Search Climate Insights Directory

This report details several research initiatives supported by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) across the Americas. These projects focus on the intersection of environmental science and public policy, addressing nitrogen cycling, tropical dry forest conservation, climate services for agriculture, freshwater ecosystem risks, malaria transmission in the Amazon, water security in arid regions, oceanic carbon sequestration, the impact of highways on zoonotic diseases, and urban hydrological vulnerability.

This document is a collection of project briefs from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) detailing various scientific research initiatives across the Americas. The projects focus on environmental sustainability, climate change adaptation, and the intersection of ecological health and human well-being, covering topics such as the nitrogen cycle, tropical dry forests, climate services, malaria transmission in the Amazon, freshwater ecosystem risks, water security in arid zones, ocean dynamics, the impact of road construction in rainforests, phytoplankton services, and urban hydrological risks.

This report, published by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), examines the multifaceted impacts of climate change across Latin America and the Caribbean. It highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of rural women, indigenous populations, and coastal communities, while discussing the intersection of environmental degradation with public health, education, and migration. The document advocates for a transdisciplinary approach to science that integrates local and ancestral knowledge to inform public policy and foster regional resilience.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Conference of the Parties (CoP) adopted eight resolutions during its eighteenth meeting on 15 and 16 June 2011 in Asuncion, Paraguay, covering budgetary approvals, personnel elections, and strategic planning.

This project brief describes a transdisciplinary research initiative supported by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) aimed at integrating local and traditional knowledge systems into biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management across Latin America and Canada.

This fact sheet examines the relationship between Pacific sea surface temperatures and water resources in the Andes of central Chile and central-western Argentina, highlighting the roles of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO).

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Start-Up Plan 1995 outlines the transition from interim governance to a fully operational Directorate. It details the transfer of functions from the Conference of the Parties (CoP) and Executive Council (EC) to an elected Director, the establishment of financial policies and core funding mechanisms, and the interim responsibilities of the Director pro tempore.

The Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, implemented by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), is a two-year professional development initiative designed to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and public policy regarding global environmental change across the Americas.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has issued Terms of Reference for a consultancy to develop training materials on science diplomacy related to global environmental change (GEC) in the Americas. This initiative supports the creation of a regional Center for Science Diplomacy (CSD) and the IAI's Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program.

This research paper analyzes the impact of US tariffs on Latin American economies and the subsequent indirect risks posed by China's potential policy responses. The authors argue that while direct US tariffs hit Mexico and Central America hardest, South American countries are more vulnerable to a slowdown in Chinese demand for raw materials.

This research paper analyzes the transition of international trade and climate discussions from abstract principles to practical implementation. It examines the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in managing climate-related trade measures, such as carbon border adjustments and deforestation regulations, ahead of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

This research paper analyzes the impact of US tariffs on Latin American economies and the subsequent indirect risks posed by China's economic response. The authors argue that while direct US tariffs heavily affect Mexico and Central America, the greater risk for South American nations lies in a potential decline in Chinese demand for raw materials resulting from US-China trade tensions.

This report traces 50 years of UN sustainable development and climate policy, detailing the transition from the 1992 UNFCCC and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the 2015 Paris Agreement. It examines the shift from rigid distinctions between industrialized and developing nations toward a more dynamic model of 'common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities' (CBDR-RC). While the Paris Agreement achieved universal participation through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the document notes that current collective promises remain insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C, potentially leading to a temperature rise exceeding 3°C if not significantly increased.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the shift in international trade and climate discussions from abstract principles to practical application. It focuses on the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in managing Climate-related Trade Measures (CTMs), specifically carbon border adjustment mechanisms and deforestation regulations, ahead of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

This research paper by Pierre Sauvé argues for the modernization of industrial policy to center on the services economy. The author contends that while current industrial policies remain rooted in 20th-century manufacturing paradigms, services now drive global innovation, productivity, and competitiveness, acting as essential inputs for all economic sectors.

This research paper by Pierre Sauvé argues for a paradigm shift in industrial policy, moving from a traditional focus on manufacturing to one that prioritizes the services economy. The author contends that services are no longer merely residual activities but are essential inputs that drive productivity, innovation, and competitiveness across all economic sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing.

This report analyzes the clean energy market for electricity generation in Chile, examining the current state of the electricity grid, investment trends, and the regulatory framework. It identifies significant potential for non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE) but highlights substantial economic, regulatory, and financial barriers that hinder large-scale adoption.

This fact sheet describes a joint project by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Climate Change and Development Consultants (CC&D), and the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) to analyze how the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, with a specific focus on Chile.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment within the large-scale mining sector. It analyzes immediate impacts on direct and indirect labor, the role of national lockdown policies, and the long-term structural shifts toward automation and localized supply chains, while providing recommendations for building future resilience.

This briefing note, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International, Geneva, examines the challenges faced by developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce. It highlights a significant digital divide and capacity gaps that hinder these nations' ability to participate in negotiations and implement future agreements. The document proposes shifting from a narrow focus on regulatory cooperation toward a comprehensive approach that includes 'enabling issues' such as infrastructure and technical assistance, and suggests adopting a hybrid Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) model based on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to ensure capacity-building commitments are enforceable.