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 with accessible explainers on tricky topics. 

Highlights

Why Trade Matters in the Plastic–Pollution Treaty Negotiations

The global push to end plastic pollution by 2040 highlights the critical intersection of trade and environmental action, with upcoming INC-5 negotiations focusing on reducing plastic production, consumption, and waste within a fair and effective international framework.

Explainer

November 22, 2024

What to Expect at Plastics INC-5

Q and A with Tallash Kantai of Earth Negotiations Bulletin on INC-5.

Explainer

November 18, 2024

What Drives Investment Policy-makers in Developing Countries to Use Tax Incentives?

The article explores the reasons behind the use of tax incentives in developing countries to attract investment, examining the pressures, challenges, and alternative strategies that exist.

Explainer

November 13, 2024

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The Urgency and Complexity of Moving Beyond GDP

Efforts to explore how the portfolio of capitals that make up Comprehensive Wealth—financial capital, produced capital, natural capital, human capital, and social capital—can give policymakers insights into how their policies build wealth for their countries in the long run.
Explainer September 9, 2024

Inside the UN Tax Negotiations: Key outcomes and future challenges

Last week at the United Nations, countries endorsed new guidelines for an international tax system under the UN's umbrella. Our expert Kudzai Mataba, who observed the negotiations, provides an in-depth look at the progress, the divergent priorities of developed and developing nations, and the challenges ahead for global tax cooperation.
Explainer August 23, 2024

How to Strengthen MEL Systems for Adaptation

Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems are about ensuring we implement climate change adaptation more effectively and more efficiently. So, what can we learn from different countries currently tackling the challenges of developing and delivering MEL systems for adaptation? Lucy Njuguna and Emilie Beauchamp dive into the findings and recommendations from a new report.
Explainer July 31, 2024

Seven Key Issues to Watch at The Bonn Climate Conference

Compared to the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COPs), the Bonn Climate Conference (SB 60) gets barely any time in the public spotlight. However, the discussions here play a critical role in shaping negotiations at COPs and provide a window into what lies ahead. Our experts weigh in on seven key issues.
Explainer May 30, 2024

What to Expect at Plastics INC-4

What to expect in Ottawa as plastic pollution treaty talks get underway, explained by the team leader of the global neutral reporting service Earth Negotiations Bulletin.
Explainer April 22, 2024

UNFCCC Submissions Tracker

Tracking and sharing opportunities for stakeholders to give input to the UN climate change negotiations.
Explainer March 21, 2024

After COP 28: What's next for adaptation?

IISD experts Anne Hammill, Angie Dazé, Emilie Beauchamp, Jeffrey Qi, and Alec Crawford take a closer look at what we saw—and did not see—on adaptation at COP 28 in Dubai, and where we go from here.
Explainer January 25, 2024