Terms of Reference for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research

The Terms of Reference for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) establish a nine-member expert body tasked with bridging the gap between scientific research and policy-making. Established in June 2013, the SPAC advises the IAI on improving the policy relevance of its programs, defining strategic themes, and fostering dialogue between scientists and decision-makers, while maintaining a neutral stance that prohibits lobbying.

• The Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) was established by IAI members at the twenty-first Conference of the Parties in June 2013. Its primary purpose is to advise the Conference of the Parties (CoP) and IAI Directorates on strengthening the relevance of the Institute's science programs for decision making and policy development.
• The SPAC's mandate includes providing advice on the policy relevance of IAI planning and work, defining themes for funding strategies and science-policy programs, and serving as a consultative forum for the IAI's science-policy liaison strategy. It is also tasked with organizing policy fora, though members are prohibited from lobbying or advocating for specific policy decisions.
• The SPAC consists of nine members appointed by the CoP, who serve in their personal capacity for three-year terms, with a second term possible only on an exceptional basis. Membership is drawn equally from nominations by the Parties, the SPAC, and the Directorate. Ex-officio members include the Chairs of the Executive Council and Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), and the IAI Director of the Science-Policy Liason Office.
• SPAC members are expected to be internationally recognized practitioners or experts in science-policy liaison or science-based decision making. The committee's composition aims for balance across gender, geography, societal sectors (including civil society, private sector, and various government levels), and themes, and may exceptionally include members from outside the Americas.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2015). Terms of Reference for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-23-spac-tor-e.pdf

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Terms of Reference for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. 2015. https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-23-spac-tor-e.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=Terms of Reference for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |date=May 2015 |url=https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-23-spac-tor-e.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2015terms, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{Terms of Reference for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2015}, month = may, url = {https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-23-spac-tor-e.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }