The digital marketplace is rapidly reshaping global commerce, offering significant opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. In 2023, the global business-to-consumer e-commerce market was valued at USD 5.47 trillion and is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 19% through 2030. However, this growth also presents emerging challenges—particularly for developing countries seeking to participate effectively in the global digital economy. Central to addressing these challenges is the need to build consumer trust through robust consumer protection frameworks. 

The policy primer introduces foundational consumer rights and principles, explores their evolution in digital contexts, and examines the integration of online consumer protection provisions in trade agreements, including regional trade agreements (RTAs) and the World Trade Organization Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce. The paper also highlights the current state of consumer protection policies and challenges in developing countries, concluding with practical recommendations to guide policy-making in this area.

This report is part of a policy primer series, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), aimed at deepening understanding of the key policy and regulatory foundations that shape today's digital economy.

This is the first report of the Building Blocks of Digital Trade Regulation series. You can continue exploring the series here:

• Report No. 2: Cybersecurity and International Trade: Understanding the policy landscape
• Report No. 3: Setting International Technical Standards to Shape Digital Trade Policy: Approaches, challenges, and opportunities for developing countries
• Report No. 4: Data and Digital Trade Law: Balancing rules, policy space, and development

World governments adopted the historic Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in 2022 at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference. This landmark deal prohibits fisheries subsidies where they pose the greatest threat to sustainability. Building on that foundation, WTO members are now working to strengthen the agreement through additional disciplines aimed at tackling subsidies that encourage overfishing and overcapacity more broadly. 

The aim of these proposed rules is to ensure that government financial support to the fishing industry does not drive unsustainable levels of fishing. If adopted, these disciplines could play a vital role in safeguarding marine ecosystems and supporting the livelihoods, food security, and development prospects of communities that rely on healthy fish stocks. Despite falling short of finalizing these new rules in 2024, members made significant progress and came closer than ever to consensus on this vital sustainable development priority. 

As discussions continue, this update offers an overview of the rules under negotiation, as reflected in the latest draft text circulated by Ambassador Gunnarsson of Iceland, chair of the WTO's Rules Negotiating Group, in November 2024. The update first reviews recent developments in the negotiations and the current state of play, then provides a concise explanation of the new disciplines being proposed. It also includes contextual insights to help readers understand the rationale behind specific provisions. For each main element of the proposed disciplines, summary boxes are included to highlight key features. The update concludes by drawing attention to several important sustainable development considerations related to the draft text.

BCA is a hot topic in global trade and climate policy, driven in part by the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism coming into force, and with similar regimes pending in the United Kingdom and Norway. Additionally, BCA is increasingly being explored in other countries such as Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, and the United States. 

If adopted in multiple countries, BCA would have major impacts not only on climate ambition but also on trade flows and development prospects. Yet there is no internationally agreed upon guidance on how to design and implement BCA in a way that advances both climate and development objectives. This leaves national policy-makers creating BCA regimes without a shield to defend against domestic vested interests and leaves affected countries and firms without a yardstick by which to assess proposed BCA regimes. 

This guidance—the product of in-country research and consultation in five countries and more than a year of deliberation by a diverse global group of experts—aims to fill that gap. It offers detailed recommendations on BCA design questions, such as:

1. How to measure greenhouse gas emissions embodied in goods?
2. What goods and emissions to cover?
3. What to do with the revenues?
4. Whether and how to credit carbon prices paid in the country of export?
5. Whether and how to adjust the carbon price for exports?
6. What special treatment and exemptions should be granted?

The report investigates how SPCs can lead in energy transition initiatives. To date, discussions on this role have favoured developed economy examples. The report aims to address this gap by analyzing the dynamics of decarbonization facing four of the world’s largest SPCs (outside of China), focusing each case study on one specific element of energy transition. The case studies are: 1) Eskom in South Africa on just energy transition initiatives, 2) NTPC in India on deployment of renewable energy, 3) Vietnam Electricity (EVN) in Viet Nam integrating renewable energy generation, and 4) Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) in Indonesia on early retirement of coal power plants.

Manitoba's fisheries supply fish to domestic and international markets. While 20% of Manitoban fish is consumed within Canada, 80% goes to international markets, predominantly the United States and Europe. The present report analyzes European and U.S. market trends in the certified sustainable fish and seafood sector with the goal of unpacking the implications for Manitoba commercial fishers. Additionally, it provides guidance on how to communicate the benefits of eco-certification to Manitoba commercial fishers. 

This report builds on the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s 2024 report, The Case of Eco-Certification in Manitoba’s Commercial Fisheries, which reviewed the potential benefits of pursuing eco-certification for Manitoba's commercial freshwater fisheries. It concluded that Manitoba's commercial fisheries stand to benefit both directly and indirectly from acquiring eco-certification, with the direct benefits being greater for larger fisheries. Specifically, it identified the following market benefits for eco-certification:

1. Eco-certification can lead to an avoided loss of markets valued at CAD 250 for every CAD 1 invested for large lakes, or CAD 16 for every CAD 1 invested for small lakes. This means that for every CAD 1 invested in eco-certifying a fishery, CAD 16 of that fisheries' value is protected from market loss.
2. Eco-certification provides a greater opportunity for brand building for Manitoba fisheries as a sustainable option for the eco-conscious consumer.
3. Eco-certified lakes tend to have more stable fish stocks over the long term and are less vulnerable to stock collapse. This makes the supply of fish to markets more reliable. 

This follow-up report aims to elaborate by examining market trends at the consumer end of the supply chain in both the United States and Europe, thereby providing further information on the potential benefits of eco-certification for fisheries. This is an important point to address because 80% of Manitoba's fish is sold to international markets, especially in the United States and Europe.

Many countries noted continuing challenges in maintaining SDG momentum due to the lingering effects of conflicts, climate impacts, and economic instability. The two first-time VNR presentations in 2024 were by South Sudan and Yemen, both grappling to rebuild their economies and fragile governance following years of conflict and humanitarian crises. 

While it is not designed to provide a comprehensive review of official reports, this annual "fact-check" by a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) aims to support more iterative and accountable SDG monitoring and review processes. Progressing National SDG Implementation highlights where countries are making steady gains, while also identifying remaining gaps and challenges in achieving SDG aspirations, especially from a social inclusion perspective. As such, this report aims to contribute to joint learning by both governments and non-state actors on how to contribute to transformative change while leaving no one behind. 

This report is published in partnership between Action for Sustainable Development, the Arab NGO Network for Development, Bond, CSO Partnership for Sustainable Development, Cooperation Canada, Forus, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Save the Children, and Sightsavers.

Watch the publication launch webinar

The Hudson Bay Lowlands is partially located in northeastern Manitoba, encompassing 67,000 square kilometres, which is nearly 10% of the province. This region is one of the world’s most ecologically intact landscapes and provides millions in economic value every year. The region also holds immense value due to its rich Indigenous heritage, globally significant carbon stocks, and diverse wildlife, making it an excellent candidate for conservation. 

The Hudson Bay Lowlands provides nearly CAD 250 million in ecosystem goods and services per year through the value of biodiversity conservation, hunting, tourism, and mental health benefits. This vast landscape also stores an estimated 7 billion tonnes of soil organic carbon (a value of CAD 1.2 trillion)—and that's just in Manitoba.

Emerging markets and developing economies are navigating a complex fiscal landscape marked by rising debt costs and shrinking fiscal space. Traditional rules-based frameworks, once seen as the cornerstone of fiscal discipline, are increasingly showing their limitations. Their rigidity stifles flexibility, while overlapping rules create confusion and inefficiencies. 

This report offers a rethink: moving beyond rigid debt rules to embrace flexible debt anchors that safeguard long-term sustainability without sacrificing the ability to respond to shocks. By embedding these anchors within a comprehensive fiscal regime (complete with clear objectives, strategic planning, and independent oversight), governments can build a more resilient, coherent framework. Enhanced transparency and accountability are central to restoring market and public trust, while independent institutions like fiscal councils play a crucial role in guiding policy toward sustainable debt management. 

For those shaping fiscal rules, this research provide a path to more effective, adaptable frameworks that meet today’s challenges head-on.

Canada's oil and gas industry is highly exposed to shifting international markets, with 81% of oil and 44% of gas exported abroad. As a result, the profitability of Canadian production is vulnerable to weakening international demand, rising competition, and climate-related trade risks. 

Using three oil and gas demand scenarios from the International Energy Agency and global market modelling by Rystad Energy, this report finds the following:

• Up to 66% of future capital investments in Canadian oil and gas projects (2025–2040) are at risk of becoming stranded under a 1.5°C climate scenario. The percentage of stranded investments could be even higher in a world where carbon capture and storage technologies underperform.
• Even under current global policies, 5% of projected investments may fail to deliver economic returns. Under announced climate policies, including existing net-zero pledges, the share of stranded forecasted investments rises to 39%.
• Economic risks to investors, industry, and governments could be mitigated in all three demand scenarios by restricting future oil and gas development in Canada and abroad. 

It has long been assumed that Canada's best economic interests lie in the continued expansion of oil and gas production. Instead, this analysis suggests a new paradigm whereby the most efficient way to leverage the economic potential of Canada's oil and gas industry is to limit its expansion while using the remaining revenues to accelerate growth in clean industries consistent with a changing global economy.

This set of key indicators—selected based on federal laws, data availability, and government influence—includes 18 quantitative and qualitative measurements. 

Key indicators for tracking progress on sustainable jobs 

Risk and readiness

Economic exposure

• Community susceptibility: Workforce disruption based on employment in high-emitting industries and transition-vulnerable sectors.
• Fossil fuel revenue dependence: Percentage of total government revenues derived from fossil fuel-related activities (including direct revenues from fossil fuel taxes and royalties and indirect revenues from income taxes of fossil fuel workers).

Institutional preparedness

• Social protection coverage: Share of the population covered by employment insurance by equity-deserving group and by sector. 

Response

Governance and processes

• Governance capacity: Level of resources allocated to a formalized government body (or bodies) responsible for advancing sustainable jobs.
• Indigenous partnership in governance: Extent of Indigenous partnerships and decision-making authority in the sustainable jobs governance processes, as assessed by Indigenous Peoples.
• Social dialogue engagement: Number of workers and community members engaged in tripartite social dialogues and stakeholder forums held in the design, monitoring, and implementation of sustainable jobs policies.
• Private sector regulations: Presence and strength of regulations requiring corporate disclosure and participation related to the transition (e.g., notice of plant closures, number and demographics of affected workers, obligation to fund retraining).
• Policies managing declining industries: Presence of policies to manage the impacts of declining industries, including the fossil fuel industry, and mandate emissions reductions. 

Results

Net-zero alignment and economic diversification

• Climate alignment: Extent to which sustainable jobs plans commit to the Paris Agreement and national or regional climate objectives.
• Relative GDP growth: GDP in low-carbon industries compared to GDP in high-carbon industries and overall GDP.

Employment and decent work

• Net new sustainable jobs: Number of net new sustainable jobs created by the sector and region per 1,000 jobs.
• Workforce retraining: Number of workers receiving training to transition into or enter sustainable jobs by equity-deserving group.
• Displaced worker support: Proportion of displaced workers with access to social security, relocation assistance, and affordable housing.
• Sustainable job compensation: Annual (median) compensation in sustainable jobs by sector, compared to median compensation across all jobs.
• Sustainable job retention rate: Proportion of employees in sustainable jobs that retain their jobs for one year or more.
• Collective agreement coverage: Proportion of workers in sustainable jobs covered by a collective agreement by sector relative to the average across the sector.
• Employment equity: Employment rate of underrepresented groups (Indigenous Peoples, women and gender-diverse peoples, people with disabilities, Black and other racialized individuals, 2SLGBTQI+, and other equity-seeking groups) in sustainable jobs.

Social equity

• Income inequality: Distribution of income across a population, indicating the extent of inequality (Gini coefficient). 

These proposed indicators provide a starting point for tracking sustainable jobs, but they should ultimately be refined through a collaborative process with tripartite stakeholders (workers, employers, and government), as well as with affected Indigenous governments and communities.