Policy Briefs

Climate Policy Brief 5, March 2011

Complex Implications of the Cancun Climate Conference.

The 2010 climate conference of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which took place in Cancun (Mexico) on 29 November to 11 December was complex in both process and content, and in both aspects it will have an importance and ramifications that will take several years to unfold. (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 4, December 2010

The Equitable Sharing of Atmospheric and Development Space.

In the quest for an international climate agreement on actions to address the climate change crisis, three aspects have to be the basis simultaneously: the environmental imperative, the developmental imperative, and the equity imperative. (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 3, November 2010

Cancun Climate Conference: Some Key Issues.

The South Centre released a new Policy Brief addressing some key issues on Cancun Climate Conference, including the lowering of expectations; the Fate and Shape of the Global Climate Regulatory Regime; Disastrous Projection of Pledges; the Obligations Proposed for Developing Countries; and Cancun  New Structures in Finance, Technology and Adaptation. (more…)

Policy Brief 3, September 2010

Some preliminary thoughts on new international economic cooperation.

The developed countries have acted as engines of economic growth in the world for nearly half a century; but they may not continue to have that role for long. With their negligible population growth and low level of GDP growth, they are unlikely to generate significant additional consumer demand. (more…)

Policy Brief 2, March 2010

The Global Financial Crisis and India.

The financial crisis, which assumed global pro- portions in 2008, is, at the time of writing, far from over. In fact, many facets of the crisis are still unfolding, while many of the policy responses are yet to bear fruit and the road to recovery is uncer- tain. (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 2, December 2009

Copenhagen and After.

This Policy Brief looks at the process leading up to and the substantive provisions of the Copenhagen Accord. It identifies key issues in the Accord that would be important to consider for developing countries in light of their potential implications for the UNFCCC negotiations. (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 1, December 2009

Copenhagen: Key Issues for Developing Countries.
This paper summarises the key issues that need to be resolved if the Copenhagen Climate Conference is to succeed.  They include the future of the Kyoto Protocol, the global climate regime, the emission cuts of developed countries, the attempts to shift responsibiity to developing countries, finance and technology for developing countries, and the danger of climate trade protectionism. (more…)

Policy Brief 20, November 2009

State of Play of the GATS Negotiations: Are Developing Countries Benefiting?.

This paper provides an overview of the state of play in the GATS negotiations, both covering the market access negotiations, as well as the rules negotiations. (more…)

Policy Brief 18, November 2009

Is Development Back in the Doha Round?.

As trade ministers prepare to assemble November 30 in Geneva for further WTO talks, they are hearing another round of new and refurbished projections of how much wealthier the world might be after liberalizing trade.  (more…)

Policy Brief 17, October 2009

The gap between commitments and implementation: Assesing the compliance by Annex I parties with their commitments under the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol.

This research paper looks at the extent of compliance by developed countries listed in Annex I of the UNFCCC of their obligations under the UNFCCC to undertake mitigation and to provide financing, technology, and capacity building to developing countries. (more…)

Policy Brief 16, September 2009

International Trade and Climate Change.

The Waxman – Markey bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives envisages certain measures to restrict carbon dioxide emissions and requires the president to levy a charge on imports of carbon-intensive products from countries that do not adopt similar climate change measures. U.S. importers would have to buy carbon “allowances” for such products, purportedly for maintaining a level playing ground between domestic and overseas producers. (more…)

Policy Brief 15, December 2008

Government Procurement in Economic Partnership Agreements and FTAs.

The ability of governments to procure from firms of its own choice can be an important development tool and can also be an instrument for macroeconomic management. (more…)