REPORT OF THE IAI SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) CHAIR TO THE 19th MEETING OF THE IAI EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EC)

The SAC report details updates on the SGP and CRN programs, proposes methods for synthesizing CRN I results, and recommends specific scientific expertise for future committee members. Crucially, the SAC expresses urgent concern over institutional uncertainty, urging the IAI Director to implement a short-term action plan to protect scientific achievements.

• The SAC reviewed the status of the SGP I and SGP II programs, confirming that 'Suspension and Termination Procedures for IAI Projects' should be applied to a PI who is not responding to enquiries regarding a final report. For SGP II, the EC approved 22 proposals recommended by the SAC, with projects commencing in February or March 2004.
• Regarding the CRN I program, the SAC noted that capacity building is 'very strong' and that projects have secured external funding from agencies in the EU, Germany, and the UK. The committee is exploring several options for a final synthesis of the program, including an edited book published by the IAI, special sessions at relevant organization meetings, or using the SCOPE mechanism.
• To improve reporting and engagement, the SAC introduced a new Final Technical Project Report format that includes sections on 'Lessons learned' and 'Policy relevant results'. To re-engage member countries, the SAC suggests highlighting awards received by IAI scientists and connecting the IAI Science Agenda to specific national scientific needs.
• The SAC identified several priority areas of expertise for new or re-elected members, including 'Oceanic and atmospheric variability', 'Climate Change and atmospheric physics or physical meteorology', 'Forestry and applied ecology, LUCC, Carbon', and 'Coastal and estuarine processes, coastal vulnerability, fisheries (food security)'.
• In a closed session, the SAC unanimously stated that current 'uncertainty' is 'placing the IAI’s scientific achievements in jeopardy'. They urged the Executive Council to instruct the IAI Director to ensure program continuity and develop a short-term action plan for presentation at the June Conference of the Parties.

APA

Fernández, W. (2004). REPORT OF THE IAI SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) CHAIR TO THE 19th MEETING OF THE IAI EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EC). Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/Report_SAC_Chair1.pdf

Chicago

Fernández, Walter. REPORT OF THE IAI SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) CHAIR TO THE 19th MEETING OF THE IAI EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EC). Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, 2004. https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/Report_SAC_Chair1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Fernández |first1=Walter |title=REPORT OF THE IAI SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) CHAIR TO THE 19th MEETING OF THE IAI EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EC) |publisher=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |date=2004 |url=https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/Report_SAC_Chair1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{fernndez2004report, author = {Fernández, Walter}, title = {{REPORT OF THE IAI SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) CHAIR TO THE 19th MEETING OF THE IAI EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EC)}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2004}, url = {https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/Report_SAC_Chair1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }