Subsidies to coal production in China
This report presents a bottom-up inventory of subsidies to the Chinese coal industry. It starts with a snapshot of the different methodologies available for subsidy evaluation and then describes the identified
Canada
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Rising temperatures, rising tensions: climate change and the risk of violent conflict in the Middle East
In a region already considered the world's most water scarce and where, in many places, demand for water already outstrips supply, climate models are predicting a hotter, drier and less predictable climate in the Middle East. By redrawing maps of water availability, food security, disease prevalence, population
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International carbon market mechanisms in a post-2012 climate change agreement
This background paper provides an overview of the role and profile of international carbon market mechanisms in a new international post-2012 climate change agreement. The paper first reviews the three market-based instruments under the Kyoto Protocol and then examines a range of possible market mechanisms under consideration in the international climate change negotiations.
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A thirst for distant lands: foreign investment in agricultural land and water
This paper focuses on the renewed interest in purchasing or leasing land, and securing water rights for agricultural production; it does not focus on other forms of foreign investment in agriculture. It identifies the key drivers behind the recent surge in these investments, and examines prevailing trends in reported land contracts. The range of legal issues
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Securing a sustainable future in the Arctic
In recent decades, the Arctic has undergone major environmental, socio-economic and political changes. The rapid loss of Arctic ice is having negative consequences on northern communities and lifestyles, on iconic species such as the polar bear, and is altering the ecology of the Arctic ocean and the permafrost lands.
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Invasive alien species: a threat to biodiversity
In light of the impact invasive alien species have, the Convention on Biological Diversity recognizes the importance of preventing the introduction of, and controlling or eradicating alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats and native species. This brochure highlights the threat invasive alien species pose to biodiversity and what each of us can do to tackle the problem.
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Smart transportation economic stimulation: infrastructure investments that support economic development
This report discusses factors to consider when evaluating transportation economic stimulation strategies. Transportation investments can have large long-term economic, social and environmental impacts. Expanding urban highways tends to stimulate motor vehicle travel and sprawl, exacerbating future transport problems and threatening future economic productivity.
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Biofuels at what cost? government support for ethanol and biodiesel in Canada
This report on Canada forms part of a multi-country effort by the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to characterize and quantify government support for liquid biofuel production, distribution and consumption. An overview of ethanol and biodiesel, the main fuels evaluated in this report.
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Green IT: why mid-size companies are investing now
This paper presents the results of a study conducted to understand why Green IT initiatives are undertaken, and how the results translate into cost savings, business value and environmental benefits. More than 1,000 IT professionals in midsize businesses, from 12 countries and eight industries have been consulted in the survey.
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Water quality for ecosystem and human health
The purpose of the new edition is to introduce the basic concepts of water quality and how it is related to ecosystem and human health; and to present an overview and assessments of current and upcoming global water quality issues with examples from around the world.
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Land and water resource management in Asia: challenges for climate adaptation
This paper was prepared as background to the workshop in SEA, held in Hanoi, Vietnam from January 19 to 21, 2009. The paper is intended to identify key development issues relating to land and water management in the less developed countries of the Himalayan and SEA regions, and how these are likely to be affected by long-term climate change.