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This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) evaluates the costs and economic benefits of 10 water retention projects implemented between 2014 and 2020 in the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District of Manitoba. The analysis finds that for livestock producers, the average benefit-cost ratio is 3.16, with benefits including improved water quality, extended grazing, and reduced operational costs. While most projects showed a positive return on investment, those on crop-only farms were more likely to have costs outweighing benefits due to high upfront construction expenses.

This case study describes a pilot initiative by the NAP Global Network and Lensational to integrate the perspectives of underrepresented women into the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes of Ghana and Kenya. By using visual storytelling and photography, the project aimed to bridge the gap between grassroots experiences and national policy-making to ensure gender-responsive climate adaptation.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes how the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) can implement the Glasgow Statement to end international public finance for fossil fuels and redirect those funds toward clean energy.

An IISD analysis of global climate pathways concludes that developing new oil and gas fields and new fossil import infrastructure in Europe is incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, suggesting a shift toward wind and solar capacity.

This policy brief from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that providing government financial support for the decarbonization of Canada's oil and gas sector is an ineffective use of public funds. The document asserts that the industry possesses sufficient windfall profits to fund its own emissions reductions and that public subsidies risk prolonging the lifespan of fossil fuel projects, creating stranded assets, and slowing the transition to renewable energy. It specifically critiques the reliance on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) as a high-cost, low-impact solution and advocates for redirecting public investment toward proven low-carbon technologies like wind, solar, and grid electrification.

This technical brief explores the interconnections between biodiversity and climate change adaptation, specifically focusing on how to create synergies between National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to improve policy coherence and resource efficiency.

The report 'Navigating Energy Transitions: Mapping the road to 1.5°C' analyzes various climate and energy pathways to determine the requirements for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. It focuses on the necessary phase-out of fossil fuels, the scale-up of renewables, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on energy systems, specifically regarding Europe's reliance on Russian gas.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) issued a statement mourning the passing of Ciata Bishop, an international trade and investment lawyer and advisor who advocated for sustainable investment and the involvement of affected communities.

This report provides a legal assessment of the June 24, 2022, agreement in principle to reform the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), concluding that the proposed modernization is insufficient to support global climate action goals or the energy transition.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that Canada can enhance its energy security by transitioning from volatile fossil fuel markets to a renewable-based electrified system. It asserts that wind and solar are now more cost-effective than gas or coal and that Canada's existing hydroelectric capacity provides the necessary flexibility to integrate variable renewable energy without compromising grid reliability.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) should sign the Glasgow Statement on International Public Support for the Clean Energy Transition. The authors suggest that by redirecting its average annual fossil fuel investments of EUR 741 million toward clean energy, the EBRD could increase its annual clean energy financing by 50%. The brief recommends that the EBRD implement a robust fossil fuel exclusion policy, specifically targeting gas infrastructure, to align with the 1.5°C warming limit of the Paris Agreement.

This research paper by Sisi Tang explores how China can transition its economic relationship with Latin America from expansion to sustainable development. The author proposes three specific mechanisms to enhance climate action: the implementation of clean energy crediting mechanisms, the use of debt-for-climate swaps, and the negotiation of 'greener' free trade agreements (FTAs).

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is a flexible, non-traditional economic initiative launched by the United States in May 2022 with 13 partner countries. Unlike traditional free trade agreements, the IPEF eschews tariff liberalization and market access, focusing instead on four pillars: a connected economy, a resilient economy, a clean economy, and a fair economy. While the initiative aims to reassert U.S. influence in the region, it faces challenges regarding the willingness of partners to commit to high standards and criticisms over the lack of U.S. concessions.

This research paper by Simon Evenett analyzes whether the COVID-19 pandemic created a 'new normal' in global trade policy. Using data from the Global Trade Alert (GTA) database, the author examines the volume and nature of commercial policy interventions between 2020 and 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels. The analysis finds that while the total volume of policy interventions increased, the overall proportion of trade-distorting measures remained stable, though there was a significant spike in export bans and corporate subsidies.

This document is a submission to a consultation process regarding the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) signed between Switzerland and Indonesia on May 24, 2022. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes selected articles of the agreement, noting that while it contains major innovations and aligns with a 'new generation' of IPAs, certain problematic areas require improvement based on international best practices.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that global oil demand is poised for a steep decline by 2030, driven primarily by the electrification of road transport and intensifying climate policies. The document analyzes scenarios from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to suggest that Canada, as a major oil exporter, must plan for a shrinking global market.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that the modernized Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) text, released on September 12, 2022, fails to resolve critical issues regarding fossil fuel carveouts and entry timing, creating legal uncertainty for governments implementing climate measures aligned with the Paris Agreement.

This report analyzes the intersection of artisanal and small-scale gold mining, illicit financial flows, and conflict in the border regions of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, providing policy recommendations to strengthen governance and reduce crime.

This policy brief argues that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is an insufficient measure of success and a barrier to financing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It advocates for G20 countries to adopt inclusive wealth indicators by 2025 to better account for long-term sustainability and human wellbeing.

The report argues that G20 countries must move beyond GDP as the primary measure of national progress to ensure an inclusive economic recovery and effective climate action. It proposes a stock-flow approach to measuring wellbeing that incorporates economic, environmental, social, and human factors, emphasizing that long-term wellbeing is determined by a portfolio of inclusive wealth rather than market income.