Articles
Insights
Sustainable development is a broad, complex field with many overlapping, interconnected issues. It can be hard to stay on top of where progress is being made, what new issues are emerging, and how current events are shifting us in new directions. IISD’s experts have the insight you need.
The Final Countdown: How Canada can end fossil fuel subsidies this year
The conversation on ending fossil fuel subsidies in Canada has been hanging like a dark cloud over the country, with years of pledges failing to lead to concrete action. But the skies may finally clear in the coming months with the release of Canada's long-awaited subsidies framework and policy.
Last Call for the Global Stocktake
The 2023 Bonn Climate Change Conference will be the last opportunity for countries and relevant stakeholders to provide inputs into the two-year Global Stocktake process. What are our expectations on adaptation?
Uncovering the Value of Sustainable Transport Investments
Using a case study in Coimbatore, India, IISD demonstrates the importance of recognizing, valuing, and reflecting the full economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of a transport project in infrastructure decision-making.
Deep Dives
The world’s greatest challenges don’t always have simple answers. Going beyond the surface is critical when it comes to solving global problems. Our experts know how important it is to look back at history and consider the big picture if we want to find solutions that work.
The Road to Sustainable Transport Infrastructure: Why cost-benefit analyses need to integrate gender
Using a case study in Coimbatore, India, we explore how and why gender considerations should be included in transport infrastructure decisions and the cost-benefit analysis process.
The Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement
With over 100 World Trade Organization members pushing to wrap up negotiations for an Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, what would the actual accord mean for investment governance and sustainable development?
GTAGA: The Global Trade and Gender Arrangement, decoded
The Global Trade and Gender Arrangement has been heralded by many as "ground-breaking," a "landmark," and an innovative and comprehensive initiative. But is it really? What does it add to trade and gender provisions in existing agreements and how far can it go to redress gender inequalities in participating countries?
Explainers
We can’t make progress on sustainable development if we don’t understand it. Research papers and textbooks don’t always speak in plain language, which makes it hard to learn about the nuances of environmental negotiations or get clarity on what counts as a fossil fuel subsidy. IISD experts are here to help.
Could the Energy Crunch in Bangladesh Have Been Avoided?
As the Bangladesh government implements the highest increase in fuel prices in 20 years and rations power supplies, we ask our energy experts Tara Laan and Shruti Sharma if the crisis could have been avoided and how the energy system can be reformed.
Solutions in Nature: Lessons from Fiji and Timor-Leste
Many countries are already using ecosystem-based adaptation to help build resilience to the impacts of climate change. In order to maximize its uptake and benefits, it is critical to integrate these actions into a country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.
What Is the Energy Charter Treaty?
The Energy Charter Treaty is an outdated investment treaty that is threatening to protect fossil fuel investors at the expense of critical climate action.
Policy Analysis
To put it simply, this is a space for our policy experts to wonk out—after all, some issues can only be tackled with technical expertise on niche subjects. IISD's team understands the importance of effective commentary and the ways in which it can lead to transformative policy change in the real world.
Fostering Cooperation on Sustainable Agriculture and Trade at the WTO
Christophe Bellmann discusses new windows of opportunity at the intersection of agriculture and trade to address sustainability challenges and advance cooperation at the World Trade Organization.
WTO Members Should Avoid Export Restrictions on Fertilizers to Deliver on Food Security
Facundo Calvo overviews the recent economic trends of agricultural fertilizers and suggests strategies to facilitate fertilizer trade in order for the World Trade Organization to deliver on food security.
International Trade and Artificial Intelligence: Is trade policy ready for Chat GPT?
Pascal Krummenacher discusses the challenges that artificial intelligence poses to trade policy and looks to the World Trade Organization in its ability to respond.
Success Stories
For 30 years, IISD has worked to fulfill a bold commitment to the world: advancing development that balances economic, social and environmental priorities. Here are just some of the ways we're making an impact.
A Global Deal to Tackle Harmful Fisheries Subsidies: A look behind the scenes
In June 2022, World Trade Organization members reached a historic deal tackling harmful fisheries subsidies. We unpack how a global campaign by environmental non-governmental organizations and technical policy and legal advice from trade experts in Geneva helped make a difference.
Envisioning Resilience: Bringing underrepresented women's voices into planning for climate change adaptation
Meaningful participation by women who are on the front lines of climate change is essential for gender-responsive, locally led adaptation. However, in many contexts, women remain underrepresented in decision making, from local to national levels.
Getting Their Fair Share: Capacity building on mining taxation pays dividends for Mongolia
When the Mongolian government saw it was not getting its fair share of revenues from the mining sector, it sought support so it could collect unpaid taxes and become better equipped to safeguard the public’s financial interests.