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This report details the activities of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate from 1 July 2023 to 13 October 2023. It focuses on the implementation of decisions from the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-31), specifically regarding research programs on climate-health and ocean systems, science diplomacy, and the expansion of institutional associations.

The IAI Executive Directorate has advanced several strategic mandates from CoP-31, including the launch of a climate, environment, and health research program, the establishment of an Oceans, Islands, and Coastal Regions Committee, and the expansion of scientific diplomacy initiatives. Key achievements include the distribution of initial grants to 12 research teams across 15 countries, the development of partnerships with the University of the West Indies and the Global Change Research Center in Paraguay, and the implementation of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship with 45 fellows. The Directorate is also coordinating regional efforts on the Amazon and tropical forests, as well as enhancing gender and indigenous inclusion through new advisory committees and targeted funding for underrepresented researchers.

The authors argue that the Norwegian Arts Council's 2023-2030 strategy exhibits 'klimablindhet' (climate blindness) by failing to use the word 'climate' once, despite the urgent global climate crisis. They contrast this with the proactive approaches of the Danish Arts Foundation (Statens Kunstfond) and Arts Council England, which provide CO2 calculations, training, and strategic environmental programs. The authors claim that Norwegian cultural actors fear losing public support if they engage in climate critique, particularly regarding Norway's oil policy, and call for the Arts Council to acknowledge the climate crisis and support the sector's role in a just transition.

The document argues that climate change is a health emergency in Canada, citing record-breaking heat and wildfires in 2023. It calls on the Minister of Health to lead decarbonization of the healthcare system, address fossil fuel pollution as a root cause of health harms, and implement the National Adaptation Strategy to protect vulnerable populations.

A study by World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change significantly increased the intensity and likelihood of an early spring heat event in South America, which affected Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The event, occurring approximately once every 30 years in the current climate, would have been 1.4 to 4.3 °C cooler without human-caused warming. The study notes that the likelihood of such an event has increased by at least 100 times due to climate change. Future warming of 2°C above pre-industrial levels is projected to make similar events five times more likely and 1.1 to 1.6 °C hotter. The researchers highlight a lack of heat action plans in the affected region, which increases vulnerability for the urban poor and ecosystems, despite the fact that adaptation can reduce morbidity and mortality.

The document reports that the average person in the U.S. breathed more harmful wildfire smoke in 2023 than in any year since 2006, driven largely by record-shattering wildfires in Canada. It details how fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from these fires travels thousands of miles, affecting every county in the contiguous U.S. and stalling air quality improvements in 30 states. The text links these trends to a warming climate and increasing 'fire weather,' noting that human-caused climate change accounts for at least two-thirds of the rapid increase in fire weather in the western U.S.

The document explains the 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature goal, the risks associated with exceeding it, the necessary actions to achieve it, and how journalists should communicate these issues to the public.

The text highlights the critical role of wetland ecosystems in providing services to humans, particularly for the poorest communities, while noting that 64%–71% of global wetlands have been lost since the 20th century due to factors like land use change, climate change, and resource extraction.

The document advocates for the inclusion of all financial institutions—including banks, insurers, asset managers, and institutional investors—within the scope of the CSDDD. It argues that the sector's immense scale and influence make it integral to preventing human rights and environmental harms. The briefing highlights that excluding the sector would contradict UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines, and would leave a gap in conduct requirements that existing EU regulations like the SFDR and CSRD do not fill. It recommends that the CSDDD explicitly cover financing, investment, and advisory activities, while allowing for proportionate differentiation in how different types of financial entities meet their obligations without diluting the fundamental duties.

The briefing examines the necessity of including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing within the scope of the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). It highlights that IUU fishing accounts for approximately 20% of wild-caught ocean fish annually and acts as a multiplier for environmental degradation, including the decline of fish stocks and destruction of marine habitats. The document critiques current Commission and Council proposals for being too restrictive and instead recommends a cumulative approach that combines specific categories of environmental impacts (such as biodiversity loss and marine ecosystem degradation) with a comprehensive list of international environmental conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Paris Agreement.

The data tables detail the information needs of 1,033 U.S. adults, showing a general preference for questions about climate solutions, though this varies significantly by political affiliation and climate belief groups. While 44% of the total population prioritizes solutions, those in the 'Alarmed' group are most focused on solutions (82%), whereas 'Dismissive' individuals are most interested in evidence (50%).

The document outlines TEEPSA's proposal to extract gas and explore for other reserves in Block 11B/12B, located 75 km from Cape St Francis and 120 km from Mossel Bay. It details the planned drilling activities, the use of the F-A platform, and the potential environmental and social impacts, including risks to marine biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the climate. While TEEPSA claims the project will create thousands of jobs and provide a lower-carbon alternative to coal for power generation, the guide highlights concerns regarding fossil fuel investment and the disruption of cultural and spiritual connections to the sea.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) outlines a values-based approach to scientist-community partnerships, emphasizing mutual respect, transparency, and the integration of community and Indigenous knowledge. The guide provides a step-by-step process for initiating collaborations, overcoming professional and social barriers, and ensuring equitable outcomes through tools like Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and restorative justice practices.

The brief, submitted by ClientEarth and The Shareholder Commons, opposes efforts by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) to eliminate SEC Rule 14a-8. The authors argue that climate change represents a systemic financial risk that is material to all businesses, affecting them through physical damages, transition risks, and litigation. They contend that a divergence of interests exists between corporate managers, who may prioritize short-term gains, and diversified shareholders, who are exposed to broader economic instability (beta risk). The brief asserts that Rule 14a-8 is a critical tool for investor stewardship, allowing shareholders to hold management accountable and mitigate catastrophic systemic risks.

The document outlines the interconnectedness of the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice. It argues that current economic and social systems based on fossil fuels and overconsumption are unsustainable, leading to severe impacts such as rising sea levels, water scarcity, and air pollution. The guide advocates for a fundamental shift toward circular economies, sustainable agriculture, and a 'just transition' that prioritizes the rights of the poor, women, and indigenous populations to ensure the planet's regeneration.

The document argues that the current climate and ecological crisis is driven by economic and social systems reliant on fossil fuels and overconsumption. It calls for a fundamental shift toward renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and circular economic practices to protect biodiversity and ensure social justice. The guide emphasizes that the poorest populations suffer most from environmental degradation despite being the least responsible, advocating for a 'just transition' and the protection of human rights to clean air and water. It urges governments and individuals to move from a relationship of exploitation to one of care for the planet.

The document summarizes insights from the first Science Day, arguing that centering scientific evidence, local knowledge, and transdisciplinary research is essential to overcome stalled progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It recommends that governments move beyond goal-setting to focus on ground-level outcomes, address policy incoherence and trade-offs, and utilize systemic framing to navigate simultaneous global crises.

The report details a scenario exercise where experts simulated the collapse of ecosystems in a fictional Southeast Asian state to explore the resulting security risks. The exercise demonstrated a feedback loop where ecological failure—specifically the collapse of fisheries and agriculture—triggered food insecurity, mass migration, and internal conflict. This instability led to a political shift from a semi-democratic system to an authoritarian state, as ruling elites prioritized self-preservation and stability over ecological restoration. The findings suggest that preventing ecological disruption is significantly more effective than attempting restoration during a security crisis, and the report recommends integrating ecological security into global security frameworks and investing in early governance stability.

The Center for Climate and Security (CCS) submitted recommendations for the First National Nature Assessment (NNA1), which is scheduled for completion in 2026. CCS advocates for expanding the assessment's geographic scope to include ecosystems near US installations abroad and broadening the analysis of nature-based solutions, food and water security, and human migration. Specifically, CCS suggests including unprotected nature and anthropogenic ecosystems in hazard aversion analysis, conducting benefit-cost comparisons between nature-based and synthetic solutions, and examining the impact of international ecological changes on US supply chains.

The report examines the sugar cane sector, noting that while it supports over 100 million people globally, many smallholder farmers in developing countries remain in poverty due to low farm gate prices and high production costs. It evaluates the role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSSs) like Bonsucro and Fairtrade, noting that while approximately 8% of global production is VSS-compliant, the impact on farmer income is limited by a lack of demand for sustainable cane sugar. The document highlights that farmers face climate-related crop losses, biodiversity loss, and water depletion, alongside economic pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic and rising fertilizer costs.