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This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes policy options for addressing competitiveness and carbon leakage resulting from differential climate change policies and measures (PAMs). It evaluates the economic and environmental effectiveness of border carbon adjustments (BCAs), free allowance allocations, and sectoral approaches, while examining their legality under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and their political implications for developed and developing nations.

This case study analyzes the development of wind power in Egypt as of March 2009, examining the economic and institutional barriers to scaling up clean energy investment in a country that is a net exporter of fossil fuels. It evaluates the wind resource potential, compares the levelized costs of wind against natural gas combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT), and outlines the necessary regulatory and strategic conditions required to transition from donor-funded projects to private-sector investment.

This briefing paper examines the economic, legal, and geopolitical challenges of implementing Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs) to address industrial competitiveness and carbon leakage. It analyzes the tension between unilateral trade measures and international climate principles, specifically the UNFCCC's principle of common but differentiated responsibility.

This research paper examines the economic relationship between Indonesia and the European Union following the July 2009 signing of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), highlighting the challenges Indonesia faces in pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (IEUFTA) due to economic imbalances and differing views on trade liberalization.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides an overview of the status of international climate change negotiations as of September 2009, focusing on the outcomes of the Bonn II and Bonn III talks. It details the progress and divergences across the four pillars of the Bali Action Plan—mitigation, adaptation, technology, and financing—as member countries of the UNFCCC worked toward a post-2012 emission reduction regime to be adopted at COP 15 in Copenhagen.

This text is an excerpt from an article by Halle, intended for publication in "Peace and Prosperity through Global Trade," which argues that the current structure of national and global economies undermines the goals of trade liberalization and requires a systemic retooling of the trading system.

This policy brief examines China's strategic investments in bauxite mining and infrastructure within Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, highlighting the lack of regulatory oversight and the potential for significant transboundary environmental impacts.

This research paper evaluates the 'price-gap approach' for measuring fossil fuel subsidies, arguing that while it provides a useful global benchmark, it systematically understates the total magnitude of government support by ignoring transfers that do not affect end-user prices.

This report analyzes the legal risks host states face when international investment agreements (IIAs) allow investors to 'internationalize' contract disputes, engage in forum-shopping, or initiate multiple legal proceedings. It examines the impact of broadly-worded dispute resolution clauses, umbrella clauses, and fork-in-the-road clauses, providing a survey of IIA drafting trends and arbitral jurisprudence to recommend best practices for protecting state sovereignty.

This policy brief, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in August 2009, examines climate-related vulnerability and adaptive capacity among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the Borana and Shinile zones of Ethiopia. Based on a 2009 study, the document details how increasing temperatures, drought frequency, and unpredictable rainfall are rendering traditional coping strategies ineffective, leading to food insecurity and environmental degradation. It provides specific recommendations for the Ethiopian government, civil society, and international donors to enhance resilience through community-led interventions, improved infrastructure, and better climate information sharing.

This report advocates for the renewal of the Internet Governance Forum's (IGF) mandate, highlighting its success as a multi-stakeholder, bottom-up model for global technology governance. It argues that the IGF has effectively defused tensions over U.S. oversight of ICANN and provided a space for developing countries to address issues like universal access and open standards. The authors suggest that the 'Internet model' of shared ownership and collaborative engagement could be applied to other critical global challenges, including climate change and sustainable development.

This research paper develops and tests indicators of adaptive capacity to climate change for agriculture across 53 Census Divisions in the Canadian Prairie region. Using a framework of six determinants—economic resources, technology, infrastructure, information/skills/management, institutions/networks, and equity—the authors created an aggregated index to identify regions of high and low adaptive capacity. The study finds that adaptive capacity is strongly correlated with proximity to urban centres and highlights a significant data gap regarding surface and groundwater resources. By comparing census-based indices with field interviews, the paper concludes that while statistical indicators provide a useful spatial perspective, site-specific research is essential for designing effective adaptation policies.

This research paper examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) influence the distribution of decision-making power within global value chains for coffee, forestry, and fisheries. Using a participatory governance framework, the authors analyze six major standards organizations to determine if these initiatives empower marginalized producers or reinforce existing power asymmetries.

This report examines the complexities of agriculture and food security in Southern Africa, identifying key drivers such as the potential for increased investment, the role of supermarkets and cold chains, and the impact of climate mitigation policies in developed nations. It highlights the potential of Genetically Modified Organisms for 'climate proofing' crops and discusses the need for infrastructure investment and transparent land access terms for foreign entities. Additionally, it notes Malawi's use of input subsidies as a potential model for the region.

The document explores 'alternative regionalism' in Southeast Asia, arguing that civil society (track-three) is essential for reforming ASEAN. It notes that while engagement has historically been limited to academics and economic actors, there is a growing demand from NGOs and CBOs for a bottom-up, institutionalized process to include the region's 550 million people in policy-making, particularly regarding human rights and economic development.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how climate change interacts with existing political tensions in the Middle East, specifically the Levant, to increase the risk of violent conflict through water scarcity, food insecurity, and economic instability.

This report details a March 2009 pilot workshop in Vancouver, British Columbia, hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and supported by Industry Canada. The session engaged 32 diverse Canadian stakeholders to explore the future of the Internet and its implications for sustainability, social cohesion, and governance. The workshop used four scenarios—Government-regulated, Unregulated market, VIPnet, and Internet commons—to identify critical uncertainties and formulate policy recommendations for the Canadian government.

This document consists of the front matter and organizational information for a report titled 'rising temperatures, rising tensions' published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in June 2009. It provides details on the publisher's mission, funding sources, and contact information, but does not contain the substantive findings of the report.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of international carbon market mechanisms within the context of negotiations for a post-2012 climate change agreement. It reviews the existing Kyoto Protocol instruments—International Emissions Trading (IET), Joint Implementation (JI), and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)—and explores potential expansions or new mechanisms, such as sectoral crediting and REDD, to enhance cost-effectiveness and engage developing countries in mitigation efforts.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides an overview of the UNFCCC climate change negotiations held in Bonn from March 29 to April 8, 2009. It details the progress and points of contention across the four pillars of the Bali Action Plan—mitigation, adaptation, technology, and financing—as countries worked toward a comprehensive post-2012 climate agreement intended for adoption at COP 15 in Copenhagen in December 2009.