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The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate's mid-term report for the 2021-2022 intersessional period details progress in science, capacity building, and communication. Key achievements include the expansion of the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, the launch of the IAI Transdisciplinary (TD) Academy, and the securing of approximately 1.3 million Euros for a drought information project in the La Plata basin. The Directorate also reports contributions to the IPCC 6th Assessment Report and the development of climate-health tools in the Caribbean.

The report analyzes the transition to virtual meetings for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that while virtual formats increased participation and reduced costs, they hindered informal networking. Survey results indicate a high level of satisfaction with the organization of CoP-29, though there is a noted need for better introductory materials for new participants and more frequent communication between sessions via Zoom and newsletters.

The IAI Executive Direction reports progress on transdisciplinary research, particularly regarding climate-sensitive infectious diseases in the Caribbean and drought monitoring in the La Plata basin. The report highlights the expansion of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program and the launch of the IAI Transdisciplinary Academy to improve the interface between science and public policy in the Americas.

The GCF Secretariat report for the first trimester of 2021 highlights a record funding approval of USD 1.2 billion at a single Board meeting (B.28) and a portfolio implementation rate of 73%. Key priorities include the 'DAE Action Plan' to increase funding for Direct Access Entities, the development of a Private Sector Strategy to catalyze adaptation finance, and the implementation of the 'GCF People Plan' to enhance institutional capacity. The report also details a long-term vision for collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and efforts to secure privileges and immunities through a potential relationship with the United Nations.

The document defines public-private partnerships (PPPs) as collaborative arrangements between public actors and private partners, often including academia or citizen groups, to deliver urban development and infrastructure. It outlines common models such as Design-Build-Operate (DBO) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), while highlighting that PPPs can accelerate climate neutrality by leveraging private capital and innovation. However, the text warns of risks including resource inequality between partners, lack of democratic mandates, and potential cost lock-ins. Success is attributed to early stakeholder engagement, a full life cycle approach, and transparent governance. The document notes that while the Caribbean and Latin America are highly active in PPPs, Swedish examples like the New Karolinska Hospital have been viewed as failures due to high costs and poor partner interaction.

The IAI and PAGES have agreed to collaborate on the "International mobility research Fellowship Program for Latin American and Caribbean early career scientists on past global changes". The program targets PhD students in their final stages or postdoctoral researchers who are citizens of Latin American or Caribbean countries. Eligible candidates must conduct research in a host institution within Latin America or the Caribbean that is not their home country, focusing on topics within the scope of PAGES. The program aims to promote collaborative research, open science, and a better understanding of Earth's past climate to inform future projections and sustainability strategies. IAI is responsible for financial management and reporting, while both entities collaborate on the call for applications and the selection of awardees. The program intended for the first fellows to begin their mobility in early 2022.

The Green Economy Coalition introduces the Triple B Framework to address capital misallocation and sluggish growth in the green transition. The framework identifies 'bottlenecks' (structural, processual, and cognitive barriers) and 'blind spots' (behavioral biases resulting from homogeneity in the finance industry) that hinder investment. It redefines 'blended finance' to include non-financial capital—such as social, political, and cultural capital—arguing that these are often more critical than financial capital in emerging markets. The report suggests that supporting 'ecosystem builders' and sequencing non-financial capital before financial injections can de-risk investments and better serve developing countries.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research is seeking nominations for two vacancies on its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), to be filled during the 29th Conference of the Parties meeting on June 22-23, 2021. The SAC emphasizes the need for internationally recognized scientists with expertise in global change in the Americas, specifically highlighting a need for geographic balance in Central America, the Caribbean, and the tropical Andes, as well as gender and ethnic balance. Preferred areas of expertise include social sciences, traditional and indigenous knowledge, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and planetary health.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research is seeking nominations for two seats on its Science Advisory Committee (SAC) to be filled at the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in June 2021. The SAC emphasizes the need for candidates with international recognition in global change science in the Americas, specifically calling for geographic, gender, and ethnic balance, with a particular focus on underrepresented regions such as Central America, the Caribbean, and the tropical Andes. Desired expertise includes social sciences, indigenous knowledge, climate change adaptation and mitigation, planetary health, and informatics.

The report identifies significant opportunities for green finance in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC), noting that while the market is small with only six deals to date, there is high potential for expansion in renewable energy, low-carbon transport, sustainable water and waste management, sustainable agriculture, and the blue economy. It highlights the role of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and regional stock exchanges in driving this growth, while providing a guide for issuers to align with international standards like the Climate Bonds Taxonomy.

The report analyzes the green finance landscape in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC), noting that while the market is small—with only six green bond issuances as of June 2020—there is significant potential for growth in renewable energy, low-carbon transport, sustainable water, and waste management. It highlights the role of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the leadership of Costa Rica in climate ambition. The document provides a step-by-step guide for green financing and explores emerging opportunities in sustainable agriculture and the blue economy, while discussing the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the 2020 hurricane season.

The document examines the existential threats faced by small island developing states (SIDS), highlighting their extreme vulnerability to sea-level rise and economic shocks despite contributing less than 1% of global carbon emissions. It advocates for a transition from seeing themselves as 'small islands' to 'large ocean states' by leveraging their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) through the 'blue economy.' The brief emphasizes the need for innovative financing, such as blue bonds and debt-for-climate swaps, and the urgent transition to domestic renewable energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.

The report finds that urban adaptation finance is significantly underfunded, representing only 3-5% of total global adaptation flows, with an estimated annual investment of up to USD 3.7 billion against a projected need of USD 11-20 billion for urban infrastructure protection. Analysis of the Global Landscape of Climate Finance, World Bank PPI, and CDP Cities data reveals a heavy concentration of funding in the water and wastewater sectors and a geographic bias toward East Asia and the Pacific, particularly China. Key barriers to scaling finance include limited DFI mandates for sub-national investment, poor municipal creditworthiness, and a lack of standardized outcome metrics for private investors. The report recommends developing practitioner case study databases, improving urban boundary tracking, and expanding DFI mandates to work directly with cities.

The report synthesizes findings from 49 peer-reviewed articles and 72 distinct analyses to determine what factors drive individuals to aspire to migrate. It employs a two-step model distinguishing between the formation of aspirations and their conversion into actual migration. The review identifies 32 determinants across demographic, socio-economic, individual, contextual, and migration-related domains. Key findings indicate that migration aspirations are most strongly and consistently driven by youth, male gender, the presence of migration networks, a history of international travel, and exposure to violence or insecurity. Conversely, aspirations are consistently lowered by increasing age, higher subjective well-being, and strong social attachment to the community of origin. The document also notes a significant research gap in the 'conversion' phase—how aspirations translate into actual movement—due to the logistical challenges of longitudinal panel data collection.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has established a four-year work programme (2020-2023) to scale up climate finance for its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). The strategy focuses on three main areas: public sector investment in water security, renewable energy, and resilient infrastructure; leveraging the private sector through financial sector transformation; and enhancing institutional capacity through GCF Readiness support. The pipeline includes regional programmes for financial transformation, Integrated Utilities Services (IUS) for energy, and water security, alongside single-country projects in The Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada. The CDB emphasizes the need for concessional financing to address high public debt levels exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report advocates for the establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change to address the existential threat of the climate crisis and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Based on consultations with 157 participants from 55 countries, the document outlines the need for a dedicated mechanism within the Human Rights Council to ensure a coordinated approach to climate-related human rights violations. Key priorities identified include holding state and non-state actors accountable, protecting environmental defenders, and ensuring that climate actions—such as carbon trading and nature conservation—do not further violate human rights. The report emphasizes that such a mandate requires strong political support and sufficient resources to be effective, while working in synergy with existing UN mandates and institutions like the UNFCCC.

The document analyzes the labor market crisis in Latin America exacerbated by COVID-19, highlighting the vulnerability of women, youth, and informal workers. It argues that the region's dependence on primary exports and low economic complexity increase its vulnerability to external shocks. To address this, the brief recommends transitioning toward 'green jobs' and a more complex productive matrix. Key proposals include investing in energy-efficient housing, nature-based solutions, female labor inclusion, digitalization to reduce informality, and aligning education with the requirements of a carbon-neutral economy.

The document outlines Saint Lucia's comprehensive climate policy environment, highlighting the role of the Department of Sustainable Development and the National Climate Change Committee in coordinating national efforts. It details the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (2018-2028), the development of Sectoral Adaptation Strategies and Action Plans (SASAPs), and the submission of an Updated Nationally Determined Contribution in January 2021. The paper also examines the integration of gender considerations, the challenges of climate finance, and the emerging focus on loss and damage policy.

The document provides the technical appendix for a study on federal investments in sustainable nutrition science. It describes the use of the NIH Federal RePORTER database to identify projects that simultaneously address food production, human nutrition, and environmental or climate impacts. The analysis identified 53 unique projects meeting these criteria, with reported funding totaling $41.1 million over the 2016–2019 period. It also catalogues federal recommendations from 2010 to 2021 urging a shift toward interdisciplinary, systems-based research to integrate sustainability into nutrition policy and food systems.

The document outlines key messages and strategies for enhancing resilience in Latin America, emphasizing the need for a regenerative economy, nature-based solutions, and the integration of urban and rural efforts. It identifies challenges such as the need for greater private sector engagement, the operationalization of the 'resilience' concept, and the impact of climate change on food insecurity. Proposed solutions include regenerative agriculture, impact-oriented investment funds, and the combination of traditional knowledge with modern science to support vulnerable populations.