Revisions to the Scientific Agenda

This briefing document, prepared by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), presents proposed revisions to the Scientific Agenda of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its 28th meeting.

• The IAI's primary objective is to promote scientific research that exceeds the scope of national programs, focusing on comparative studies of global change issues that affect the Americas as a whole. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of how global change impacts regional and continental environments and to foster collaborative research and action for the benefit of the environment and society.
• The revised Scientific Agenda is guided by several foundational principles, including transdisciplinary science, open data/science, innovative and solution-based science, participatory and inclusive design, and the strengthening of capacities across the science-policy interface.
• The IAI identifies specific strategic areas where science should improve the Americas' ability to thrive under global change, including the reduction of poverty and inequality, the improvement of energy, water, and food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, and the improvement of human health and wellbeing.
• The first research theme focuses on the human dimensions and policy implications of global change, climate variability, and land use. It emphasizes the interactions between anthropogenic and wild ecosystems and includes topics such as indigenous and local knowledge, the role of gender in global environmental change, and the impact of global change on food systems and health inequalities.
• The second research theme aims to monitor and understand climate change and variability in the Americas to improve decision-making and policy. Key areas of study include the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Tropical Atlantic Variability (TAV), the American Monsoon systems, and the development of an Americas component for a Global Climate Observing System.
• The third research theme focuses on ecosystems, biodiversity, land use, and water resources, utilizing comparative analyses across tropical, temperate, and cold latitude systems. It specifically addresses the impacts of sea water acidification and desalinization on marine biodiversity and the role of indigenous knowledge in sustaining nature's benefits.
• The fourth research theme examines the composition of the atmosphere, oceans, and fresh waters. This includes studying the carbon cycle, the impact of mega-cities on regional climate, ozone depletion in high latitude processes, and the effects of air pollution and rain water quality on managed and natural ecosystems.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2020). Revisions to the Scientific Agenda. http://iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-28-11-en-virtual-_0.pdf

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Revisions to the Scientific Agenda. 2020. http://iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-28-11-en-virtual-_0.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=Revisions to the Scientific Agenda |date=8 June 2020 |url=http://iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-28-11-en-virtual-_0.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2020revisions, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{Revisions to the Scientific Agenda}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {http://iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-cop-28-11-en-virtual-_0.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }