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This document is a summary of a literature review conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to analyze the sustainability impacts of Chinese Outward Direct Investment (ODI). The study aims to support the project "Promoting Sustainable Development of Chinese Enterprises for ‘Going Out’" by providing a balanced view of the impacts of Chinese companies overseas and identifying strategies to improve outcomes.

This report examines international best practices for reforming liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies, specifically focusing on the Government of Indonesia's efforts to transition from regressive fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy without compromising energy access for low-income households.

This research paper analyzes the risks facing the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in its role of overseeing Agenda 2030, arguing that it may repeat the failures of the now-defunct Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) due to its structural subordination to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The author suggests that the HLPF's success depends on meticulously preparing debates and streamlining the vast flow of national, regional, and intergovernmental reporting to avoid being overwhelmed by undigested information.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the fiscal impact of India's Direct Benefit Transfer for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (DBTL), also known as PAHAL. The document challenges claims by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) regarding subsidy savings, arguing that the program likely resulted in a net fiscal cost in FY 2014/15 due to implementation expenses and the fact that most irregular connections were blocked through prior, non-DBTL processes.

This report analyzes the subsidies provided by the United Kingdom government for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project. It argues that the combination of price guarantees, loan guarantees, and capped liabilities creates significant financial risk for the public, with total costs that are difficult to estimate due to long-term uncertainties in energy prices and the history of nuclear cost overruns.

The "Migration and Conservation in the Great Lakes Region" project developed a methodology, policy recommendations, and a toolkit to help conservation practitioners manage the impacts of human migration on biodiversity. Research conducted in Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda highlighted that in the Bale Mountains ecosystem, migration significantly drives land conversion and resource overexploitation.

This report assesses how human migration drives land conversion and resource overexploitation in the Misotshi-Kabogo ecosystem of the Democratic Republic of Congo, threatening local species and traditional livelihoods.

This report examines the impacts of human migration on ecosystems in the Great Lakes Region of East and Central Africa, focusing on case studies in Uganda, Ethiopia, and the DRC. It finds that while migration is not the sole driver of environmental degradation, it exacerbates existing issues such as overfishing in Lake Albert, deforestation in the Bale Mountains and Misotshi–Kabogo, and land-use conflicts. The report recommends that conservationists implement migration-sensitive strategies, including inclusive governance and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for both migrants and host communities.

This executive summary examines international best practices for reforming liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies to assist the Government of Indonesia in transitioning from regressive subsidies to targeted support. It analyzes various global pricing mechanisms and evaluates specific targeting strategies used in countries such as India, Peru, and El Salvador to ensure low-income households maintain access to clean cooking energy during price increases.

This executive summary examines international experiences and best practices for reforming Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) subsidies to provide policy options for Indonesia. It argues that while current LPG subsidies in Indonesia are regressive, effective targeting can transform them into a tool for promoting clean cooking for low-income households. The document outlines various global pricing mechanisms and analyzes specific targeting strategies used in several countries to mitigate the impact of price increases on vulnerable populations.

This report assesses the drivers and ecological impacts of human migration within the Misotshi–Kabogo ecosystem in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It highlights the tension between increasing population pressures—driven by conflict and economic opportunity—and the need to protect a highly biodiverse, currently unprotected region. The authors recommend the formal establishment of Ngamikka National Park with a zoned resource-use system to balance conservation with local livelihood needs.

This research paper reviews the current and planned climate change adaptation actions in Botswana. It identifies a significant gap between the country's high climate vulnerability—driven primarily by water scarcity—and the government's lack of priority, policy, and funding for adaptation. While Botswana possesses high adaptive capacity due to its economic development and governance, the report finds a dearth of national adaptation programs, with most activity occurring through regional initiatives.

This 2016 research paper reviews Ethiopia's climate change adaptation efforts, noting a historical temperature rise of 1.3°C (1960-2006) and projected further warming. It identifies high vulnerability among pastoralists and smallholder farmers and evaluates national strategies like the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy, while noting gaps in adaptation for the health, energy, and transportation sectors.

Namibia, the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, faces significant climate risks including rising temperatures and water scarcity. While the government has adopted a national climate change policy and identified six vulnerable sectors (water, agriculture, sea level rise/fisheries, tourism, health, and disaster risk management), adaptation efforts remain limited and heavily dependent on donor funding.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development reviews the current and planned climate change adaptation actions in Tanzania. It analyzes the country's vulnerability, particularly its reliance on climate-sensitive livelihoods and high poverty levels, and evaluates the national policy framework, institutional governance, and the landscape of adaptation projects and climate finance.

This research paper reviews the current and planned climate change adaptation actions in Uganda. It analyzes the country's vulnerability, particularly in semi-arid regions and the 'cattle corridor,' and evaluates the national policy framework, including the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) and National Development Plans. The report identifies a concentration of adaptation projects in the agriculture and water sectors, while noting significant gaps in the health, forestry, and fisheries sectors. It also examines the flow of international climate finance and the role of civil society networks in fostering resilience.

Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing risks from glacial melt, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events like floods and mudflows. While the country has established a Climate Change Centre and is developing a national adaptation strategy, it faces significant capacity limitations and high poverty levels. Key adaptation efforts are focused on the water, agriculture, and energy sectors, with several multi-million dollar projects funded by the SPCR and other international bodies targeting rural resilience and infrastructure climate-proofing.

This report details the results of a 2016 IISD expert meeting regarding the design of a proposed multilateral International Dispute Settlement Agency. The experts advocated for a shift from the narrow investor-state arbitration model toward an inclusive system allowing governments, investors, communities, and individuals to seek justice. The proposed framework includes a three-tiered judicial system (Judicial, Appellate, and Jurisdictional Chambers) alongside non-adversarial mechanisms like fact-finding and mediation. Key discussions centered on expanding jurisdictional scope to include human rights and environmental law, ensuring the independence and diversity of adjudicators, and establishing funding mechanisms to ensure access to justice for resource-poor stakeholders.

The Migration and Conservation Toolkit, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2016, provides a four-phase framework for conservation practitioners to assess and address the impacts of human migration on critical ecosystems. The guide emphasizes a participatory approach to understand the links between migration drivers, livelihood choices, and biodiversity loss, offering specific tools for mapping, stakeholder analysis, and the design of migration-sensitive interventions.

This statement by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Mostafa Tolba, who led the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for nearly 20 years and played a pivotal role in establishing the foundations of international environmental law.