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** What's new in sustainable development
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** How Outdated Investment Treaties Threaten the EU’s Latest Support to Ukraine
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Outdated investment treaties could be used by Russian actors to undermine the European Union’s (EU's) support for Ukraine—including a loan with immobilized Russian assets as collateral.

Belgium is currently vetoing the EU scheme because of the threat of investment arbitration based on one of the treaties. Our experts, Lukas Schaugg, Isaak Bowers, and Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder, explain ([link removed]) the legal complexities and what investment policy-makers should do to counter the use of old treaties against crucial national security policies.
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** Oyster Farmers Battle the Climate Crisis in Fiji's Troubled Seas
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The climate crisis disrupts lives and livelihoods, and small island nations like Fiji are especially vulnerable. With fish stocks declining and extreme weather events increasing, coastal communities are struggling to survive. But Fijians are fighting back and empowering their communities through nature-based solutions, like oyster farming, that offer a range of benefits. A new article from Al Jazeera ([link removed]) highlights how the IISD project AQUA-Pearl is offering hope and building climate resilience by benefiting nature, people, and economies.

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** India's Anti-Greenwashing Guidelines: A new standard for responsible business
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India's new guidelines on sustainability claims are a significant step toward building responsible business practices, strengthening consumer trust, and helping companies meet rising transparency and sustainability expectations at home and abroad. Ournew case study ([link removed]) , co-authored with the Centre for Responsible Business, examines how India is developing a policy and regulatory framework to curb greenwashing and enhance the credibility of sustainability claims.

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** After COP 30: Implications for the road ahead
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COP 30 opened with a number of important items on the negotiating table, and after 2 weeks, not everything reached its ideal conclusion. But climate action doesn't stop in Belém. Our experts break down the implications of the various COP 30 outcomes on the roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels ([link removed]) , gender-responsive energy transition ([link removed]) , and deforestation ([link removed]) .

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** Strengthening Governance in the Minerals and Metals Sector
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Growing global demand for minerals and metals, especially critical minerals, has raised pressure to ensure responsible sourcing. To help policy-makers and standard setters differentiate between credible and weaker initiatives, a new joint IGF and UNEP report identifies 15 hallmarks of effective sustainability standards and initiatives ([link removed]) , offering a practical reference point for assessing alignment with public governance objectives.

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** Fostering Robust Tools for Green Public Procurement in the EU Through Reform
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Public procurers can reduce the environmental impacts of their purchases by using credible eco-labels and certifications. Yet, they face practical and legal challenges in applying such tools for green public procurement (GPP). This brief ([link removed]) outlines how the European Union can reform its procurement directives to foster the uptake of robust GPP tools and make procurement simpler and more sustainable.

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** How 1.36 Million Trees and Shrubs Will Save an Ethiopian City Millions of Dollars
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In Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, climate impacts such as flash floods, soil erosion, and water scarcity are putting communities and livelihoods at risk. Through the SUNCASA project, the Dechatu River catchment is being restored with nature-based solutions. According to a new assessment ([link removed]) , these interventions will save USD 1.35 million in flood-related damages and USD 930,000 in climate-related health costs, while creating thousands of jobs and strengthening resilience for vulnerable communities.

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** Community Voices Shape Kenya’s Next Chapter in Climate Resilience
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As part of the Envisioning Resilience initiative in Kenya, a policy dialogue in Nairobi brought national decision-makers together with women from arid and semi-arid regions. Through photography and storytelling, women from Kajiado County’s Maasai community highlighted their experiences with climate impacts and set the tone for the discussions with key actors in the country’s adaptation ecosystem. Find complete event details and a photo gallery here ([link removed]) .

Upcoming Events ([link removed])
Conflict-Sensitive Conservation in a Changing Climate ([link removed])
December 9, 2025
2 p.m.–3 p.m. GMT, Webinar

Understanding the Value of Nature in the Hudson Bay Lowlands ([link removed])
December 9, 2025
11 a.m. –12:15 p.m. CT, Webinar

Sustainable and Resilient Value Chains: Advancing deforestation-free supply chains ([link removed])
December 10, 2025
3 p.m.
–4:30 p.m. CET, Webinar

Tracking Progress on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for National Adaptation Plan Processes ([link removed])
December 10, 2025
9 a.m. ET, Webinar

From Extraction to Value Chains: Pathways to driving value in critical minerals ([link removed])
December 11, 2025
9 a.m. ET, Webinar

Digital Trade and the World Trade Organization: State of play ahead of MC14 ([link removed])
December 12, 2025
2 p.m.–3:15 p.m. CET, Webinar

Job Opportunities at IISD ([link removed])
At IISD, we believe in investing in people who are passionate and talented at what they do. Help enhance our work across all of our focus areas and make an impact on the planet and its people.
* Head of Secretariat, National Adaptation Plan Global Network, Ottawa, Canada ([link removed])
* Consultant, Metal Streaming and Private Royalty Agreements, Ecuador (Remote) ([link removed])
* Consultant - Nickel Pricing for Taxation Purposes, Chicago, U.S. (Remote) ([link removed])
* Policy Advisor, Economic Law and Policy, Winnipeg, Canada (Hybrid) ([link removed])
* Photography Consultants, SUNCASA, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Africa (Remote) ([link removed])
* Senior Communications Officer, Energy, Multiple locations (Remote) ([link removed])
* Senior Policy Specialist, Water, Winnipeg, Canada (Hybrid) ([link removed])

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