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The document examines the necessity of new financial instruments for soil remediation, as traditional liability rules often fail to address historic and cumulative environmental degradation. It highlights that the political imperative for remediation is strongest when contaminated soil or sediments immediately threaten human health and livelihoods. The report notes that remediation costs vary by project size and regional cost structures, such as fuel and labor. As part of a larger project titled 'Financing Models for Soil Remediation,' this specific report focuses on seven cases to analyze the application of different financing measures.

The report explores how to attract private capital for soil remediation by leveraging the increase in land retail price and business opportunities following cleanup. It provides 17 case studies on blended finance instruments, noting that private participation is less compelling when land value capture is low or revenue streams are uncertain, necessitating public funding. This work is part of a broader project to utilize green finance vehicles to manage risk and fund soil remediation.

The document argues that empowering women in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) requires a holistic approach combining economic, social, technical, and political interventions. Key recommendations include literacy and awareness campaigns to challenge traditional norms, technical and leadership training to reduce dependency on men, and the provision of gender-sensitive financial services and equipment. It emphasizes the need for legislative reforms, such as mandatory gender-impact assessments within environmental impact assessments, and the promotion of women-led cooperatives and associations to improve market access and governance.

The report evaluates the mining policy framework of the Kyrgyz Republic against international best practices. It identifies strengths in the tax regime and the availability of geological information, but highlights significant gaps in mine closure regulations, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) oversight, and the predictability of the fiscal environment. The assessment recommends prioritizing the optimization of socio-economic benefits and the development of robust financial guarantees for mine closure.

The assessment finds that while Namibia has strong geological data and a fair revenue system, it suffers from outdated legislation, particularly regarding mine closure, water management, and occupational health and safety. The report recommends prioritizing the creation of mandatory financial assurances for mine closure and updating the legal framework for environmental and artisanal mining.

The document highlights how climate change threatens energy infrastructure through extreme weather and shifting environmental conditions, which can jeopardize the financial viability of projects. It advocates for a resilience-based approach—focusing on robustness, resourcefulness, and recovery—and suggests a combination of technological, green, behavioural, and financial strategies to safeguard energy systems and support NDC mitigation goals.

The report explores how jurisdictions can cooperate through 'carbon pricing clubs' to link carbon pricing instruments (CPIs) and reduce emissions cost-effectively. By analyzing non-climate institutions—specifically APEC, MTCR, OECD, and IFTA—the authors identify key governance dimensions: membership rules, decision-making processes, and compliance mechanisms. The report argues that 'hard coordination' and exclusive membership are essential for maintaining environmental integrity, while centralized secretariats can reduce administrative burdens and facilitate technical alignment. It concludes that a combination of strict accession criteria, peer-review processes, and flexible decision-making (such as majority voting) can help clubs adapt to changing political and economic circumstances while safeguarding their environmental goals.

The document examines the transition from a linear to a circular economy, highlighting its potential to create jobs and increase GDP. It synthesizes projections from various international bodies, noting that while Europe has extensive data suggesting net job gains in recycling and services, Canada's 'environmental and clean technology' sector employs approximately 274,000 people as of 2016, though its growth lags behind the broader economy.

The report identifies that Canada remains a significant provider of oil and gas subsidies within the G7. It details various federal tax deductions and direct funding programs for the industry, noting that while some subsidies appeared to decrease between 2015 and 2016, this was largely due to low oil prices and accounting practices rather than complete elimination. The authors argue that these fiscal supports create a risk of stranded assets and undermine the transition to renewable energy.

The document argues that Canada remains a significant provider of fossil fuel subsidies among G7 nations, despite some reforms. It details various federal mechanisms of support, including tax deductions for exploration and development, and direct funding for innovation and carbon capture. The report highlights that the apparent decrease in subsidies between 2013 and 2016 was largely due to low oil prices and accounting practices that allow companies to defer tax deductions, rather than a complete elimination of support. It further argues that these subsidies are incompatible with Canada's climate goals and the need for a just transition for workers.

The report examines the role of economic instruments in leveraging private investment for clean energy in India, Mexico, and Indonesia. It analyzes the impact of India's GST reform, Mexico's Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) market, and Indonesia's fossil fuel subsidy reforms, concluding that economic policies must be aligned with international climate commitments to effectively signal and incentivize private sector investment.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) critiques the International Energy Charter's draft Model Investment Dispute Prevention and Management Protocol, asserting that the instrument overreaches legally and could increase legal jeopardy for states in arbitration contexts. While supporting the development of internal state procedures for dispute management, IISD argues these should be based on guidance and good practice rather than a rigid legal instrument.

The report critiques Canada's historical reliance on an investment protection and liberalization model, specifically the use of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms. It highlights how these frameworks have led to costly arbitrations against the Canadian government and limited the policy space of developing countries. While noting minor procedural shifts in CETA, the author contends that current treaties remain one-sided and recommends that upcoming public consultations on the model FIPA focus on promoting sustainable investment and corporate accountability rather than marginal procedural fixes.

The report analyzes the current state of soil pollution in China and evaluates several financing models for remediation, including 'Remediation + Development', 'Polluter Pays', Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), green bonds, industrial funds, and the 'land ticket' system. It highlights a significant funding gap, noting that while the market is growing, the costs of remediation—potentially reaching dozens of trillion yuan—far exceed current government allocations. The document identifies critical barriers such as unclear historical pollution responsibility, a lack of specialized soil pollution laws, and the high risk and low return of remediation projects. It recommends transitioning from purely government-funded models to diversified, mixed-fund structures that leverage social capital and innovative green finance instruments.

The report argues that ecosystem management, particularly regarding 'wicked problems' like toxic algal blooms, is hindered by lagging scientific adoption of mature commercial technologies. It proposes a 'fintech gearbox' approach, combining the Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time data collection, big data for managing volume and variety, artificial intelligence (AI) for revealing hidden patterns, and blockchain for ensuring data integrity and trust. The author emphasizes that while these technologies offer significant potential for predictive modeling and sustainable supply chains, their success depends on overcoming cultural barriers in academia and government regarding open data sharing.

The report examines Kenya's efforts to integrate gender and climate change into water resource management. It highlights a strong legislative foundation, including the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Water Act 2016, which mandate gender representation and inclusive governance. However, it identifies significant gaps in implementation, such as limited women's land ownership, insufficient gender-disaggregated data, and a lack of targeted funding for women in climate adaptation. The document also details the impact of climate change on Kenya's water-scarce environment, particularly in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), and evaluates the role of institutions like the National Gender and Equality Commission and the Water Resources Authority in promoting inclusive water governance.

The report analyzes the role of economic instruments in mobilizing private investment for clean energy in Indonesia, Mexico, and India. It examines specific mechanisms such as Indonesia's fossil fuel subsidy reforms, Mexico's Clean Energy Certificates (CELs), and India's Goods and Services Tax (GST), highlighting how these policies can either facilitate or obstruct the transition to renewable energy.

The document outlines a dialogue between stakeholders on the necessity of a managed decline of Canada's oil and gas sector to avoid the economic and social disruptions of an unmanaged collapse. It emphasizes that climate leadership for wealthy fossil fuel producers requires ending production expansion and implementing supply-side policies. Key discussions focus on the need for a dedicated transition fund, the reform of fossil fuel subsidies and Alberta's low royalty regimes, and the importance of participatory planning that protects workers and communities. The paper argues that a comprehensive policy portfolio—combining demand-side carbon pricing with supply-side production limits—is essential for Canada to meet its global fair share of emissions reductions.

The report explores the integration of 'fintech' (IoT, big data, AI, and blockchain) into environmental science to address water challenges exacerbated by climate change. Through case studies like the Jefferson Project and Copernicus, it demonstrates how real-time data and advanced analytics enable early warning systems, fill critical data gaps, and inform sustainable decision-making in watersheds, agriculture, and urban environments.

The document describes Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) as artificial platforms that enable aquatic emergent plants to grow in deep water. These systems are designed to treat wastewater, industrial contaminants, and storm water runoff by transforming pollutants into harmless byproducts. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is currently exploring the application of FTWs in Canada and at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area.