Investment for Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is an investment issue. Capital is needed to alleviate poverty, create jobs, accelerate the clean energy transition and allow for the development of much-needed infrastructure to provide goods and services for all. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an important source of that capital.
But investment does not come without risks. How can we ensure investments are made responsibly, without harming people, the environment or the local economy?
IISD works with governments and civil society to develop and improve legal and policy tools focusing on the critical linkage between investment and sustainable development. We look for and provide new approaches to ensure that investment law and policy advance environmentally sound investment that generates broad socioeconomic benefits. In particular, IISD experts examine how the rules and institutions that govern international investment flows can be improved to benefit developing countries.
- Newsletter
Investment Treaty News (ITN), Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2019
Investment Treaty News (ITN) is IISD’s flagship journal on international investment law and policy.
Read More - Briefing Note
Redesigning the Energy Charter Treaty to Advance the Low-Carbon Transition
This paper discusses practical ways to overhaul the Energy Charter Treaty to bring it in line with international law commitments with respect to climate change and sustainable development.
Read More - Commentary
Investment Facilitation for Sustainable Development: Getting it right for developing countries
This piece explores how investment facilitation belongs not in binding World Trade Organization rules, but in the work of organizations that focus on research, best practice and capacity building for developing countries.
Read More - Newsletter
Investment Treaty News (ITN), Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2019
Investment Treaty News (ITN) is IISD’s flagship journal on international investment law and policy.
Read More - Blog
How Institutional Arrangements Can Engage Small Businesses in Climate Adaptation
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises need a supportive environment of institutional, legal and policy frameworks to adapt to climate change.
Read More - Report
Canadian Initiatives Against Bribery by Foreign Investors
Building on the recognition that corruption threatens sustainable development, the report analyzes Canadian legal initiatives under both domestic and international law against bribery by Canadian businesses investing abroad.
Read More - Blog
How Could China’s New Foreign Investment Law Impact Trade Debate?
Negotiators from the United States and China have met repeatedly in recent weeks to reach an agreement to resolve some of the trade irritants between them, including the high-profile issue of forced technology transfers.
Read More - Blog
Launching the Sustainable Finance Map of Geneva
A new map of sustainable finance players in Geneva could be a vital tool to scaling up funding for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Read More - Blog
Explorer les projets d'investissement agricole
Un voyage de deux semaines explore les moyens de maximiser les avantages et de minimiser les risques des outils d’investissement agricole en Afrique.
Read More - Blog
Touring Agricultural Investment Projects
A two-week trip explores how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of agricultural investment tools in Africa.
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