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The report details a two-day workshop in June 2018 focused on aligning African development priorities with the BAPA+40 process. Key discussions centered on the need for a common definition and measurement framework for South-South Cooperation (SSC), the integration of Agenda 2063 and the SDGs, and the role of civil society. The workshop highlighted challenges in infrastructure financing, economic structural transformation, and the intersection of peace and development. Participants emphasized moving beyond superficial themes to create an action-oriented outcome for BAPA+40, proposing several thematic papers for the UN Office for South-South Cooperation.

The document examines the 'jurisdictional approach' (JA)—a comprehensive, government-led strategy for forest and land-use governance across defined political territories. It argues that subnational jurisdictions (states, provinces, districts) are critical for scaling emissions reductions because they are closer to land users and possess the authority to shape land-use decisions. Through case studies in Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, and Mexico, the paper highlights that while JA fosters multi-stakeholder collaboration and policy innovation, it is frequently hampered by political turnover, limited public sector capacity, and a lack of tangible financial incentives. The authors conclude that JA is not a 'silver bullet' but a necessary recognition of the role of multi-level government in protecting forests and enhancing livelihoods.

This briefing from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate reports on the implementation of Decision XXV/28, which aims to enhance the capacity of IAI research projects to communicate scientific results to stakeholders and policy makers.

The IAI Directorate Science reports on the final phase of the third Collaborative Research Network (CRN3), the launch of the Small Grant Program on ecosystem services and human wellbeing (SGP-HW), and the planning for the fourth Collaborative Research Network (CRN4). Key initiatives include a co-design process for climate adaptation in the megacities of Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Santiago de Chile, and a collaborative research framework with Argentina's CONICET. The Directorate is shifting toward a co-funding model to diversify science funding and is emphasizing transdisciplinary research aligned with international frameworks like the SDGs.

In a speech to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, IISD President and CEO Scott Vaughan discusses the intersection of trade, sustainability, innovation, and climate change. He warns that protectionism and the potential end of NAFTA would increase costs and emissions, while highlighting the growth of the global green goods and services market. Vaughan emphasizes the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 'Winnipeg PEG' model for community-based sustainability reporting, which IISD aims to replicate globally. He also notes the rise of climate-related financial risk disclosure and the necessity of integrating environmental and economic goals to ensure long-term competitiveness.

The briefing argues that methane mitigation in the oil and gas sector is technologically feasible and often cost-effective, but requires regulatory mandates rather than just voluntary actions to ensure uniform adoption. It highlights that a 50% reduction in emissions could be achieved at no net cost, providing a significant climate impact. Key barriers identified include limited capital for state-owned companies and insufficient monitoring staff in some countries, suggesting a need for innovative financing and third-party verification technologies.

This briefing report from the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research outlines the committee's activities, membership updates, and planned meetings leading up to the 26th Conference of the Parties (CoP-26) in June 2018.

The report outlines the current composition of the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), noting the resignation of two members and the upcoming term conclusions for two others. It details intersessional activities, including four teleconferences and advisory roles regarding the Small Grants Call on Ecosystem Services and Adaptation for Human Well-Being (SGP-HW) and the CRN3 researchers meeting. The committee is scheduled to meet in June 2018 to evaluate SGP-HW pre-proposals and discuss research on global change, specifically regarding CRN4 and activities in the Central America and Caribbean region.

This briefing document, prepared by the IAI Directorate for the 26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP), reports on a meeting held in São Paulo, Brazil, on 7 November 2017. The meeting focused on establishing a flexible collaborative funding mechanism to support scientific projects on global change in the Americas, aiming to reduce the IAI's dependency on a single donor and ensure long-term sustainability.

This briefing document outlines the process for nominating a member to the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, following the conclusion of Dr. Javier Gracia Garza's first term in June 2018.

This briefing document, prepared by the Chair of the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) for the 26th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), outlines the process for nominating a candidate to fill a vacancy on the SPAC in June 2018.

The document argues that Canada's current trade model privileges corporate profits over people and the environment, specifically citing NAFTA's role in exacerbating economic inequality and environmental degradation. The signatories propose a 12-point alternative model for trade negotiations, emphasizing the elimination of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms, the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, and the abolition of energy proportionality rules that hinder Canada's ability to reduce fossil fuel production. They assert that for Canada to be a 'climate champion', its trade agreements must be compatible with the Paris Agreement and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

The report analyzes the health and economic costs of coal in Indonesia, highlighting that coal-related air pollution causes thousands of premature deaths and significant financial burdens on low-income households. It argues that the Indonesian government's continued subsidies for coal production and power plants contradict public health goals and that transitioning to cheaper renewable energy would reduce these burdens.

The report finds that while the number of state-based armed conflicts and total casualties declined in 2017, non-state conflicts increased significantly. Syria remained the deadliest conflict, and the Islamic State (IS) was involved in 31% of all conflicts. The authors note a long-term general decline in warfare since the 1950s, though they warn that internationalized intrastate conflicts and religious extremism continue to pose major threats to global peace.

The report identifies newly adopted policies in 25 major emitting countries and regions—representing 79% of 2012 global GHG emissions—that support long-term decarbonisation goals. These policies include carbon taxes, coal phase-outs, and support for renewable energy and electric vehicles, focusing on legislative decisions and executive orders with direct effects on reducing emissions.

This briefing from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) proposes merging a planned 25th-anniversary publication with a peer-reviewed special issue focusing on the results of the Cooperative Research Network 3 (CRN3) and other institutional activities.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details capacity-building activities conducted between the 25th and 26th Conferences of the Parties (2017-2018). It highlights the implementation of inter- and transdisciplinary training, science-policy integration, and the use of seed grants to foster regional scientific cooperation and communication.

The IAI Directorate implemented several capacity-building initiatives between 2017 and 2018, focusing on transdisciplinary research, science diplomacy, and science communication. Key activities included the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Climate Change, which trained 119 graduate students from 30 countries, and the Professional Development Seminar (PDS) on Transdisciplinary Approaches to Integrating Policy and Science for Sustainability held in the Dominican Republic and Canada. The Directorate also engaged in science-policy collaboration through events in Mexico and the USA. To expand these efforts, the IAI proposes the creation of a Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program and a Research Internship Program, alongside a new Seed Grant Program for 2019-2020.

The study evaluates remote sensing approaches using MODIS data to map open water surfaces, concluding that the MNDWI6 spectral index effectively maps large water bodies and that a new method for optimizing detection thresholds improves accuracy.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details activities and strategic partnerships undertaken between sessions to increase the institute's visibility and influence within international climate and biodiversity frameworks. It outlines collaborations with the IPCC, UN agencies, and various NGOs to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy implementation, particularly for Latin America.