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This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the tensions between South Africa's reliance on coal for energy security and its commitments to climate change mitigation. It analyzes the dominance of the state utility Eskom, the challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and the potential for regional energy cooperation within Southern Africa to diversify the electricity supply mix.

This report examines the complex interlinkages between trade, climate change, and food security in mainland Southeast Asia, with a detailed case study on Cambodia. It argues that food insecurity in the region persists despite surplus rice production due to structural economic weaknesses and vulnerability to external shocks. The author advocates for a holistic, participatory, and long-term policy approach to mitigate the risks posed by climate change and volatile global markets.

This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines how trade facilitation measures at multilateral, regional, and subregional levels impact the illegal wildlife and timber trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). It analyzes the tension between economic growth driven by infrastructure and trade ease and the resulting depletion of biodiversity, providing recommendations for policymakers to mitigate environmental risks.

This policy brief outlines the necessary components for implementing a multilateral, global program to reform fossil-fuel subsidies, following widespread support for phasing out such subsidies by the G-20 and other entities in late 2009.

This commentary discusses the role of international market mechanisms in facilitating greenhouse gas emission reductions and their potential to influence future international climate agreements and development processes, with a specific focus on the needs of Canada.

This research paper analyzes the environmental impacts of China's electrical power sector and explores how a sustainable trade strategy can be linked to energy policy. It details China's heavy reliance on coal, the resulting pollution, and the regulatory frameworks used to manage these effects. The document also surveys international best practices in low-carbon energy policy—including economic and regulatory instruments—and suggests policy options for China to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

This 2009 research paper examines the energy relationships between Canada, the United States, and Mexico, focusing on how their integrated energy infrastructure and differing regulatory regimes impact climate change policy. It details the energy profiles of each nation, discusses the role of agencies like the NEB and FERC, and identifies potential trade frictions such as 'Buy American' rules and low-carbon fuel standards. The author proposes three policy scenarios for 2020, concluding that a 'bottom-up' approach with increasing bilateral linkages between Canada and the U.S. is the most probable outcome.

This report examines the risks associated with "peak phosphorus"—the point when demand for rock phosphate exceeds supply—and its implications for global food security and water quality. It focuses on the Lake Winnipeg Basin as a case study for extreme eutrophication and proposes a transition toward phosphorus stewardship through nutrient recovery, recycling, and improved agricultural practices to reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers.

This report, written by an IISD consultant, evaluates the 'Istanbul version' of the OECD's Checklist for Private Sector Participation in Water Infrastructure released in March 2009. While acknowledging improvements over previous versions, the author argues that the checklist remains of limited operational value for practitioners due to internal contradictions, a failure to address systemic risks of international investment arbitration, and an over-reliance on outdated theoretical models regarding decentralization and regulation.

This national report provides a global overview of economic and environmental aspects in Ecuador, focusing on international trade and investment regimes. It analyzes the positive and negative impacts of five key economic sectors—floriculture, shrimp, timber, tourism, and mining—and proposes policy measures to align trade with environmental protection.

A letter from the Green Economy Coalition to G-20 Ministers of Finance urging the urgent implementation of the phase-out of fossil-fuel subsidies to combat climate change and support sustainable development.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the application of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) in sustainable public procurement, arguing that its non-systematic use leads to suboptimal procurement policies.

This policy brief discusses the results of a rapid trade and environment assessment in Namibia, highlighting the risk that climate change concerns among international tourists—particularly from Europe—could damage the national tourism economy. It argues that Namibia must move beyond 'business as usual' to become a world-leading destination by implementing a national policy on climate change and tourism, promoting carbon-neutral products, and integrating climate considerations into existing regulatory bodies and development plans.

This policy brief examines the role of green labelling, eco-certification, and fair trade in Namibia, identifying them as both competitive advantages for high-value niche markets and potential barriers to trade due to certification costs.

This policy brief examines the economic opportunities and challenges for Namibia in aligning its red meat sector with European Union sanitary requirements. It emphasizes that while such harmonization can drive economic growth, it must be integrated with land-use planning and conservation to protect wildlife-based livelihoods. The brief also suggests a transboundary risk-management zone with Angola to address livestock pressures in northern rangelands.

A policy brief summarizing a rapid trade and environment assessment for Namibia, emphasizing the need for high-value niche sector strategies and cross-sectoral coordination to achieve Vision 2030 goals.

This 2009 report by IISD, CDC, and Saferworld analyzes how climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' in northern Kenya, exacerbating resource-based conflicts among pastoralist communities. It highlights a critical gap between Kenya's climate response and its peacebuilding policies, recommending a conflict-sensitive approach to climate adaptation, the enactment of the National Land Policy, and the strengthening of state security to reduce reliance on privatized security agents.

This case study examines the environmental information infrastructure supporting lentil production and conservation tillage in Canada, specifically within the Prairie region. It analyzes how information flows between farmers, researchers, and organizations to manage soil fertility and erosion, while identifying gaps between farm-level informal monitoring and national-level formal reporting.

This report, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in November 2009, provides a technical and strategic analysis of the negotiations surrounding Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) leading up to the COP 15 summit in Copenhagen. It examines the evolving scope of REDD, financing options, measurement and verification systems, and the institutional frameworks required to implement these mechanisms in developing countries.

The document is a promotional description of the book 'Creating Adaptive Policies: A Guide for Policy-making in an Uncertain World', which provides a practical toolkit for policy-makers to apply principles of complex adaptive systems and adaptive management to address global economic, social, and environmental crises.