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.
Maintaining Peace While Building Climate Resilience: Lessons from the Central African Republic
Our NAP Global Network team interviews Mariam Amoudou Sidi for insights into how peacebuilding, conflict, and fragility can be integrated into National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, from planning to implementation.
Governments Must Live Up to Promises to Stop Funding Oil and Gas Internationally
At COP 26, 39 countries and public finance institutions signed the Glasgow Statement on International Public Support for the Clean Energy Transition. How can signatories get back on track to meet their commitments by the statement's 2022 deadline?
The Significance of Stockholm+50
Ambassador Johanna Lissinger-Peitz of Sweden explains why it matters that we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stockholm Conference and how we live up to its vision.
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 Legacies of the Stockholm Conference
Fifty years after Stockholm, we face a triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution.
The Roots of Forest Loss and Forest Governance
If lessons from past failures on deforestation are learned, forest protection could play a major role in reversing both climate change and biodiversity loss.
Pathways to Sustainable Cities
Urban planning needs to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of local communities and build on participatory approaches that foster the engagement of marginalized actors.
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.
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.
What Is Tripartite Dialogue and How Can It Help Combat the Climate Crisis in a Just Way?
In crafting the UN's Paris Agreement on climate change, world leaders say the energy transition must be a just one, meaning it should be fair and inclusive. What does this mean in practice?
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.
Realizing Responsible Investment in Agriculture: What can policy-makers in Africa learn from Southeast Asia?
Large-scale land-based agricultural investments in Africa still entail many human rights and environmental risks that could be avoided or mitigated. Why is this still happening, and how can policy-makers reverse this trend?
Cutting Gas Taxes? There Are Better Ways to Address Affordability and Provide Direct Relief
Cuts have already been far outstripped by Canada's rising gas prices, and people most in need may not own a car. Lower taxes also help fuel companies.
Global Food Crisis May Take Centre Stage at MC12 Agriculture Negotiations
IISD’s Facundo Calvo discusses the implications of the global food security crisis for agricultural negotiations at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference.
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.
Measuring Nature for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery
In the face of multiple health and environmental crises, the inefficiencies of GDP as the main measure of economic health and government policy are strikingly apparent.
Speaking Each Other’s Language
When it comes to communicating the research findings of the world's freshwater laboratory, we need to speak to communities in their own languages. Literally.
Rethinking Investment Policy to Support Sustainable Development
IISD experts are pushing for reform and offering their expertise to ensure good policy isn't held back by the threat of arbitration.