Articles
Our experts weigh in on issues that are critical to sustainable development. Whether you’re looking for evidence-based policy analysis, a fresh perspective on a longstanding debate, or an easy-to-grasp explanation of a complex topic, you’ve come to the right place.
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.
Carbon Pricing in the ASEAN Region: Moving from ambition to architecture
For ASEAN policy-makers, carbon pricing is no longer simply a domestic climate policy choice. It is increasingly linked to global economic integration, trade relationships, investment flows, and industrial competitiveness.
Why the Future of Fresh Water Depends on How We Tell Its Story
When it comes to protecting fresh water like Lake Winnipeg, translating science into a compelling narrative is as important as the research itself.
What Happened in Santa Marta?
What happened at the first international conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels? IISD experts share 7 takeaways and discuss what comes next.
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 Strait of Hormuz Crisis Emphasizes Why Canada Should Move Away From Oil and Gas—Not Expand It
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz cut off roughly 25% of the world’s seaborne oil and 20% of LNG trade. In response, many countries are diversifying supply chains and increasingly ramping up domestic renewable capacity to improve energy security. Meanwhile, the Government of Canada has taken steps to expand oil and gas production.
Trade and Sustainability Review del IISD, Edición de Julio de 2026
Esta edición de la Trade and Sustainability Review analiza las repercusiones del cierre del estrecho de Ormuz desde su inicio hasta finales de mayo, extrayendo lecciones de distintos sectores y regiones para hacer frente a futuras crisis energéticas y perturbaciones comerciales.
Removing a Fossil Fuel Subsidy Is a Means, Not an End—The transition is the point
COFFIS is an international coalition working to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. Kim Solberg, part of the team that founded COFFIS, sits down to explain what made it possible—and why, in her view, a subsidy can only be removed as part of the wider transition it's meant to serve.
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.
Financing the Energy Transition: Lower capital costs matter
The global energy transition requires low-interest financing options, debt relief, and an expansion of multilateral lending.
Stalemate on the Global Goal on Adaptation in Bonn: What it means
Countries couldn’t reach an agreement on the Global Goal on Adaptation, but it doesn't change the need for them to track and assess their efforts.
Greening the Dry Environment
Cities in drylands regions can successfully implement nature-based solutions to help communities adapt to climate change.
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.
Why the Scope of Taxes Covered Will Determine the Success of the UN Framework Convention’s Services Protocol
This article analyzes the UNFCITC draft protocol on cross-border services and its ambitious proposal to cover digital service taxes and quasi-income levies.
Cierre del estrecho de Ormuz: repercusiones para la resiliencia comercial de África
David Beer analiza cómo la crisis en Oriente Medio está afectando a las cadenas de suministro africanas, al tiempo que reflexiona sobre cómo el continente podría convertir esta perturbación en beneficios duraderos para el comercio regional.
Cómo el bloqueo de Ormuz golpeó a Asia
William George y Lynn Hughes analizan cómo China, Japón y Vietnam están afrontando las consecuencias del cierre del estrecho de Ormuz y qué revela esto sobre el estado de la seguridad energética en toda Asia.
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.
Updates to UN Tax Standards Better Protect Revenues for Resource-Rich Countries
Recent revisions to the UN Model Tax Treaty could give resource-rich countries stronger tools to protect revenues from cross-border activities. The changes are the result of years of negotiations and technical work by governments, tax experts, and organizations, including the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and mark a real step toward making sure that mineral-rich countries capture a fair share of revenues from their natural resources.
Turning Tides: How women are reshaping the fisheries sector in Belize
After years of dedication and advocacy, women are now charting a new course for Belize's small-scale fisheries qith the establishment of Belize’s National Women in Fisheries Association
How a National Organic Strategy is Connecting Malagasy Farming to the World
New initiatives are helping smallholder farmers in Madagascar to achieve the scale and integrity required to get their foot in the door in international organic markets.