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The IAI invested approximately US$20 million between 1995 and 2000 to establish multinational research networks in the Americas. This was achieved through four primary programs: Start-up Grants (SG), the Initial Science Program (ISP), the Collaborative Research Network (CRN), and the Program to Expand Scientific Capacity in the Americas (PESCA). The IAI's Science Agenda focused on four themes, with the largest funding allocation going to 'Changes in the Composition of the Atmosphere, Oceans and Fresh Waters'. The institute reports 145 publications resulting from ISP and CRN funding and emphasizes student training as a key mechanism for regional scientific development. However, the IAI notes a funding gap of over US$6 million for high-quality research proposals that remain unfunded.

The IAI Science Grant Program – Phase II (SGP-II) is a competitive funding initiative designed to support the development of multinational research networks addressing global change issues in the Americas. The program offers one-time awards of up to US$ 30,000 for projects lasting up to one year, with a specific priority on 'Integrated Assessment, Human Dimensions and Applications' (Theme IV) and the participation of young scientists. Eligible proposals must involve institutions from at least three IAI ratifying countries and align with the IAI Science Agenda's four primary themes: climate variability, ecosystem/biodiversity studies, atmospheric/oceanic composition, and integrated assessments.

The research examines the link between shared river systems and interstate conflict, finding that while joint rivers increase the probability of militarized disputes beyond simple contiguity, this effect is smaller than that of contiguity itself. The study notes that water scarcity and upstream-downstream relationships are associated with conflict, though these results are not strongly supported by systematic data on the specific issues involved.

Between October 1997 and January 1998, the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and partners conducted three regional workshops in Lima, Peru; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Fortaleza, Brazil. These meetings aimed to use probabilistic seasonal forecast information to reduce socioeconomic disruption caused by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The workshops involved climate scientists and stakeholders from sectors such as health, agriculture, and fisheries to create regional precipitation forecasts and design pilot application projects. Specific forecasts for the 1997-98 period predicted above-normal rainfall for coastal Ecuador and northern Peru, while predicting drier than normal conditions for most of northeast South America, including northern parts of Northeast Brazil.

The report examines the vulnerability of the Canadian Prairies' recreation and tourism sectors to climate change. It predicts that rising temperatures will extend the summer season for activities like golfing and camping but will shorten the winter season, threatening the viability of ski resorts. Environmental shifts, including the northward migration of the grassland ecozone and wildlife, are expected to shift hunting and viewing activities north. The document highlights potential socio-economic risks for rural communities diversifying into tourism and warns of increasing resource conflicts over scarce water between recreationists, farmers, and industry.

The report projects that global food requirements will increase significantly by 2050, driven by population growth and rising dietary standards in less developed countries (LDCs). While theoretical land and yield potentials exist, the report argues that meeting this demand will require massive increases in crop yields, a substantial expansion of cultivated land in Africa and Latin America, and a six-fold increase in cereal exports from developed regions. It highlights critical risks including soil degradation, water scarcity, and the environmental impact of forest clearance, suggesting a 'doubly green' revolution focused on sustainable intensification and policy reform to avoid food insecurity.

The report analyzes the sustainability of global food systems up to 2050, projecting a significant increase in food demand, particularly in less developed regions (LDCs). It argues that while global production can theoretically meet this demand through yield increases and land expansion, this requires massive shifts in trade, where developed regions (MDCs) must substantially increase cereal exports to Africa and the Middle East. The study highlights critical risks including soil degradation, water scarcity, and the need for a 'doubly green' revolution in agricultural technology to avoid environmental collapse.

The provided text is a metadata record for a 1994 MSc thesis by Elisabeth Kvarnström titled 'Water Supply in Lalitpur, Nepal – Case Study: Storage and Redistribution of Water from Hitis (Stone Spouts), in a Small, Urban Area'. While the record lists the thesis title and author, it does not provide the actual findings of the study, instead listing unrelated brief summaries and perspectives on water resources and climate policy from other sources.

The CARiDRO tool enables the assessment of meteorological and hydrological droughts at regional and grid-point levels. It utilizes the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation-Evaporation Index (SPEI), the latter of which incorporates water balance to evaluate the impact of warming. The system processes data from seven PRECIS regional climate model experiments (1961-2070) and two observed datasets (1901-2009). While designed to support policy and planning in agriculture and water resources, the tool currently requires users with a technical background in climatology.

The document details a dispute over coal prospecting rights granted by the Department of Minerals (DMR) to Samancor Chrome Limited, later ceded to Commissiekraal Coal (Pty) Ltd and Bright Coal (Pty) Ltd, on the Farm Commissiekraal in KwaZulu-Natal. The case is highlighted because the prospecting occurs at the headwaters of the Pongola river system, a highly sensitive area. While the landowner, Nico Lens, supported the activity, downstream users and environmental groups—including the Greater Pongola River Catchment Protection Association (GPRCPA), WWF, and the Impala Water Users Association—opposed it, citing a lack of consultation. The GPRCPA only discovered the operations by chance through a contractor. The case raises concerns regarding the DMR's interpretation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) concerning ecological degradation and the transparency of the transfer of prospecting rights. An administrative appeal against the prospecting right was lodged on 15 February 2011.

The Alto Maipo Hydroelectric Project (PHAM) is a large-scale run-of-the-river project in Chile with an installed capacity of 531 MW and an estimated annual output exceeding 2,100 GWh. Despite being pitched as a public good, the project faces significant opposition due to its potential to reduce the flow of the Yeso, Volcán, and Colorado Rivers by up to 60%, threatening drinking water for Santiago's 7 million residents and irrigation for 120,000 hectares of farmland. Financially, the project has seen costs rise to US$2.4 billion, with the Grupo Luksic consortium withdrawing in January 2017 at a loss of $350 million. The project is funded by several multilateral banks, including the IFC (US$150 million) and the IDB (US$200 million), both of which are facing complaints regarding violations of environmental and social policies. Environmental concerns include accelerated desertification, erosion of riverbeds, and risks to protected areas like the Glacial Natural Monument. The Chilean government has penalized the project for 14 separate violations of environmental norms.

The Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) is a regional initiative established by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) to foster collaboration between scientists and policymakers across the Americas. Its primary goal is to provide government officials and experts with robust scientific information to address complex, transboundary challenges related to global change, including climate change, biodiversity, and water resources. The SDC aims to act as a regional resource for capacity building, research, and the exchange of best practices in science diplomacy. Its strategic objectives include developing a science diplomacy knowledge center, creating training curricula for policymakers and diplomats, and convening diverse stakeholders to promote evidence-based decision-making and international cooperation.

The document provides a framework for member countries to identify and nominate candidates for the IAI's Science Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). It details specific selection criteria focusing on science policy expertise, experience with global and climate change, and international collaboration skills, particularly within the Americas. The process includes a call for applications, evaluation based on weighted criteria, and elections held during the IAI's Conference of the Parties (CoP) meeting.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) was established in 1992 following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to conduct multinational collaborative research on global environmental change in the Americas. Its mission is to advance scientific understanding of these phenomena and their socioeconomic implications to support policy-makers in member countries. The IAI's Science Agenda focuses on two primary themes: understanding climate change and variability, and conducting comparative studies of ecosystems, biodiversity, land use, and water resources.

The SAVi analysis of the SAGCOT Initiative in Tanzania compares flood irrigation with drip irrigation across three scenarios. It finds that while drip irrigation requires higher capital investment, it can yield significantly higher net benefits (USD 39.21 million in a low-capex scenario) compared to flood irrigation (USD 12.88 million). By 2030, drip irrigation is projected to increase employment and agricultural production by 8% each while reducing water use by 14% relative to flood irrigation.

The IISD program on Environment, Conflict and Peacebuilding investigates the links between environmental change, natural resource governance, and human security to support conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction. The program employs a three-pillar approach consisting of research, policy, and practice, which includes analyzing emerging threats, promoting policy mechanisms to address root causes of insecurity, and training practitioners in conflict-sensitive programming. Specific project examples include assessing climate change threats in the Jordan River basin, analyzing Canada's security agenda regarding the Arctic and energy sources, and advising UN agencies on integrating environmental management into peacebuilding.

The Great Plains region has experienced increasing average temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns, with winter temperatures in northern states rising by more than 6°F over the last 30 years. Climate change is projected to exacerbate the depletion of the High Plains (Ogallala) aquifer, particularly in the southern region where unsustainable water use and extreme heat are already prevalent. Agriculture and livestock are highly vulnerable; rising temperatures are expected to shift crop zones, increase pest prevalence, and reduce livestock yields, with a projected 10% decline in cow/calf and dairy operations under higher emissions scenarios. Ecosystems, specifically prairie potholes and playa lakes, face threats from altered evaporation and recharge rates, which impacts migratory birds and aquifer replenishment. The document also highlights the vulnerability of 65 Native American tribes on rural lands facing water quantity and quality issues.

The document analyzes the HighNoon project, which began in 2009 to assess the impacts of Himalayan glacier retreat and monsoon changes on water resources in Northern India. It focuses on how modeled climate and hydrological data, combined with stakeholder perspectives, can be used to recommend response strategies for hydrological extreme events and guide government investments in information systems.

The paper argues that while small hydropower plants (SHP) are vital for Colombia's energy transition and decentralization, they are increasingly threatened by climate-driven water instability. It identifies a gap in risk assessment research, which has historically focused on large reservoirs, and introduces a flexible framework based on sensitivity, adaptive capacity, and hazard indicators to guide climate adaptation for SHPs nationwide.

The document argues that Ethiopia's current economic development targets, as outlined in the 10-Year Development Plan (10-YDP), may be unsustainable because they increase water stress and climate vulnerability. While climate action is increasingly integrated into economic planning, the paper finds that national planning fails to adequately account for water resource requirements and their vulnerability to climate shocks. The authors suggest that water use efficiency alone is insufficient and call for proactive, cross-sectoral, and multilevel water-sensitive governance to prevent water challenges from undermining development gains.