Search Climate Insights Directory

The document provides a comprehensive set of 17 case studies illustrating how science diplomacy—the intersection of foreign policy and scientific research—is used to manage transboundary resources, protect biodiversity, and regulate emerging technologies in the Americas. It defines science diplomacy through three lenses: science in diplomacy (technical input for policy), diplomacy for science (promoting national scientific communities), and science for diplomacy (using scientific cooperation to improve diplomatic ties). Key examples include the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR), the Amazonian Regional Platform of Indigenous Peoples (ARPIP), and the Guarani Aquifer Agreement. The text emphasizes the necessity of integrating indigenous knowledge, managing multi-stakeholder governance, and aligning national policies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address climate change and environmental degradation.

The document serves as a training resource for the Science Diplomacy Center of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). It defines science diplomacy through the AAAS typology (science in, for, and toward diplomacy) and explores its intersection with innovation diplomacy, particularly in the Global South. The core of the document consists of detailed case studies covering diverse topics: marine conservation (CMAR), indigenous knowledge in the Amazon (ARPIP), public health and climate in the Andes (PASCC), peace parks in the Cordillera del Cóndor, groundwater management of the Guaraní Aquifer, space cooperation (ALCE and SIRIS), hydroelectric impacts in the Madeira River basin, AI regulation, plastic pollution strategies, transdisciplinary research (Belmont Forum), industrial conflicts in Fray Bentos, coal power in Jamaica, EU-Mercosur trade agreements, lithium supply chain justice, pesticide regulation comparisons, and corporate sustainability governance in Juruti. Each case analyzes the role of scientific evidence in policy-making, the challenges of multilateral cooperation, and the importance of inclusive governance.

The document outlines the increasing likelihood of exceeding the 1.5°C warming threshold and the resulting interest in 'emergency' options like solar radiation modification (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). It highlights a critical lack of formal international and national governance for SRM, noting a specific instance in Mexico where a private US company conducted unauthorized aerosol experiments. The text details efforts by IAI, CEPAL, and C2G to raise awareness and build regional governance frameworks in Latin America and the Caribbean to manage these climate interventions.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), in partnership with The Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG) and The Degrees Initiative, is launching a workshop series for policymakers in the Americas. The program focuses on solar radiation modification (SRM), specifically stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening, to address the knowledge gap between the Global North and South. The workshops aim to equip regional actors with the tools to develop national positions and engage in international forums like the UNEA and UNFCCC CoP, emphasizing climate justice, ethical governance, and the potential regional impacts of climate interventions.

The document details the interim governance and financial arrangements for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) during its transition period. It specifies the roles of the Conference of the Parties (CoP), the Executive Council (EC), and the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), while outlining the temporary responsibilities of the Director pro tempore. Key focus areas include the selection process for the permanent Director, the establishment of financial policies by Deloitte and Touche, and the management of core and program funds through the US National Science Foundation until a formal IAI account is created. The plan aims for the IAI to be fully operational by autumn 1995, including the signing of a Host Country Agreement with Brazil.

The IAI's STeP Fellowship Program aims to strengthen the science-policy-diplomacy interface in Latin America and the Caribbean by training early-career scientists in communication, leadership, and science diplomacy. Between July 2020 and June 2021, the program conducted 20 virtual training sessions and established cohorts in Mexico and Argentina focusing on sustainable cities and agriculture. The program collaborates with international partners such as AAAS and Mitacs Canada, with fellows working on regional priorities including clean energy, circular economy, and climate-fragile polar regions. Expansion efforts are targeting new cohorts in biodiversity, climate change, and natural disaster risk mitigation, alongside specific institutional negotiations in Chile and Peru.

The STeP Fellowship Program, implemented by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), is a two-year professional development initiative for scientists and policymakers in the Americas. The program focuses on three training pillars: science diplomacy, communication, and leadership, aiming to improve the science-policy dialogue and the uptake of scientific knowledge in policy processes. Fellows are placed in government agencies or private organizations within IAI member countries to work on national and regional agendas related to global environmental change.

The analysis highlights a dual challenge for Latin America: direct trade disruptions from US tariffs and indirect vulnerability to China's economic health. While Mexico and Central American countries face the highest effective tariff rates due to exports of steel, aluminum, and auto parts, South American nations are more exposed to a potential decline in Chinese demand for raw materials. The authors argue that China's ability to implement counter-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate US tariff impacts will be critical for regional stability.

The paper analyzes the shift toward concrete implementation of climate-related trade measures, such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms and deforestation regulations. It details recent activities within the WTO's Committee on Trade and Environment and the outcomes of COP30, emphasizing the need for international cooperation on transparency, interoperability, and development support to avoid market fragmentation.

The analysis examines how US universal and sectoral tariffs affect Latin American countries, noting that while Mexico and Central American nations face higher effective tariff rates, South American nations are more vulnerable to indirect shocks from China. It highlights that China's ability to implement counter-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate US tariff impacts will determine the stability of commodity prices and growth in South America.

The document analyzes the shift toward concrete Climate-related Trade Measures (CTMs), such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms and deforestation regulations, and how these are being addressed within the WTO and UNFCCC. It highlights key concerns regarding transparency, interoperability, and the impact on developing nations, while positioning the WTO's MC14 as a critical moment for consolidating these discussions.

The paper contends that traditional industrial policy is outdated because it focuses almost exclusively on manufacturing, despite services accounting for approximately two-thirds of global GDP. It proposes a 'service-led' industrial policy based on five pillars: infrastructure, investment/FDI, human capital, regulatory quality, and connectivity. The author highlights that services offer developing economies a more inclusive and sustainable path to growth due to lower capital intensity and smaller minimum scales for global competitiveness. Furthermore, the document notes that the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) provides governments with more policy space for experimentation compared to the stricter rules governing goods.

The author argues that traditional industrial policy is overly focused on manufacturing and must be redesigned for a services-led economy. Services now represent two-thirds of global GDP and act as critical inputs for all sectors. The paper proposes five pillars for a services-oriented policy: infrastructure, foreign direct investment, human capital, regulatory quality, and digital/physical connectivity. It highlights that developing economies can leverage services due to lower capital intensity, smaller scale requirements, and lower carbon footprints. Furthermore, the author notes that the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) provides governments with more policy space for experimentation than the rules governing goods.

The transportation sector accounts for approximately 25% of global CO2 emissions and is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Chile. A joint project by IISD, CC&D, and CCAP is investigating the application of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to Chilean transport, focusing on technology and demand-side solutions. The project utilizes three case studies: bicycle infrastructure, bus technology switching (e.g., diesel to hybrid electric) in Santiago, and location efficiency through transit-oriented development. The initiative aims to address CDM challenges such as project baselines, additionality, and the potential for sector-wide initiatives to attract funding and technology transfer.

The document examines Indonesia's energy subsidy regime, covering gasoline, diesel, kerosene, LPG, electricity, and coal. It argues that these subsidies are regressive, primarily benefiting wealthier households while straining the national budget and discouraging investment in clean energy. The guide details the economic and environmental risks of maintaining these subsidies and outlines strategies for reform, such as targeted cash transfers and gradual phase-outs, drawing on Indonesian and international experiences.

The Trade Knowledge Network (TKN), launched in 1997 and coordinated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), works to build long-term capacity to incorporate sustainable development into national, bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade policies. Its primary objectives include producing country- and region-specific research, engaging trade policy-makers, building the capacity of partner organizations through training and cooperative research, and facilitating the global exchange of best practices. The network comprises partners across various developing and developed nations, including organizations in Argentina, Chile, China, India, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Canada, Vietnam, Mexico, El Salvador, the USA, Pakistan, and South Africa, with funding support from entities such as the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The document argues that the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) requires a dedicated hemispheric framework to ensure trade liberalization supports sustainable development. It reviews sub-regional models—including Mercosur, CARICOM, the Andean Community, the Central American Alliance for Sustainable Development, and NAFTA—to identify best practices in environmental management and civil society participation. The authors propose a new Americas Environmental Accord (AEA) based on the 2001 Mercosur Framework Agreement on the Environment, suggesting it include shared objectives for environmental protection, dispute settlement mechanisms, and protocols for natural resource management. Additionally, the paper recommends conducting ex-ante sustainability impact assessments (SIA) for the FTAA and establishing a Public Advisory Committee to foster inclusive dialogue between governments and civil society.

The briefing outlines key environmental priorities for the WTO's MC12, focusing on fisheries subsidies, climate policy alignment with the Paris Agreement, and several member-led initiatives. It highlights the 'Structured Discussions on Trade and Environmental Sustainability' (TESSD), a ministerial declaration on plastic pollution, and a proposal for fossil fuel subsidy reform. The author emphasizes that success depends on integrating the needs of developing countries through enhanced 'Aid for Trade' and inclusive dialogue to avoid a two-speed global green economy.

The IISD-Europe program on sustainable procurement provides policy advisory and research services to scale up green industrial growth through "whole life value" procurement. The institute advises governments on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and leads the International Initiative on Procurement and Green Growth. IISD argues that because public procurement accounts for 12–15 per cent of GDP in the EU and US, governments can use their purchasing power to trigger markets for sustainable goods and services and incentivize private sector investment in green technology.

The document examines how valuable minerals can finance violence, trigger local conflicts, and weaken state governance through corruption. It provides lessons learned for development interventions, such as empowering local communities, supporting artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), and promoting corporate responsibility. The toolkit includes a survey instrument for risk assessment and lists USAID contracting mechanisms and international partners to address mineral-related conflict.