Search Climate Insights Directory

The report identifies a significant decline in financial contributions and institutional participation among IAI member countries since 1997. While 19 American countries have joined, only a few maintain consistent funding, with the USA providing the vast majority of programmatic support. The Working Group analyzed data on voluntary contributions, institutional meeting attendance, and scientific program participation to diagnose the lack of interest, concluding that further analysis is required to develop effective recovery strategies.

The Basel Action Network and a coalition of environmental NGOs oppose the U.S. State Department's plan to selectively ratify the 1989 Basel Convention while refusing the 1995 Ban Amendment. The authors argue that the original convention is inadequate and that the Ban Amendment is essential to end 'toxic colonialism' by prohibiting hazardous waste exports from OECD countries to non-OECD nations. They contend that the ban provides a necessary incentive for industry to reduce waste production and toxicity, and they urge the U.S. to either ratify the entire framework or not accede to the treaty at all.

The Eighth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) reaffirmed the institute's role as a regional leader in coordinating scientific research on global change in the Americas. The meeting resulted in eight resolutions covering the institute's strategic direction, the approval of a selection process for the Executive Director, the establishment of an external evaluation committee, and the approval of financial statements, budgets, and scientific grant guidelines for the 2001/2002 period.

This document is a participant list for the XIII IAI Executive Council Meeting, which took place in Panama City, Panama, on July 17-18, 2001.

The Fund Raising Working Group (FRWG) met on May 18, 2001, to address funding challenges and identify new donor opportunities for the IAI. Key concerns include the rise of debt in voluntary contributions from member countries, leading to proposals for penalties such as restricting voting rights or program participation. The group explored partnerships with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) via UNEP, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), and the Organization of American States (OAS). While the European Commission was ruled out as a cooperation partner, the group aims to engage Spanish and Portuguese authorities and maintain links with the International Group of Funding Agencies for Global Change Research (IGFA) to reach European and Japanese agencies. The report also notes a need to improve the IAI Directorate's capacity for writing strong proposals by involving researchers (PIs and CoPIs) more effectively.

The IAI invested approximately US$20 million between 1995 and 2000 to establish multinational research networks in the Americas. This was achieved through four primary programs: Start-up Grants (SG), the Initial Science Program (ISP), the Collaborative Research Network (CRN), and the Program to Expand Scientific Capacity in the Americas (PESCA). The IAI's Science Agenda focused on four themes, with the largest funding allocation going to 'Changes in the Composition of the Atmosphere, Oceans and Fresh Waters'. The institute reports 145 publications resulting from ISP and CRN funding and emphasizes student training as a key mechanism for regional scientific development. However, the IAI notes a funding gap of over US$6 million for high-quality research proposals that remain unfunded.

The document outlines the conditions under which the IAI may suspend or terminate research grants, such as material failure to comply with terms, mutual agreement, or scientific misconduct. It defines 'suspension' as a temporary withholding of support and 'termination' as the cancellation of a grant. The policy includes a structured process for notification, corrective action, and a formal informal resolution process for disputes handled by the Executive Council Chair. Additionally, it details the definitions and investigative procedures for 'misconduct in science,' emphasizing the primary responsibility of grantees to detect and report such issues.

The document lists the administrative outcomes of the first day of the IAI CoP-VIII on July 19, 2001. Key actions included the election of the Bureau and the Executive Director Selection Committee, the approval of the meeting agenda and the previous meeting's report, and the decision to move the next CoP meeting to February/March 2002 to ensure the election of a new Director before the current contract expires in March 2002.

The document lists the administrative decisions of the IAI Executive Council on July 17, 2001, including the approval of the meeting agenda, corrections to the previous meeting's report, the composition of the Nomination Committee for the SAC, and recommendations for budget reporting and institutional restructuring.

The IAI Science Grant Program – Phase II (SGP-II) is a competitive funding initiative designed to support the development of multinational research networks addressing global change issues in the Americas. The program offers one-time awards of up to US$ 30,000 for projects lasting up to one year, with a specific priority on 'Integrated Assessment, Human Dimensions and Applications' (Theme IV) and the participation of young scientists. Eligible proposals must involve institutions from at least three IAI ratifying countries and align with the IAI Science Agenda's four primary themes: climate variability, ecosystem/biodiversity studies, atmospheric/oceanic composition, and integrated assessments.

The report details the IAI's efforts to maintain member country engagement, manage scientific research programs, and expand educational capacity in the Americas between July 2000 and June 2001.

The report evaluates the initial year of the CRN program, highlighting a strong scientific output and significant capacity building through graduate courses and workshops across the Americas. While many projects successfully leveraged millions in additional funding, the IAI identified critical administrative gaps, specifically the lack of a standard reporting format and difficulties in international fund transfers.

The document details the 1995 selection process for the IAI Director, managed by a Selection Committee appointed by the Executive Council (EC). The process involved a multi-stage filtering system: an initial review of nominations based on a standard form and specific ranking criteria, telephone interviews to create a long-list, and formal presentations by a short-listed group of candidates. The Selection Committee then recommended the most qualified candidates to the Conference of the Parties (CoP), which conducted the final election via secret ballot.

The IAI provides scholarships, fellowships, and workshops to build scientific capacity in the Americas, with a priority on Latin American researchers. Key initiatives include the IAI/UM Summer Institute on Interdisciplinary Science, a regional course on climate variability in Mesoamerica, and a partnership with Indiana University's ACT. The IAI is transitioning its Summer Institute model to a new call for proposals following a change in NSF funding and is exploring partnerships with the IACD, Inter-American Development Bank, and Brazil's CNPq.

The report details the institutional and programmatic status of the IAI between July 2000 and June 2001. It covers membership ratification, the progress of the Initial Science Program (ISP), the Collaborative Research Network (CRN), and the Program to Expand Scientific Capacity in the Americas (PESCA). The report highlights the success of the IAI/UM Summer Institute in fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and outlines new initiatives, including the IAI Science Grant Phase II and co-funded training activities.

The document outlines the conditions under which the IAI may suspend or terminate a grant, including material failure to comply with terms, mutual agreement, or scientific misconduct. It details the notification process, the right of beneficiaries to request informal dispute resolution through the Executive Council, and the specific protocols for investigating and penalizing scientific malpractice.

The document is a participants list for the XII IAI Executive Council Meeting, which took place in San José, Costa Rica, from December 4 to 5, 2000.

The document is a participant list for the VI IAI Conference of the Parties Meeting held in July 2000 in Mexico. It identifies representatives from various national governments, international organizations, and the IAI staff.

The Quito Declaration, signed in May 2000, asserts the critical role of Indigenous Peoples in conserving forests and biodiversity while highlighting their exclusion from the negotiation of the 1992 UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. The document requests that the UNFCCC Secretariat guarantee adequate participation and direct accreditation for Indigenous organizations in COP 6 and related meetings. It specifically calls for an agenda item at COP 6 to examine the impacts of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) on Indigenous lives and territories, emphasizing the need for 'prior and informed free consent' and respect for territorial rights.

The report details the IAI's institutional progress, including new agreements with Argentina and Venezuela, the hiring of a CRN Manager, and the status of the Initial Science Program (ISP). It highlights capacity-building through the IAI/UM Summer Institute and various international workshops on climate variability and agriculture. Finally, it presents a financial breakdown of voluntary contributions from member countries, noting significant outstanding balances from several nations.