Press Releases
-
April 30, 2009
IISD GSI report finds biofuel subsidies are an inefficient policy for combating climate change
WINNIPEG, April 29, 2009 – Canadian government subsidies for biofuels have introduced market distortions that make it difficult for other more cost effective and sustainable energy alternatives to enter the market, according to a report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development's Geneva-based Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI). Biofuels - At what cost? Government support...
Read More -
February 20, 2009
Natural Resource Management Critical to Peacebuilding
Over Forty Per cent of Intrastate Conflicts Linked to Natural Resources, says UNEP Report Nairobi, February 20, 2009 – Intrastate conflicts are likely to drag on and escalate without a greater focus on environment and natural resources in the peacebuilding process, according to a new report launched today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report is co-authored by...
Read More -
January 22, 2009
IISD urges scientists to have a say in the setting of new rules for foreign access to biological resources
NEW YORK—January 22, 2009—Scientists are being urged to make their voices heard as the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity finalizes negotiations to establish an international regime for access and benefit-sharing of biological resources. There are concerns that overly restrictive government-imposed requirements to gain access to biological resources for academic research have...
Read More -
December 18, 2008
New U.S. Agriculture Secretary urged to give priority to reform of biofuels subsidies policy
GENEVA—December 18, 2008—The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) urges Tom Vilsack, President-elect Barack Obama's nomination for United States Agriculture Secretary, to make reforms to U.S. subsidies for biofuels a priority. Recent research by the IISD's Global Subsidies Initiative (www.globalsubsidies.org), a Geneva-based program, throws doubt on the logic...
Read More -
December 12, 2008
Institutional roadblocks are crippling our ability to achieve sustainable development
Leading environmentalist urges ordinary people to take extraordinary action and demand change GENEVA—December 12, 2008—Institutional roadblocks are crippling our ability to respond to the toughest issues facing humankind and are diverting us from achieving sustainable development, according to leading British environmentalist and authority on biodiversity Norman Myers. The...
Read More -
December 03, 2008
Boreal forest area delivers over $120 million a year of benefits Valuation supports bid for World Heritage Site
WINNIPEG—December 3, 2008—A vast tract of boreal forest that straddles Manitoba and Ontario has a conservative estimated economic value of between $121 and $130 million a year, according to a study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (PDF - 2.4 mb), released today. IISD produced the study for Pimachiowin Aki (PIM-AH-CHEE-OWE-IN AHH-KEY) Inc., a non-profit...
Read More -
November 25, 2008
China can reduce its environmental impact with changes to supply chain management
BEIJING—November 25, 2008—China can "dramatically mitigate" the environmental impact of its expanding economy by developing sustainable global supply chains in the forestry, cotton and e-product sectors, according to new research undertaken by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). "We...
Read More -
November 14, 2008
Global Connectivity focuses on new challenges for sustainable development
IISD announces the new Global Connectivity program, which more accurately describes our ongoing focus on new and emerging challenges for sustainable development. Global Connectivity builds on our former Knowledge Communications program, to incorporate how technology, in particular communications technology, is supporting and changing how we organize our governing systems, our economies, and our...
Read More -
October 09, 2008
High level commitment to build capacity of new generations of young professionals to meet conservation and sustainability challenges
BARCELONA—October 9, 2008—International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, The International Institute for Sustainable Development, Leadership for Environment and Development, and WWF International – the World Wide Fund For Nature, will establish a consortium to coordinate next generation leadership training across the IUCN Secretariat, Membership,...
Read More -
October 08, 2008
UPDATE - The Kyoto Mechanisms: Key to combating climate change?
Huge response to discussion: Web viewers are invited to send questions to the moderator Event date: Thursday, October 9, 2008Time: 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. ESTLocation: 555 Alfred Lerner Hall, Columbia University Presented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and The Earth Institute at Columbia University WINNIPEG, October 8, 2008—Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth...
Read More