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The SAC and SPAC conducted joint monthly meetings to coordinate on several regional initiatives, including the development of a Gender and EDI Policy, the establishment of the Science Diplomacy Center, and the creation of IPCC policy briefs for the Latin American and Caribbean region. Key activities included a training program on transdisciplinary research for climate, environment, and health responders, and participation in the Americas Conference on Solar Radiation Modification. The committees recommend that the IAI Directorate establish a formal research and training program on the climate-environment-health nexus and participate in the Hydro-Climate Research Program of the Andes (ANDEX).

This document, prepared by the IAI Directorate, presents preliminary findings from a Regional Assessment of IAI Parties' priorities regarding global change policy. The assessment utilized surveys, listening sessions, and the analysis of 86 policy documents to map the domestic and international global change policy landscape, identifying current and emerging priorities as well as barriers to integrating scientific information into decision-making.

The report details a regional assessment conducted by the IAI to map national and international global change policies and decision-making landscapes. Using surveys, listening sessions, and policy document analysis, the assessment identifies 'Climate Action' as the top current policy priority for member parties, followed by 'Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services'. It also highlights emerging priorities related to social consequences, such as human health and poverty, and identifies intersectoral collaboration gaps as a primary barrier to integrating scientific information into policy decisions.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, representing MEJCON-SA and MACUA, submitted a formal objection on May 9, 2023, against Tetra4 (Pty) LTD's application to amend its Water Use Licence (WUL) for the Cluster 2 expansion of gas and helium production near Virginia, Free State. The objection argues that the Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan (IWWMP) fails to adequately assess risks of groundwater contamination, radioactive waste, municipal water stress, and the compounding effects of climate change on a region critical for South African food security.

The project aims to establish a climate-resilient water sector in Saint Lucia to address vulnerabilities caused by extreme weather, droughts, and aging infrastructure. It proposes a four-component approach: strengthening water governance and tariff structures, implementing integrated watershed management, upgrading physical water supply systems (including the John Compton Dam), and building capacity for vulnerable users through rainwater harvesting. The initiative is led by the Caribbean Development Bank and UNOPS, targeting 134,167 direct beneficiaries.

The report examines the intersection of CIF investments and just transitions within Bolivia's water sector, highlighting how climate change and human activity are exacerbating a water crisis and the need for inclusive management practices.

The UN 2023 Water Conference, held in New York, focused on accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) through the Water Action Agenda. The event resulted in approximately 700 voluntary commitments totaling USD 300 billion and the announcement of a UN Special Envoy for Water. Discussions emphasized the water-food-energy nexus, the human right to water and sanitation, and the need for innovative finance and improved global water data. While the conference generated significant political momentum and new partnerships, analysis suggests that many pledges lack quantifiable targets and that the international community must quadruple its efforts to meet 2030 goals.

The compendium outlines the technical requirements and eligible activities for the Green Climate Fund's Simplified Approval Process (SAP), which is designed to reduce the time and effort for preparing, reviewing, and approving small-scale projects (up to USD 25 million) with minimal environmental and social risks. It provides sectoral guidelines for agriculture, ecosystems, water security, cities, energy efficiency, land use, REDD+, renewable energy, and transport, detailing how to achieve a 'paradigm shift' and measure impact using the GCF's Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF).

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has published a technical compendium to streamline the preparation of funding proposals under the Simplified Approval Process (SAP). The SAP is designed to reduce the time and effort required for the preparation, review, and approval of small-scale activities, specifically targeting developing countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). To be eligible for SAP, projects must request a GCF contribution of no more than 25 million USD and present minimal or no environmental and social risks. The guide provides detailed sectoral frameworks for agriculture, ecosystems, water security, cities, energy efficiency, forestry, REDD+, renewable energy, and transport, outlining eligible activities, indicators for measuring impact, and examples of 'paradigm shifts' required for GCF investment.

The analysis finds that Rwanda's economy is highly vulnerable to water supply fluctuations and a heavy reliance on run-of-river hydropower. While the 'Vision 2050' growth trajectory would increase water demand by 1140%, the 'Water Resilient Vision 2050' (WRes2050) scenario suggests that combining a reduction in hydropower dependence (from 40% to 20%) with diversified supply- and demand-side interventions can maintain GDP growth while reducing water-related losses. Key recommendations include tripling water storage from 100 to 300 MCM, improving irrigation efficiency, and establishing Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES).

The GCF Water Project Design Guidelines Part 1 establish a structured four-phase process—Scoping, Situation Analysis, Project Design, and Action Planning—to ensure water projects are climate-resilient and eligible for funding. The guide emphasizes an integrated systems approach, combining the Natural Resource System (NRS), Socio-Economic System (SES), and Administrative and Institutional System (AIS). A central requirement is the 'climate rationale,' which must use a 'climate science base' of historical and projected data to prove that projects address climate-induced risks rather than just general development needs. The guidelines advocate for adaptive management tools like Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) and Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways (DAPP) to handle uncertainty. Finally, the document links technical design steps to GCF's six investment criteria, including impact potential, paradigm shift potential, and country ownership, to ensure proposals are 'bankable' and aligned with National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The GCF Water Project Design Guidelines Part 2 outlines a structured approach to developing investment-oriented water projects that address climate change. It details the specific requirements and recommended measures for four key areas: Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Drought Risk Management, and Flood Risk Management. The guide emphasizes the need for a strong climate science basis, the use of specific analytical tools, and the implementation of both 'grey' and 'green' infrastructure. Special attention is given to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), highlighting their unique vulnerabilities to sea-level rise and freshwater scarcity. The document also provides a framework for assessing project impact, paradigm shift potential, and sustainable development co-benefits to align with GCF's strategic goals.

The submission argues that the GHCS was developed without sufficient transparency or civil society participation and warns against over-investing in a speculative green hydrogen export market at the expense of addressing South Africa's urgent electricity crisis. It calls for a strict definition of 'green hydrogen' based on additionality, comprehensive cost-benefit analyses, and robust safety and environmental regulations before public funds are committed.

The report argues that the rapid deployment of renewable energy in the Global South often mirrors the destructive patterns of the fossil fuel era, leading to 'green grabbing' and 'energy colonialism'. Through case studies, it demonstrates how mega-solar projects in India and lithium mining in Argentina displace communities and deplete water resources, while political obstacles and outdated grids hinder decentralized energy access in Bangladesh and Palestine. The document advocates for a feminist energy transition centered on energy sovereignty, small-scale decentralized technology, and the protection of land and water rights.

The analysis finds that interactions between key SDG targets are generally synergetic at a global level under a 1.5°C warming limit, with climate finance and policy mainstreaming acting as primary accelerators for other goals.

The Stockholm Environment Institute has developed WASH Flows, a Microsoft Excel-based tool that links household-level WASH data with watershed-scale modelling, such as WEAP. By bridging the gap between WASH services and Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), the tool allows users to estimate service levels, identify vulnerable communities, and model the impact of interventions on water balance and quality. A case study in the Tupiza watershed in Bolivia demonstrated the tool's ability to establish a service baseline—revealing significant gaps in safely managed water (25%) and sanitation (4%)—and to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed drinking water and decentralized sanitation systems in increasing drought resilience.

The Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network is a three-year initiative supported by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It aims to improve water and energy security and climate resilience in the Mekong Subregion by strengthening the capacity of knowledge-based policy influence organisations (KBPIOs). The program focuses on inclusive knowledge co-production and the engagement of vulnerable and marginalised groups. It is managed by a consortium of eight organisations led by the Stockholm Environment Institute - Asia Centre. The program funds flagship studies (up to AUD 250,000) and rapid response projects (up to AUD 50,000) addressing specific issues such as transboundary water disaster risks, urban heat resilience, and gender-sensitizing infrastructure in the Mekong Delta.

The IAI Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) held its first advisory board meeting in November 2022 to establish a framework for strengthening the science-policy interface in the Americas. The board defined a vision focused on peaceful and sustainable regional development through transdisciplinary collaborations and set goals including the creation of a science diplomacy knowledge hub and regional training. Key recommendations include focusing on 'Climate Action' as a priority thematic area, leveraging the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program to produce non-technical policy briefs, and developing a strategic communication plan to attract diverse funding from foundations and member Parties. The meeting also highlighted the need for contextualized training that includes scientists, diplomats, and journalists, and the establishment of a formal mentorship program to bridge the gap between early-career researchers and policy-makers.

The IAI Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) held its first advisory board meeting in November 2022 to define its mission, vision, and goals for enhancing science diplomacy in the Americas. The board identified 'Climate Action' as a primary initial focus area and recommended the development of a Strategic Communication Plan to provide decision-makers with digestible, non-technical scientific information. The SDC aims to operate as a knowledge hub and leverage the STeP Fellowship Program to build regional capacity, while exploring sustainable funding through grants, donations, or matching fund structures.

The IAI's Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) Advisory Board met in Uruguay in November 2022 to define the Center's strategic framework. The Center aims to facilitate regional collaboration on global change challenges, specifically prioritizing 'Climate Action' as a common ground for member states. Key recommendations include developing a Strategic Communication Plan to provide policymakers with jargon-free scientific reports and exploring sustainable funding through grants, donations, or matching fund structures. The Center will also seek synergies with the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program to build regional capacity in science diplomacy.