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The report analyzes how the IAI transitioned its funding programs from a natural-science focus to a more interdisciplinary approach. It finds that simply changing funding requirements is insufficient; instead, a 'bundled' approach—including experiential learning, networking, mentorship, and connecting research to tangible problems—is necessary to overcome academic incentives that favor disciplinary work. The study highlights a significant increase in social science integration and South-South collaboration across its Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) and Small Grants Program on the Human Dimensions (SGP-HD).

This guide, published by Natural Justice in December 2014, provides an overview of regional and international grievance and advocacy mechanisms available to indigenous peoples and local communities. It categorizes these tools into UN human rights systems, regional human rights systems, international and regional financial institutions, industry-specific standards, and other advocacy opportunities, detailing eligibility, processes, and potential barriers for each.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Sao Paulo State Foundation (FAPESP) signed a ten-year agreement in October 2014. FAPESP becomes an Associate of the IAI to collaborate on global change research, capacity building, and the science-policy interface across the Americas. The agreement emphasizes open data, joint funding mechanisms, and the support of young scientists, overseen by a Joint Steering Committee.

The analysis finds that armed conflict in Africa generally follows a global pattern of decline when measured relative to population growth, though this was disrupted by the Cold War and has seen a recent uptick since 2010. Africa is uniquely characterized by high levels of 'non-state conflict'—violence between armed groups not involving the government—which the author attributes to weak governance. While terrorism is rising globally, the Middle East is currently experiencing faster growth than Africa. The paper also highlights that internal conflicts now dominate globally over interstate wars, and warns that climate change may increase local conflicts over resources in northern and southern Africa.

The 38th Meeting of the IAI Executive Council focused on establishing the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), drafting a statement on climate change adaptation for the UNFCCC COP 20, and adopting Research Gate to enhance scientific collaboration. The Council also elected a new leadership board and reviewed actions from previous meetings.

The IAI Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) report for 2013-2014 details the implementation of the CRN3 project process, including 17 international teams and various integration projects. The SAC is promoting a shift toward interdisciplinarity between human and natural sciences in global change research, emphasizing co-designed research and capacity building. Key strategic activities include evaluating science impact beyond publishing, exploring roles within Future Earth and IPBES, and developing a framework for a Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). The report also highlights a need for the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to address SAC membership vacancies to maintain the required 10-member count.

The SAC report for 2013-2014 details the implementation of the CRN3 project, the promotion of interdisciplinary research between social and natural sciences, and the evaluation of scientific impact. It outlines strategic goals including the integration of Future Earth as an organizing theme, the development of capacity-building programs, and the need to involve indigenous peoples of the Americas in regional scientific efforts.

The document argues that disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation have evolved separately despite significant overlaps. It highlights that while DRR focuses on near-term risks and emergency management, adaptation takes a longer-term view of adjusting to climatic shifts. The brief emphasizes that both are driven by exposure and vulnerability, which are often exacerbated by poor development planning. It calls for a transformative approach that prioritizes vulnerability reduction over simple risk management, integrating human rights and sustainable development to prevent the creation of new risks.

The initiative focuses on the arid Americas, specifically addressing water scarcity driven by climate change and human demands. It emphasizes the strategic importance of groundwater and the need for shared methodologies to assess aquifer depletion and agricultural water use, which accounts for 70% to 90% of water consumption in the region.

The IAI Science Advisory Committee (SAC) has alerted the Executive Council and Conference of the Parties (CoP) to a critical membership shortage. With six vacancies opening in June 2013 and three more in 2014, the SAC faces a near-complete turnover of membership. The committee is seeking highly qualified scientists with expertise in natural sciences, social sciences, and public health to provide credibility and guidance for the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) programs over the next five years.

The report examines the potential for reducing global GHG emissions by relocating production of carbon-intensive goods to regions with lower emissions intensities. It finds significant variation in GHG intensity across countries for products like clothing and steel, suggesting that shifting production could yield benefits that outweigh increased transport emissions. A case study on steel identifies the Americas as well-positioned for low-GHG production due to biomass and natural gas availability. The report also evaluates trade policies, noting that while border carbon adjustments and preferential tariffs are options, they face significant legal, political, and administrative hurdles, particularly regarding WTO compatibility and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

The IAI proposes transitioning to a tripartite governance model to enhance its ability to provide scientific information for public policy and increase public awareness of global change research. Under this structure, the Executive Directorate of Integrated Operations and Finance will be based in Montevideo, Uruguay; the Directorate of Scientific Development in São José dos Campos, Brazil; and the Directorate of Science-Policy Liaison in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The proposal aims to be budget-neutral regarding the IAI's operating budget, with host countries providing infrastructure and partial staffing. The transition was planned for completion by the end of 2012, with a proposed evaluation of the structure's success after one year.

The IAI Executive Council met on June 26, 2012, to address operational budgets, scientific research grants, and governance restructuring. Key outcomes include the recommendation of a tripartite headquarters model distributed across Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina, and the approval of eight research projects under the third round of the Collaborative Research Network (CRN3) program. The Council also reviewed financial reports for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, noting a total of US$1.3 million in pending member contributions.

The document examines the historical evolution of the link between human rights and the environment across UN conferences and argues that the Rio+20 process, specifically its 'Zero Draft' outcome document, fails to adequately operationalize this linkage. It suggests that a rights-based approach is essential to prevent the 'green economy' theme from eclipsing social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The brief recommends that Rio+20 explicitly recognize the right to a healthy environment, integrate this right into the mandates of new environmental organizations or the Ombudsman for Future Generations, and pursue a global or regional treaty to elaborate on the procedural rights of access to information, public participation, and access to justice as outlined in Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration.

The paper examines the challenges of scaling up community-based adaptation (CBA), noting that conventional linear communication often fails to engage citizens or account for cognitive biases like 'motivated avoidance' and 'omission bias'. The authors propose experiential learning—defined as knowledge created through the transformation of experience—as a way to help diverse stakeholders navigate complex climate risk management. The document details five case studies of participatory games used to communicate forecasts, manage risk investments, explain index-based micro-insurance, and understand the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. These games are presented as safe spaces for collaboration and 'aha!' moments that reveal the consequences of decisions. The authors conclude that while these tools are powerful, their success depends on skilled facilitators who can manage power dynamics, gender, and hierarchy within communities.

The report details the outcomes of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) programs, specifically the Cooperative Research Networks (CRN II), Small Grants Program for Human Dimensions (SGP-HD), and an IDRC-funded project on the Río de la Plata basin. Key findings highlight the vulnerability of Andean cloud forests, the impact of land-use changes on hydrology in the Río de la Plata basin, and the increasing frequency of hurricanes in the Caribbean. The document emphasizes the 'value added' by integrating social and economic sciences (Human Dimensions) to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy implementation, citing specific influences on forest protection laws in Brazil and glacier protection legislation in Argentina.

The report details the progress of the Second Collaborative Research Network (CRNII), the Small Grants Program for the Human Dimensions (SGP-HD), and an IDRC-funded project on the La Plata Basin. It highlights the integration of social and economic research into natural sciences to bridge the science-policy divide, resulting in 343 joint scientific publications and significant capacity building for over 1,600 students. Key findings include the impact of land-use change on hydrology in the La Plata Basin, the vulnerability of Andean cloud forests and glaciers, and the influence of ocean currents on fisheries and carbon sequestration in the South Atlantic. The document also notes direct policy contributions, such as informing the National Glacier Protection Law in Argentina and updating urban decontamination plans in Bogotá and Medellín.

The document reports that only 40% of the original tropical dry forests in the Americas remain, with only 4.5% (23,417 km2) under protection. Satellite data from 1982 to 2006 shows divergent productivity trends: increases in the Llanos of Venezuela and Colombia, northern Mexico, and the Chaqueña region of Argentina and Bolivia, but decreases in other parts of Mexico and the Brazilian Caatinga. These shifts are linked to global warming's impact on precipitation and humidity. The text warns that declining productivity reduces carbon storage and water retention, while increased productivity may inadvertently encourage further deforestation and agricultural intensification. It advocates for expanded protection, sustainable land management, and economic incentives like payments for environmental services and REDD+ to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The IAI Directorate Report details a period of significant scientific productivity contrasted with a severe core funding crisis caused by member country non-payments. While the institute successfully advanced research on ecosystem boundaries, urban emissions, and Andean biodiversity, it faced operational disruptions, including temporary salary halts and the cancellation of travel for international climate negotiations. The report emphasizes the transition of the IAI from a funding agency to an active participant in science-policy dialogue and highlights the need for sustainable financial commitments from member states.

The IAI report for 2009-2010 highlights a transition toward active science communication and synthesis, despite severe financial crises caused by member state payment arrears. Scientific achievements include regional climate modeling for South American megacities, analysis of carbon loss in the La Plata Basin, and studies on Andean biodiversity and tropical cyclones. The institute also focused on capacity building through training institutes in Costa Rica, Argentina, and Chile, while managing critical infrastructure needs and diplomatic relations with host country Brazil.