** What’s new in sustainable development
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** Carbon Border Measures Are Multiplying—Can negotiators keep up?
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The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is now fully operational, and other jurisdictions are not far behind.

Meanwhile at the World Trade Organization, debate is heating up—with calls for international cooperation at the forefront.

Our new report ([link removed]) maps out everything you need to know about the state of border carbon adjustments in 2026—where developments are happening, what they look like, and what impact they could have on global trade.
Read more ([link removed])

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** The Two Factors That Could Shape the UN Tax Convention’s Success
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Countries are negotiating a new UN treaty on international tax cooperation—a chance to build a fairer, more effective global tax system. As negotiations advance, IISD looks at two choices that could shape the treaty’s success: how broadly it should define the services covered ([link removed]) when taxing cross-border business, and how to stop governments’ tax decisions from being challenged through investor–state dispute settlements ([link removed]) .

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** Canadians Want Governments to Invest in Stronger Water Infrastructure
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A new survey ([link removed]) found that nearly three quarters of Canadians believe improving water infrastructure is an urgent priority, while almost two thirds have experienced water-related issues in the past 5 years. The survey also found strong support for natural infrastructure once Canadians understand the role it can play in reducing flood and drought risks.

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** Through Their Eyes: Stories of adaptation and resilience in Belize
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A photograph can do more than simply capture a moment. It can reveal how someone sees their community, what they value, and what gives them hope. Through photography, women and other underrepresented groups in Belize are sharing how climate change is affecting their communities and the actions they are taking to build resilience. Discover a collection of participant stories and photographs ([link removed]) that offer personal perspectives on adaptation in action.

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** Who Is Winning the Race to Build EV Battery Supply Chains?
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Subsidies, local content rules, export restrictions on critical raw materials—industrial policy in the EV battery sector keeps raising the same hard questions for trade negotiators. Our experts compare how China, Indonesia, and Morocco are answering them ([link removed]) , weighing the trade-offs behind each approach and the cross-border ripple effects for countries watching from the sidelines.

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** What the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Means for Canada’s Proposed Pipelines
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As importers face another energy crisis in 2026, clean alternatives are presenting them with an opportunity to finally break free of oil price shocks. With Canada moving to expand oil and gas on the back of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, our analysis ([link removed]) shows that it risks boosting fossil fuel supply for an increasingly shrinking market that is looking to get off the rollercoaster once and for all.

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** Navigating Evolving Sustainability Requirements in Global Markets
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From a growing number of regulatory requirements that lock in sustainability obligations to stronger commitments on due diligence and traceability, global markets are evolving to address modern environmental and social challenges. Our new Sustainability Markets Hub ([link removed]) brings together years of IISD research and services into one central resource to ensure new rules do not become a barrier to market access for small-scale producers and businesses.

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** Free Online Course on Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Climate Adaptation
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Are you a climate adaptation practitioner looking to strengthen the integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in your country’s national adaptation plan (NAP) processes? This course is for you! The NAP Global Network’s new self-paced course unpacks concepts related to GESI and NAP processes, explains why inclusion matters for effective adaptation planning, and showcases practical tools and methods for integrating gender-responsive and inclusive approaches to enhance the effectiveness of adaptation actions. Learn more and register today ([link removed]) .

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** Complexity and Controversy Dominate Talks on Deep Seabed Exploitation Rules
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Despite tensions, the latest round of talks in the International Seabed Authority delivered progress on test and pilot mining, regional environmental management plans, and anti-monopolization, among other provisions. Our Earth Negotiations Bulletin team also reports ([link removed]) that delegates improved their understanding of effective control and underwater cultural heritage.

Upcoming events ([link removed])

Webinar


** Water for Planet: Nature-Based Solutions to Protect Aquatic Environments
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August 21, 2026, 3:30 p.m. CET
Learn more ([link removed])

Job opportunities ([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.

* Project Manager, Economic Law and Policy Program, Germany, Portugal, or United Kingdom (Remote) ([link removed])
Senior Policy Advisor, Economic Law and Policy, Multiple locations (Remote) ([link removed])
* Policy Analyst, Energy Program, Delhi, India (Remote) ([link removed])
* Policy Analyst, Energy Program, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda (Remote) ([link removed])
* Kitchen Assistant, IISD-ELA, Kenora, Canada ([link removed])



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IISD's headquarters in Winnipeg are situated on Treaty 1 Territory—the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininiw (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe Cree), Dene, and Dakota Nations, and the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. ([link removed])