Search Climate Insights Directory

This report, prepared by the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), outlines the steps taken to implement a long-term financing strategy. The primary focus is the establishment of a capital reserve fund to support the Institute's scientific agenda, capacity development, and policy information provision, as mandated by the IAI Agreement and Decision XXVI/41.

This report outlines a project that analyzed Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to inform its rulebook and assessed the readiness of Ukraine, Vietnam, and Ethiopia to engage with market mechanisms based on their history of carbon market collaboration with Germany.

This research paper argues for a rigorous conceptual distinction between 'South-South Cooperation' and 'development cooperation' to ensure scientific and policy utility. It emphasizes that while development cooperation is a subset of South-South Cooperation, it should not be used interchangeably with other flows such as trade and investment.

The report 'Lasting Impact: Sustainable Off-Grid Solar Delivery Models to Power Health and Education' examines off-grid solar delivery models to determine which approaches support or hinder sustainability in rural health and education sectors. It aims to provide a framework for public and private sector decision-makers to select the most effective electrification models for rural schools and health centers based on their specific country context.

This research paper analyzes the Adaptation Fund's allocation of resources toward activities that support other species and natural ecosystems, concluding that ecosystem outcomes are generally of limited importance to the fund's projects.

This report explores how blockchain technology and 'impact tokens' can address systemic barriers in the impact investing industry to better mobilize funding for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report highlights a critical mismatch in Sub-Saharan Africa between a rapidly growing youth population and the availability of formal sector jobs. Despite increased access to education, graduates often lack the STEM skills required by employers, while the 4th Industrial Revolution disrupts traditional labor-intensive manufacturing. Projections to 2030 suggest manufacturing will only account for 6.5% of employment, with women and youth remaining highly vulnerable to informal, low-earning work.

A statement by a representative of Natural Justice detailing first-hand observations of the negative impacts of mining and large-scale infrastructure projects in South Africa and Kenya, arguing that current development models prioritize corporate interests over human rights and environmental sustainability.

A letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights to the IPP Office of the Department of Energy requesting updates on the commercial and financial close deadlines for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power station projects, while asserting that neither project is currently capable of reaching such close due to outstanding licenses and pending litigation.

This report provides guidance for governments and partners on integrating the private sector into National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes to enhance climate resilience and economic growth.

This document is a formal appeal submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on behalf of Earthlife Africa and groundWork to the Minister of Environmental Affairs. The appeal seeks to set aside an Environmental Authorisation granted on 15 March 2019 to the Department of Water and Sanitation for Phase 2A of the Mokolo and Crocodile River (West) Augmentation Project (MCWAP-2A). The appellants argue that the project is unnecessary, environmentally damaging, and based on outdated energy demand assumptions.

The Ad hoc committee report on Decision XXVI/11 outlines the development and structure of the IAI Strategic Plan (2019–2044). The plan establishes a 25-year roadmap for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research to bridge science and policy, focusing on three primary themes: meeting the needs of Parties to address global environmental change, science for the sustainability of the Americas, and the long-term sustainability of the IAI organization.

This report from the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) outlines the council's activities and recommendations ahead of the 27th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-27) in Brasilia, Brazil. The EC provides guidance on the IAI Strategic Plan, the election rules for the Science and Policy Advisory Committee, and the establishment of flexible funding mechanisms for global change projects in the Americas.

This report from the Chair of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) outlines the EC's activities and recommendations ahead of the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-27) in Brasilia, Brazil.

This report details a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) conducted by the BONUS RETURN project to evaluate the sustainability of various eco-technologies for recovering nutrients and carbon from waste. The study focuses on three catchment areas: Vantaanjoki in Finland, Fyrisån in Sweden, and Słupia in Poland. By engaging local stakeholders to weight sustainability criteria, the report compares baseline management systems against alternatives such as anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and source-separation of wastewater.

Since 2015, GIZ and the PAGE initiative have supported the creation of an Interinstitutional Working Group on Inclusive Green Economy in Uruguay. This group empowered officials from various ministries to implement green projects—such as tire management, industrial competitiveness in the St. Lucia Basin, and a green tourism label—and to improve internal public management through initiatives like composting in Montevideo. These efforts helped Uruguay align with the Paris Agreement and SDG 17, and led to the country becoming a PAGE member in 2017.

This case study describes the MyHIJAU Mark, Malaysia's official green recognition system for environmentally sound products and services, which aims to transition the country toward a resource-efficient and low-carbon economy through government-led procurement and certification.

The IAI Executive Directorate reports on its five-year communication plan to better integrate scientific data into policy. Key achievements include a MOOC reaching 10,000 participants, a significant increase in social media engagement, and collaborations with UN agencies (UNOSSC, UNFCCC) on publications regarding urban climate management and coastal loss and damage. The IAI also produced eight synthesis reports on regional environmental issues and held high-level events at COP-24 and the AGU Centennial.

A teaching module for Tufts University's GDAE that introduces green macroeconomics, contrasting various economic theories and developing a model to explore the transition from fossil fuels to renewables.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), writing on behalf of groundWork, urges Absa Group Ltd to cease financing for proposed coal-fired power plants, specifically the Thabametsi and Khanyisa independent power producers (IPPs). The letter argues that continuing to fund coal projects poses significant financial, reputational, and environmental risks, noting that other major South African banks like Nedbank have already withdrawn support.