From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), alongside the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG) and The Degrees Initiative, conducted a workshop series culminating in an in-person simulation in Bogota, Colombia. The program aimed to empower policymakers and technical specialists from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to navigate the complexities of solar radiation modification (SRM) governance. Participants identified critical needs for regional research to understand local physical and socio-economic impacts, noting a disparity between the region's low greenhouse gas emissions and its high climate vulnerability. Discussions highlighted the risk of SRM creating a "moral hazard" that could divert attention from Paris Agreement commitments, specifically Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The report emphasizes the necessity of strengthening science-policy interfaces, ensuring the participation of Indigenous Peoples through free, prior and informed consent, and fostering South-South and triangular cooperation to enhance regional data access and institutional knowledge.

• Participants identified a significant need for expanded research to understand the specific physical and socio-economic impacts of SRM within their region, advocating for science that is "on the region, by the region, for the region".
• There is a perceived imbalance between the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region's low contribution to global emissions and its high vulnerability to climate change, which influences discussions on the distribution of SRM risks and benefits.
• Participants expressed concern that SRM could act as a moral hazard or distract from existing climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• The report highlights the necessity of including Indigenous Peoples and local communities in SRM research, specifically requiring their free, prior and informed consent for activities on their traditional lands.
• To ensure continuity in research and institutional knowledge despite short political cycles, some participants recommended the establishment of long-term state policies rather than government-led programs.
• Participants suggested enhancing regional cooperation through South-South and triangular South-South-North cooperation, particularly regarding access to data and synergies between research centers.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2025). From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas. http://iai.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/From-Science-to-Policy_-Navigating-the-Complexities-of-Emerging-Climate-Techniques-in-the-Americas-Outcomes-Report.pdf

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas. 2025. http://iai.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/From-Science-to-Policy_-Navigating-the-Complexities-of-Emerging-Climate-Techniques-in-the-Americas-Outcomes-Report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas |date=October 2025 |url=http://iai.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/From-Science-to-Policy_-Navigating-the-Complexities-of-Emerging-Climate-Techniques-in-the-Americas-Outcomes-Report.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2025from, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2025}, month = oct, url = {http://iai.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/From-Science-to-Policy_-Navigating-the-Complexities-of-Emerging-Climate-Techniques-in-the-Americas-Outcomes-Report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }