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The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has established a workplan for its science-policy liaison office covering June 2013 to June 2015. The strategy aims to increase the relevance and credibility of IAI's scientific production among policy makers through institutional mechanisms, communication strategies, and use-oriented research.

This report by Natural Justice and the Berne Declaration critiques a draft European Commission (EC) Regulation for implementing the Nagoya Protocol. The authors argue that the draft's focus on 'access' as the trigger for user obligations, rather than 'utilisation', creates legal uncertainty for EU users and undermines the Protocol's goal of fair and equitable benefit-sharing.

This guide, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Tallinn, provides instructions for planners, developers, and citizens on how to integrate biodiversity into urban planning processes to prevent the loss of species during development projects. It focuses on specific animal groups, the implementation of a 'green space factor' to quantify ecological value, and practical measures for creating urban habitats such as green roofs, vertical greenery, and sustainable drainage systems.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that traditional natural resource management has failed and that African nations should adopt Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes and economic valuation to protect their natural assets, which are critical for poverty reduction and livelihoods.

A group of environmental and conservation organizations wrote a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) opposing the EPA's proposal to approve Arundo donax (giant reed) as a qualified advanced biofuel feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, citing significant ecological and economic risks.

A statement by Jose Manuel Martín Pérez, presented in both Spanish and Tzotzil, contrasting the life-sustaining benefits of natural forests with the destructive impact of plantations, concluding with a call to stop plantation activities.

This report analyzes the legal and institutional framework of Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) in Senegal. It details the transition from state-led conservation to decentralized governance, the role of Communal Natural Reserves (RNCs) and sacred sites, and the challenges regarding formal recognition and sustainability of community-led conservation efforts.

This report, authored by the Association of Indigenous Village Leaders in Suriname (VIDS), analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks in Suriname regarding Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs). It concludes that the state fails to legally recognize indigenous and tribal peoples as collectivities or acknowledge their collective rights to traditional lands and resources. This legal vacuum, combined with discriminatory legislation and the prioritization of 'public interest' for state-issued concessions, severely undermines the ability of these communities to govern their territories and conserve biodiversity. The report highlights a significant gap between international human rights standards—including a landmark judgment by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the Saramaka case—and national implementation.

This report analyzes the legal and institutional framework surrounding Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (ICCAs) in Taiwan. It examines the tension between traditional indigenous stewardship and a centralized state management system, highlighting the lack of explicit legal recognition for ICCAs despite recent legislative steps like the Basic Act of Indigenous Peoples.

The Minutes of EC-XXXIII document the 33rd Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council held on June 26, 2012, in Arlington, VA, USA. The meeting focused on financial reporting, the approval of new science research projects, and the establishment of a new tripartite governance structure for the IAI Directorate.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Work Plan for July 2012 to June 2013 outlines research initiatives, capacity building events, and administrative restructuring, including a planned move to Montevideo.

This report presents the results of a three-year investigation into the triple bottom line (TBL) performance of 1,337 small, medium-sized and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in developing countries. Conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the SEED Initiative, the study analyzes the social, environmental, and business targets of these enterprises across three cohorts of applicants. It highlights the critical role of technology, skills training, and research partnerships in the 'green economy,' while identifying significant barriers such as lack of financing, inadequate local environmental enforcement, and gender-based disparities in business management capacity.

The Regulations for the Proper Administration of Nature Reserves, published on 8 February 2012 under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003, establish a legal framework for the management, conservation, and use of nature reserves in South Africa. The document outlines the powers of management authorities, rules for public access, restrictions on biological resource use, and penalties for non-compliance.

This training module provides integrated environmental assessment (IEA) tools designed to help Caribbean nations align the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) with national and sectoral development priorities.

This briefing, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2012, synthesises key findings from the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX) specifically for ecosystem management. It examines the interplay between climate extremes, human vulnerability, and ecosystem resilience, advocating for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) as a cost-effective strategy to reduce disaster risk and support sustainable development.

The IAI Directorate Report (2011-2012) details the conclusion of the Second Collaborative Research Network (CRNII) and Small Grants Program for Human Dimensions (SGP-HD), the launch of new NSF-funded awards, and capacity-building initiatives across Latin America. It highlights research on land-use change in the La Plata basin, biodiversity in the tropical Andes, and the challenges of integrating natural and human sciences for policy. The report also documents significant operational difficulties in Brazil regarding staff contracting and taxation.

The report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) to the 20th Conference of the Parties (2012) details the outcomes of the second round of Cooperative Research Networks (CRNII) and the Human Dimensions Small Grants Program (SGP-HD). It highlights scientific findings on land-use change in the Plata Basin, the establishment of a Water Security Center of Excellence, and the launch of new NSF-funded grants (SGP-CRA and CRN3). The document also reports significant administrative challenges in Brazil, including severe IT connectivity issues and legal/tax disputes regarding the employment of Brazilian staff.

The 'Protocolos Comunitarios Bioculturales: Kit de Herramientas para Facilitadores Comunitarios' is a comprehensive guide published by Natural Justice in 2012. It provides a framework and a set of participatory tools to help Indigenous Peoples and local communities document their customary laws, values, and governance systems into 'biocultural community protocols'. These protocols are designed to empower communities to manage their territories, protect their collective biocultural heritage, and negotiate on equal terms with external actors such as governments, corporations, and NGOs.

Biocultural Community Protocols: A Toolkit for Community Facilitators is a comprehensive guide published by Natural Justice in 2012. It provides Indigenous peoples and local communities with a framework to document their customary laws, values, and decision-making processes into 'biocultural community protocols'. These instruments are designed to help communities secure their rights and territories, manage interactions with external actors (such as governments, researchers, and companies), and advocate for the stewardship of their collective biocultural heritage.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the ecosystem services concept, detailing the various benefits nature provides to humans and the methodologies used to assign them monetary value. It explores the classification of services into supporting, regulating, provisioning, and cultural categories, while also introducing the concept of 'ecosystem disservices'. The document offers guidance for integrating these values into policy-making at national, local, and corporate levels to promote sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.