Search Climate Insights Directory

The IAI is implementing a tripartite structure with headquarters operations moving to Montevideo and a strategic office in Buenos Aires. Research priorities include monitoring CRN3 projects, finalizing a MacArthur Foundation project on tropical Andean biodiversity, and leading the Latin American network for Future Earth. Capacity building includes a modeling event in Panama City and the management of seed grants. Policy engagement focuses on contributions to IPBES, the UNFCCC's SBSTA, and planned events for the UNFCCC COP in Lima regarding environmental monitoring and global change governance.

The March 2014 Bonn Climate Change Conference served as a critical session for the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) to define the elements of a post-2020 universal climate agreement. A primary point of contention emerged regarding the scope of intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs), with developed nations viewing them as mitigation-only commitments while the G77/China sought to bundle them with adaptation and finance. The session also included technical workshops on renewable energy and energy efficiency to address the pre-2020 ambition gap and encourage subnational engagement.

The document proposes a comprehensive approach to climate management in the Great Lakes Region consisting of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, eliminating direct human pressures on the environment to increase ecosystem resilience, and planning for inevitable future climate impacts due to the long-term persistence of atmospheric emissions.

The authors call for the urgent capitalization of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), suggesting that an injection of finance would signal political commitment and rebuild trust between parties before the 2015 Paris agreement. They highlight the GCF's role in scaling innovative projects, such as the African Risk Capacity insurance mechanism and Chile's MAPS project, and emphasize the need to address the funding gap for adaptation in vulnerable countries. The text echoes calls for capitalization of at least US$10 billion to US$15 billion by November.

The document examines the critical role of dryland forests in Southern Africa, highlighting their vulnerability to deforestation and climate change. It proposes a 'nexus approach' to overcome the marginalisation of the forestry sector by demonstrating its interdependencies with water, energy, and food security. The author argues that integrated landscape management and multi-sectoral policy coordination can identify win-win solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation, such as agroforestry and payment for watershed services.

The city of Chiang Mai implemented a non-motorised transport (NMT) system to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and address urban pressures caused by rapid growth and tourism. This initiative provided co-benefits including improved air quality, reduced traffic congestion, and income generation for the urban poor. While the project served as a catalyst for broader low-carbon action and sustainable land-use practices within the city, it also highlighted a trade-off: local initiatives can reduce in situ emissions but cannot address the emissions generated by tourists traveling to the destination.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) outlines five 'do's and don'ts' for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board to ensure the fund effectively delivers resources for climate mitigation and adaptation. These recommendations cover investment criteria, financial risk management, accreditation of entities, results management, and the proposal approval process, emphasizing the need for a high risk appetite and a balance between top-down and bottom-up proposals to support international climate action ahead of COP 21.

The research paper outlines a strategy for 'climate compatible development' in African cities, which integrates climate change adaptation and mitigation with urban development. It emphasizes the need to work with informality and inequality, as a large portion of African urban growth occurs in slums. The authors propose a vision for 'adaptive African cities' and provide a practical eight-step model for community-based development, ranging from visioning and vulnerability mapping to the prioritisation of adaptation options and the tracking of outcomes.

The document details Chiang Mai's transition toward sustainable urban tourism by implementing a non-motorised transport (NMT) strategy. Facing rapid growth and high emissions from the tourism sector—which generated 4,417,511 tons of CO2e in 2011—the city focused on walking and cycling to mitigate climate impact and alleviate poverty. The initiative, supported by the Mayor and a multi-stakeholder partnership, aims to increase bicycle lane networks from 4% to 10% in the city centre. The project served as a catalyst for further low-carbon policies, including a Global Environment Facility (GEF) pilot project and the proposed Chiang Mai City Council for Climate Change.

The document examines the 'Sustainable Urban Tourism through Low Carbon Initiatives' project in Hue, Vietnam. It identifies that the tourism sector emitted approximately 492,200 tons of CO2e in 2011, with travel being the largest source. The city promoted 'garden houses' as a viable mitigation strategy because they act as carbon sinks, reduce waste through composting, and lower freight emissions by producing local food. This approach also supports local employment, particularly for middle-aged women and non-motorised transport operators. While the initiative reduced in-situ emissions and strengthened the city's commitment to sustainable tourism, the document notes a trade-off: increased tourist attraction may lead to higher overall emissions from travel to the city, which exceeds local reductions.

The Western Province of Sri Lanka is utilizing urban and peri-urban agriculture and forestry to enhance climate resilience, specifically through the rehabilitation of abandoned paddy lands and the intensification of home gardening. Pilot projects in Kesbewa demonstrate that these interventions can reduce flood risks by improving storm water infiltration and lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing food transport needs. The document argues for a 'green mosaic' urban design and the alignment of local, provincial, and national policies—including the revision of the Paddy Act—to scale these low-cost adaptation strategies.

The report identifies a critical lack of institutional and individual capacity for climate compatible development (CCD) in Angola, particularly within universities, which are largely disconnected from national climate research. While the government has established policy frameworks and some international projects (such as those by UNDP and GEF) employ transdisciplinary approaches, university-level research and curriculum integration are nearly non-existent. The report highlights urgent needs for meteorological data, skilled researchers in hydrology and agro-meteorology, and the development of CCD materials in Portuguese. Potential pathways for improvement include the newly established Centre of Excellence for Sciences Applied to Sustainability (CESSAF) and the Climate Change and Tropical Ecology Research Centre at José Eduardo dos Santos University.

The report identifies Tanzania's high vulnerability to climate change, particularly in agriculture and coastal zones, and assesses the capacity of its universities to support climate compatible development (CCD). It highlights significant gaps in baseline data, specialized technical skills, and institutional coordination, while noting the potential for interdisciplinary research and the need for curriculum innovation to integrate CCD into higher education.

The report identifies Zambia's high vulnerability to climate change, specifically in agriculture and water security, and assesses the role of higher education institutions in addressing these challenges. It highlights significant gaps in climate modelling, carbon marketing, and the integration of CCD into national curricula, while identifying strengths in solar energy research and disaster management training.

The report assesses Zimbabwe's capacity for climate compatible development (CCD), identifying significant research and institutional gaps despite a strong tradition of academic publishing. It highlights the need for interdisciplinary research, curriculum innovation, and better integration of indigenous knowledge to address vulnerabilities in agriculture, water, and health.

The report identifies Botswana as highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly regarding water shortages and agricultural yields. It finds that while universities like the University of Botswana and Botswana College of Agriculture possess significant individual expertise, there is a critical lack of overarching national CCD policy and institutional coordination. The document argues for a shift toward transdisciplinary research and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems to build climate resilience.

The report identifies a significant gap between Malawi's high vulnerability to climate change and its institutional capacity to respond. While universities are increasingly integrating CCD into curricula and research—particularly in agriculture, water, and forestry—these efforts are heavily dependent on donor funding and often remain fragmented. The document calls for a national research strategy, increased budgetary allocations, and a shift toward transdisciplinary knowledge co-production involving government, academia, and the private sector.

The report identifies Mauritius as highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly in its coastal zones, and maps the role of higher education institutions in addressing these risks. While universities show strength in mitigation and renewable energy research, there are significant gaps in adaptation research, long-term baseline data, and transdisciplinary collaboration. The document argues for a more integrated approach to CCD, emphasizing the need for curriculum innovation, improved data sharing through a national repository, and stronger partnerships between academia and government.

The report identifies Mozambique as highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly regarding agriculture, coastal areas, and disaster risk. It finds significant gaps in technical capacity, research funding, and the integration of CCD into university curricula. While some research exists at institutions like Eduardo Mondlane University, there is a lack of international publication and a need for transdisciplinary approaches to knowledge co-production.

The report identifies Namibia as highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly in agriculture and water resources. It finds that while national policies like the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2012) are strong, there is a significant gap in translating these into university curricula and coordinated research. The University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Polytechnic of Namibia are key partners, with UNAM's Multidisciplinary Research Centre (MRC) emerging as a hub for interdisciplinary work. However, the report highlights a lack of dedicated CCD postgraduate degrees, insufficient institutional coordination, and a need for greater transdisciplinary research that engages local communities and indigenous knowledge.