Search Climate Insights Directory

A transcript of a December 2008 address by Jonathan Lash of the World Resources Institute outlining key environmental questions for 2009, focusing on green economic stimulus, U.S. climate legislation, U.S.-China relations, and global forest protection.

Minutes from the 26th Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on June 17-18, 2008, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The document details discussions on scientific programming, financial status, strategic planning, and administrative relations with member countries and the host nation, Brazil.

The document contains the minutes of the Twenty-Sixth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on June 17-18, 2008, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The meeting focused on science program updates, financial reporting, strategic planning for the next decade, and administrative challenges regarding the Host Country Agreement with Brazil.

This report examines the integration of sustainable development into the regional and bilateral trade arrangements of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), comprising South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It analyzes the tension between trade liberalization and national development goals, the impact of the SACU Revenue Sharing Formula, and the outcomes of various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The study concludes that most trade deals focus almost exclusively on market access, neglecting social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

This research paper argues that Swaziland (now Eswatini) requires urgent political and institutional reform to address severe socio-economic crises, including widespread poverty, a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic, and an absolute monarchy that lacks accountability.

This report summarizes a September 2008 WTO Public Forum session organized by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Friends of the Earth Europe (FOEE). The discussion, featuring legal experts, examined the evolution of WTO jurisprudence regarding environmental and health measures, the impact of the Brazil – Retreaded Tyres decision, and the specific challenges faced by developing countries in trade-environment dispute settlements.

Mr Peter Edopu of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) announced the launch of the Environmental Crime Project in Entebbe, Uganda. Developed in partnership with EAPCCO (a sub-regional INTERPOL office) and funded by the German government, the project aims to combat environmental crimes in Eastern Africa. It is part of the broader ISS Environmental Security Programme, which addresses issues such as climate change, energy security, and natural resource conflict across Sub-Saharan Africa by building a knowledge base and enhancing law enforcement capacity.

A speech by Doris Murimi, Deputy Director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), marking the launch of a joint Environmental Crime Project with the East African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 30-31, 2008.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the European Union (EU) and South Africa, culminating in a July 2008 Heads of State summit in France. The document details the shift from a development-focused relationship to a strategic alliance aimed at addressing global geopolitical changes, energy security, and African development.

A statement by the South African Institute of International Affairs reflecting on Africa Day 2008, arguing that celebrations of the continent's beauty and culture must be balanced with a critical assessment of governance failures, political instability, and humanitarian crises.

This research paper examines the successful 2006 citizen activism campaign in Uganda to save the Mabira Central Forest Reserve from being donated to the Mehta Group for sugar production. It details how a coalition of civil society, religious, and cultural groups used empirical research, legal challenges, and public mobilization to expose governance deficits and block the government's proposal. The paper highlights the evolution of environmental law in Uganda, the importance of public access to information, and the intersection of environmental conservation with national governance and accountability.

The minutes of the Fourteenth Meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP), held June 14-15, 2007, in Manaus, Brazil, detail the institutional review, budgetary approvals, and strategic planning of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. The meeting focused on improving the translation of scientific research into policy-relevant action, renewing the Director's contract, and approving new human dimensions research projects.

The document contains the minutes of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on June 14-15, 2007, in Manaus, Brazil. The meeting focused on institutional evaluation, financial approvals, the renewal of the Executive Director's contract, and the approval of scientific projects related to human dimensions of global change.

The document contains the minutes of the Twenty-Fifth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on November 28-29, 2007, in Arlington, VA, USA. The meeting focused on the IAI's financial status, the results of an external review by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the initiation of a new strategic planning process.

The minutes of the 25th Executive Council (EC) meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on November 28-29, 2007, in Arlington, VA, USA. The meeting focused on the IAI's financial status, the results of an external evaluation by the AAAS, and the establishment of terms of reference for a new long-term strategic plan.

This document is a budget request from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) for the 2008/2009 fiscal year, including preliminary projections for 2009-2011. It details the funding required for the IAI Directorate's operations, scientific programs, capacity building, and administrative costs, while outlining the expected contributions from member countries.

The minutes of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Conference of the Parties (CoP), held June 19-20, 2008, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, detail the institute's operational progress, financial status, and strategic planning. The meeting focused on the science-policy dialogue, the development of a new strategic plan, and the approval of the FY 2008-2009 core budget and country contributions.

The document contains the minutes of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-XV) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 19-20, 2008. The meeting focused on national reports from member countries, the approval of the 2008-2009 annual program and operating budget, the development of a new strategic plan, and the election of members for the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Executive Committee (CE).

This quarterly financial report for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), dated May 31, 2008, details the institute's operational budget, program expenditures, and administrative status. It highlights a heavy reliance on four major contributors, the implementation of the Collaborative Research Network II (CRN-II), and challenges regarding the Host Country Agreement with Brazil.

The report details the findings and discussions of the Administration and Finance Committee (FAC) meeting held from May 5 to 7, 2008, in Toronto, Canada. The committee reviewed the proposed 2008/09 core budget, discussed the need to update the Host Country Agreement with Brazil to address tax exemptions and office space, and addressed operational issues including a cash theft and subcontracting challenges with INPE.