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This fact sheet by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines strategies for securing water resources and adapting to climate change in dryland communities. It highlights the vulnerability of these regions to desertification and climate change, and provides two case studies from India and Sudan that demonstrate how community-led ecosystem management and restoration can build resilience against drought and environmental degradation.

This fact sheet describes the vulnerability of tropical hillside communities to environmental degradation and climate change, focusing on the PASOLAC program in Central America. PASOLAC implements Sustainable Soil and Water Management (SSWM) techniques to increase agricultural productivity and resilience against droughts and floods in Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador.

This briefing paper outlines a conceptual framework for climate change adaptation that focuses on reducing the vulnerability of poor communities by strengthening sustainable livelihoods through ecosystem management and restoration.

This report details the outcomes of a three-day workshop on 'Supporting Protected Areas in Times of Violent Conflict' held during the 5th IUCN World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, in September 2003. Co-organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) under a UNDP-supported initiative, the workshop focused on the bidirectional relationship between protected areas and violent conflict, identifying best practices for management during crises and the role of conservation in peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the state of research on the interface between trade and the environment. Based on a survey of 315 publications from 2002 to 2003 and consultations with an expert group, the document identifies significant gaps in current research—particularly regarding developing countries and specific WTO negotiating options—and proposes a new research agenda to better support sustainable development.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the complexities of trade-related subsidies, focusing on the divide between developed and developing nations. It argues that current WTO indicators for measuring subsidies are inadequate for resolving trade disputes and proposes the use of 'terms-of-trade' as a more effective metric. The document provides detailed case studies on the subsidy regimes and trade impacts in India, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and Brazil, highlighting how subsidies in OECD countries often harm the economies of developing nations, particularly in agriculture.

This executive summary examines the domestic import regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) across various global regions and analyzes their compatibility with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. It highlights the contrast between the stringent regulatory regimes in the European Union and the more flexible approach in the United States, while also detailing the emerging biosafety frameworks in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The document specifically evaluates potential legal conflicts regarding mandatory labelling, traceability, and the 'precautionary principle' within the context of WTO agreements such as the SPS and TBT Agreements.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development in August 2003, analyzes the intersection of agricultural trade and sustainable development in Central America. It characterizes the region's agricultural structure, examines trade trends and projections, evaluates the environmental impacts of key agro-industrial activities, and discusses the role of international trade negotiations (WTO, CAFTA, and FTAA) in shaping support mechanisms for sustainable farming.

This executive summary by Dr. Charles Benbrook for the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the economic and environmental impacts of first-generation genetically modified (GM) crops, specifically Roundup Ready (RR) soy, Bt cotton, and Bt corn, with a focus on lessons from the United States and Argentina.

This executive summary by the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) examines the role of WTO 'Green Box' support measures in China's agricultural transition following its 2001 accession to the WTO. It analyzes how China can utilize non-trade-distorting support to achieve sustainable development and structural adjustment while arguing that current WTO rules are biased toward developed nations.

This executive summary of a Pakistan case study examines the economic and social impacts of complying with international environmental standards in the leather and textile sectors. It argues that while environmental regulations can act as trade barriers, they also provide opportunities for efficiency gains and new market niches, concluding that developing countries must comply to maintain export shares.

This executive summary analyzes the use of agri-environmental and rural development measures within the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework, specifically focusing on the 'Green Box' of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA). It examines the practices of the 'Quad' countries (EU, Canada, US, and Japan) and evaluates the potential impacts of the Doha Round negotiations on developing countries' ability to support food security and rural development.

This executive summary examines the shrimp farming industry in Bangladesh, focusing on the challenges of implementing Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) standards and the resulting social and environmental risks.

This executive summary analyzes the rapid adoption of transgenic crops in Argentina during the 1990s, focusing on the exceptional success of glyphosate-tolerant (RR) soybeans compared to Bt corn and cotton. It examines the intersection of macroeconomic reforms, the adoption of no-till farming, and specific institutional factors that drove this transition, while highlighting regulatory gaps and the need for national biotechnological research.

This report by Konrad von Moltke for the Commonwealth Secretariat argues for the creation of a Cotonou Investment Agreement to amplify the investment provisions of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA). The author contends that existing bilateral investment treaties (BITs) are too narrow, focusing primarily on investor protection without empirical evidence of benefiting developing countries. The proposed agreement would balance investor rights with host state development goals, incorporate principles of good governance, and establish a Cotonou Investment Fund and an Observatory for ACP Investment to monitor progress toward sustainable development and poverty eradication in ACP countries.

This report, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the Commonwealth Secretariat, provides a strategic framework for negotiating a Cotonou Investment Agreement. It argues that investment agreements must balance investor rights with the sustainable development goals of ACP countries, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and the need for regional institutional support over traditional bilateral investment treaties.

This research paper analyzes the environmental implications of NAFTA'S Chapter 11, arguing that its broad definitions of 'SSSS and expansive interpretations of investor protections may undermine public welfare and the right of governments to regulate for health, safety, and the environment.

This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the status of agricultural negotiations following the Doha Ministerial Declaration. It outlines the 'Doha Mandate' for market access, export subsidies, and domestic support, while highlighting the deep divisions between developed nations, the Cairns Group, and the Like-minded Group of developing countries regarding the implementation and definition of these commitments.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) details the status of negotiations within the WTO TRIPs Council regarding intellectual property rights, public health, and geographical indications following the 2001 Doha Declaration.

This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the progress of the WTO Negotiating Group on Rules following the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha. It examines the divisions between developed and developing nations regarding anti-dumping measures, subsidies—specifically fisheries subsidies—and the governance of regional trade agreements (RTAs).