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This report by Friends of the Earth International examines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of GM crops, specifically focusing on the dominance of a few corporations like Monsanto. It argues that GM technology does not solve hunger, as most crops are used for animal feed or biofuels in wealthy nations. The document highlights a trend of increasing pesticide use and the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds in the US, Argentina, and Brazil. It further claims that GM crops often result in lower yields than conventional varieties and suggests that agroecological and organic farming are more effective alternatives for food security.

The report contends that GM crops fail to alleviate hunger or poverty, instead increasing pesticide use and corporate control over seeds. It highlights that most GM crops are used for animal feed and biofuels in rich nations, while farmers in producer countries face rising costs and herbicide-resistant weeds. The document advocates for agro-ecological and organic farming as sustainable alternatives.

The document assesses the institutional and financial failures of technology transfer from industrialized to developing countries under the UNFCCC. It contrasts the G77 + China proposal for a centralized Executive Body and Multilateral Climate Technology Fund with the European Union's preference for bilateral Technology Oriented Agreements and carbon market financing. To resolve these divergences, the author suggests a three-themed evaluation framework based on legal principles, actions across the technology chain (R&D, demonstration, deployment, and diffusion), and institutional mandates. Additionally, the document details the Climate Action Network's (CAN) call for a dedicated Technology Cooperation Mechanism and a Technology Fund to ensure measurable, reportable, and verifiable (MRV) delivery of climate-friendly technologies, specifically addressing intellectual property barriers through a proposed International Declaration on Climate Technologies and IPRs.

The SCCR-18 session focused on three primary issues: the proposed Broadcast Treaty, Exceptions and Limitations to Copyright, and Audiovisual (AV) Performance Protection. Negotiations on a Broadcast Treaty remain stalled due to disagreements over the scope of new intellectual property rights, while a treaty for the visually impaired (WBU Treaty) was officially proposed by Brazil, Ecuador, and Paraguay despite opposition from some industrialized nations and the publishing industry. Discussions on AV performance protection continue as the US and EU seek to harmonize rights despite differences over moral rights and the transfer of rights.

The report argues that REDD, as currently designed, focuses on reducing rather than stopping deforestation and risks becoming a tool for corporate profit rather than climate mitigation. It highlights significant risks to indigenous land rights, the potential for 'leakage' where deforestation simply moves to other areas, and the danger of replacing natural forests with monoculture plantations. The author criticizes the use of carbon markets to fund REDD, suggesting instead public funding derived from fossil fuel taxes and the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies.

The report critiques REDD, asserting that it is designed to reduce rather than stop deforestation and may incentivize the replacement of natural forests with carbon-poor plantations. It warns that financing REDD through carbon markets could allow industrialized nations to avoid reducing fossil fuel emissions, undermine national sovereignty in developing countries, and lead to the displacement of indigenous communities. The author argues that REDD's 'opportunity cost' calculations often benefit polluters and that the mechanism is susceptible to market volatility and corporate lobbying. The document advocates for a non-market, grant-based funding system managed by the UN, focused on ecosystem justice, the recognition of indigenous land rights, and the elimination of the underlying drivers of deforestation.

The report details the IAI's core budget status as of September 30, 2008, noting that collected funds represent 58% of approved contributions. While year-to-date expenses were 16.0% lower than the 3-month budget, the institute faced low collection rates from member countries. Administratively, the IAI completed audits for the CRN II program and implemented staffing and cash management changes in Brazil to reduce costs and improve security.

This document is a participant list for the 26th Executive Council (EC) Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), which took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 17-18, 2008.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International contends that GM crops, primarily soya, maize, and cotton, fail to increase yields or reduce poverty in developing regions. It asserts that the GM model benefits large-scale industrial farmers through 'convenience' while harming small-scale farmers via high seed costs, land displacement, and increased pesticide use. The document specifically highlights negative outcomes in South America, Africa, India, and China, and disputes claims that GM technology makes food cheaper or is necessary for the livestock industry.

The report argues that genetically modified (GM) crops provide no substantive environmental, social, or economic benefits. It highlights a significant increase in pesticide use, particularly glyphosate, due to the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds in the US, Brazil, and Argentina. The document further contends that GM crops do not increase yields—citing evidence that Roundup Ready soy may actually suffer yield losses—and that they do not address global hunger, as most are used for animal feed or biofuels in wealthy nations. Additionally, it criticizes the concentration of seed control by a few multinational corporations, which increases costs and restricts farmers' ability to save seeds.

The report argues that GM crops provide no ecological, social, or economic benefits. It highlights that herbicide-tolerant (HT) varieties promote the development of resistant weeds, leading to increased pesticide application in the US, Brazil, and Argentina. The document further asserts that GM crops do not increase yields or food security, as most are used for animal feed or biofuels rather than human consumption, and that seed monopolies increase costs for farmers.

The report argues that GM crops, particularly herbicide-tolerant varieties, have not increased yields and have instead led to an increase in pesticide use due to the emergence of resistant 'superweeds'. It highlights the monopolization of the seed market by a few agrochemical giants, specifically Monsanto, and documents negative socio-economic impacts on small farmers in India, South Africa, and South America, including increased debt and land displacement.

The report argues that GM crops, primarily herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant varieties of soya, maize, cotton, and canola, have not increased yields and have instead driven a rise in pesticide use due to the emergence of resistant weeds. It highlights the monopolization of the seed supply by a few corporations, specifically Monsanto, and documents the negative socio-economic impacts on small farmers in the US, India, and South America, including increased debt and rural poverty.

The report argues that GM crops, particularly herbicide-tolerant (HT) and Bt varieties, have failed to deliver promised benefits in yield and poverty reduction. It documents a significant increase in pesticide use and the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds in the US, Argentina, and Brazil. The document further highlights the monopolization of the seed market by a few firms, specifically Monsanto, and the resulting economic pressure and legal harassment of farmers. Case studies in India, China, and South Africa suggest that yield increases are often due to weather or irrigation rather than GM technology, while small farmers face increased debt and vulnerability.

The document argues that commodity price volatility, which can vary by up to 50% in a single year, hinders long-term financial planning and environmental management, thereby trapping producers in a cycle of poverty and dependency. It emphasizes that the core issue is income volatility rather than price volatility itself. The report evaluates five strategic options: supply management (controlling output to influence price), national revenue management (using stabilization funds like National Revenue Funds), market-based risk management (using futures and options), compensatory financing (emergency grants or loans), and alternative trade initiatives (certification and fair trade). It concludes that no single 'silver bullet' exists and recommends a complementary approach involving the private sector and flexible, simple policies to achieve sustainable income stability.

The request argues that 2D seismic exploration by Petroleum del Perú S.A.C. in Lot 107 poses an imminent threat of irreparable harm to the life, health, and integrity of isolated Cacataibo groups. The document highlights that the exploration area overlaps significantly with proposed Cacataibo territorial reserves and that the use of explosives and the influx of workers increase the risk of forced contact, which historically leads to mass death from disease and violence. It further claims that the Peruvian state approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) without proper consultation with settled Cacataibo communities and that the EIA's safety measures are insufficient to prevent forced contact or environmental contamination.

The document lists the attendees of the 14th IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP) Meeting and the Science Symposium, both held in Manaus, Brazil, on June 14-15, 2007. Participants included representatives from national governments, research institutions, and international bodies from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, the United States, and Venezuela, as well as IAI directorate staff and external review committee members.

The IAI Executive Directorate report for 2006-2007 details the institute's efforts to integrate climate science with policy, specifically focusing on land-use change in the Plata Basin and urbanisation in Latin America. It highlights the transition from the CRN I to CRN II research networks, the success of the Training Institute Seed Grants (TISG) in fostering multidisciplinary networks across 19 countries, and new strategic partnerships with organizations like IDRC, SCOPE, and the MacArthur Foundation to address biodiversity in the Andes.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) requests a core budget of US$ 1,014,931 for fiscal year 2007/2008, a level consistent with the previous two years. The budget supports the Directorate's operations, including the management of the CRN II Program, the implementation of the Small Grants Program for the Human Dimensions (SGP-HD), and the development of a new IAI Strategic Plan. A significant portion of the budget is allocated to salaries and benefits, with proposed adjustments to compensate for the loss of purchasing power of the US dollar against the Brazilian Real. The budget is funded by contributions from member countries, with the United States providing the largest share at US$ 595,000.

The IAI's central budget request for 2007/2008 is US$1,014,931, maintaining a stable funding level compared to previous years. The budget supports the administration of the CRN II program, the implementation of the Small Grants Program for Human Dimensions (SGP-HD) with a US$800,000 budget, and the development of a new Strategic Plan to link science with policy. Key financial adjustments include proposed salary increases for international staff to offset the loss of purchasing power caused by inflation and exchange rate fluctuations in Brazil. Member contributions are led by the United States (US$595,000) and Canada (US$125,000).