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This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines the progress and obstacles regarding trade and environment mandates following the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference (Doha). It details negotiations on the relationship between WTO rules and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), the liberalisation of environmental goods and services, and non-negotiating mandates such as market access and labelling.

This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the progress of the WTO Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance (WGTDF). Established by the Doha Ministerial Declaration, the group aims to analyze how the multilateral trading system can help resolve the external indebtedness of developing and least-developed countries and improve coherence between trade and international financial policies.

This research paper reviews the ongoing debate within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding environmental labelling (eco-labels). It identifies structural obstacles, such as the lack of negotiating authority in the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE), and substantive obstacles, such as the legal status of non-product-related process and production methods (nprPPMs). The paper highlights how issues like GMO labelling and labour standards complicate negotiations and emphasizes the critical need for technical assistance for developing countries to prevent eco-labels from becoming tools of "green protectionism."

This report analyzes the adoption and impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Argentine agriculture from the 1990s to 2003. It details the rapid expansion of glyphosate-tolerant soybean, the regulatory framework managed by CONABIA, and the socio-economic shifts resulting from structural reforms and technological intensification. The document evaluates the distribution of benefits between producers and multinational seed companies, the environmental effects of the 'no-till' (siembra directa) system, and the challenges posed by illegal seed markets ('bolsa blanca').

This research paper introduces MARKAL-Equity, a model developed to assess the distributional impacts of meeting Kyoto Protocol emission targets on different income groups in Canada's residential sector. The study finds that low-income households are the most vulnerable to energy price increases, experiencing the greatest reductions in energy service demand and consumption, and lacking the financial capacity to switch to more efficient technologies compared to middle- and high-income groups.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the potential conflicts and synergies between the WTO's TRIPS Agreement on intellectual property and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It analyzes how patent laws regarding biological resources, technology transfer, and traditional knowledge intersect with national sovereignty and the goal of equitable benefit sharing.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the debate within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding trade facilitation (TF). It explores the tension between developed countries and business groups seeking legally binding rules to reduce border delays and costs, and developing countries concerned about the administrative burdens, potential for dispute resolution penalties, and the impact on national standards and environmental agreements.

This briefing paper examines the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) within the WTO framework, focusing on its structure, the challenges of reaching consensus, and its implications for sustainable development and developing countries.

This 2003 research paper examines the linkages between the information society and sustainable development, arguing that policy coherence is needed between these two often-isolated fields. It identifies six analytical frameworks: environmental information systems (EIS), eco-efficiency and innovation, negative environmental impacts of ICT, modifying consumer demand, public participation, and poverty reduction. While highlighting benefits like dematerialization, transport efficiency, and poverty mapping, the paper warns of the 'rebound effect' and toxic waste from ICT products.

This research paper analyzes the economic and environmental impacts of first-generation genetically modified (GM) crops, specifically Roundup Ready (RR) soybeans, Bt cotton, and Bt corn, with a focus on the United States and Argentina. The author examines adoption rates, pesticide use, and yield data, concluding that while some environmental benefits exist—such as reduced soil erosion from no-till systems—the technology has led to increased herbicide volumes, 'yield drag' in RR soybeans, and emerging ecological risks including weed resistance and soil microbial shifts.

This report details a Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (PCIA) mission conducted in October 2002 to evaluate the impact of the Livestock Sector Support Program (PASEL) on reducing conflicts between farmers and herders in the Maradi region of Niger. The mission analyzed how PASEL's strategies—such as securing transhumance corridors and promoting intensive livestock farming—addressed resource competition and systemic inequalities.

This research paper by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) examines the economic and social impacts of complying with international environmental standards on Pakistan's leather and textile export sectors. It analyzes the trade-off between the costs of mitigation and the benefits of market access, identifying 'win-win' scenarios where cleaner production leads to efficiency gains and pollution reduction.

This briefing paper assesses the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held from 26 August to 4 September 2002 in Johannesburg. It details the resulting political declarations, implementation plans, and partnership commitments, while analyzing the political tensions between developed and developing nations regarding renewable energy targets, corporate accountability, and the role of the WTO in environmental governance.

This research paper examines agri-environmental and rural development programs within the WTO framework, specifically focusing on the 'Green Box' of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA). It analyzes the practices of the 'Quad' countries (EU, US, Canada, and Japan) and evaluates how the Doha Round negotiations might impact the ability of developing countries to implement similar sustainable agriculture policies.

This briefing paper, written by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation's (CEC) Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC), analyzes the environmental implications of NAFTA's Chapter 11. The author argues that the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, originally designed for commercial protection, has become a tool for challenging non-commercial public interest regulations, creating risks for national environmental management.

This fact sheet describes the work and results of the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) North America project, culminating in the June 2002 final report 'Towards Change'. The project aimed to identify how the North American mining and minerals industry could move toward sustainable development through collaborative research, scenario planning, and a sustainability assessment framework.

This research paper, prepared for a Royal Institute of International Affairs conference, examines the implications of the Doha Ministerial Declaration's commitment to sustainable development. The author argues that achieving this objective requires a fundamental shift in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) institutional structure, moving beyond narrow commercial goals toward integrated impact assessments and increased transparency.

The evaluation of the Sustainable Development Communications Network (1996-2001) finds that the network successfully established the SD Gateway as a leading global portal for sustainable development knowledge, particularly for the global south, and effectively built the communications capacity of its members through collaborative projects. However, it faced challenges with institutional priorities overriding network goals and a lack of member-led fundraising. The report recommends shifting to a 'community of practice' model focused on individual practitioners rather than institutional membership.

This report summarizes an electronic consultation facilitated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) from May 6 to June 11, 2002, on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD). The consultation, involving over 475 participants, explored the nature, planning, communication, evaluation, and long-term support of partnerships for sustainable development as a contribution to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).

This fact sheet describes the activities and strategic objectives of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Climate Change and Energy Team as of October 2001. The team focuses on mitigation strategies, adaptation, capacity building for developing countries, and the integration of energy policy into the climate change agenda.