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The report examines how the expansion of commodities, forestry, and biofuels—particularly sugarcane—affects soil carbon stocks in the La Plata Basin. It highlights that converting native vegetation to agriculture generally reduces carbon stocks, though no-tillage systems can mitigate these losses. Case studies in the Brazilian Cerrado demonstrate that pre-harvest burning of sugarcane and the removal of crop residues negatively impact soil bacterial communities and mycorrhizal associations, respectively.

The IAI activities plan for 2016-2017 focuses on institutional transitions in Argentina and Brazil, the continuation and expansion of CRN3 research projects with an emphasis on interdisciplinary science and ecosystem services, and the delivery of professional development seminars across the Americas. Key science-policy goals include launching a MOOC at COP-22, participating in UNCBD COP-13 and IPBES-5, and aligning research with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The IAI's 2016-2017 plan focuses on enhancing interdisciplinary research through the CRN3 projects and new grants on ecosystem services for adaptation. Key capacity-building initiatives include professional seminars in Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic, and Canada, as well as an advanced science school on the nitrogen cycle in Brazil. The institute aims to strengthen science-policy links through a MOOC launched at COP 22, a partnership with IPBES, and participation in the UN High-Level Political Forum regarding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The document is a formal cooperation agreement between FAPESP and IAI, designating FAPESP as an Associate of IAI. The partnership aims to promote excellence in scientific work and develop human and institutional research capacities specifically focused on global change and its impacts on human well-being. The agreement outlines collaborative activities such as joint funding calls, researcher exchanges, and the creation of a joint Steering Committee to oversee progress. It specifies a 10-year validity period and emphasizes the open availability of research data and publications.

The first amendment to the cooperation agreement between the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) extends the partnership for ten years until January 7, 2035. It introduces new collaborative focus areas, including equity and diversity in science, the role of indigenous and local communities in biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation, scientific diplomacy via the IAI Regional Center for Scientific Diplomacy, open data and open science, and transdisciplinary science for public policy development.

The GovernAgua project analyzed six river basins in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay to identify how to improve water governance in the face of complex crises. Findings indicate that while water crises often lead to improved biophysical monitoring, responses remain predominantly reactive. The project advocates for a shift toward anticipatory governance, interdisciplinary practices, and stronger science-policy-society dialogue to address the fragmented management between environmental protection and agricultural productivity.

The report examines the role of South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in fostering sustainable urban development and climate resilience in the Global South. It highlights the importance of the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda, arguing that traditional North-South cooperation is insufficient. Through various case studies from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the document demonstrates how cities share knowledge on green transportation, water management, and urban planning. Key examples include Shenzhen's carbon trading, India's water resilience efforts, and Mexico City's green bonds. The report concludes that while cities are critical to the 'climate battle,' they often face institutional and financial barriers that SSTC can help overcome through peer-to-peer learning and innovative financing.

The GovernAgua project analyzed six watersheds in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay to understand the drivers of water crises and the effectiveness of basin committees. Findings indicate that while crises often improve biophysical monitoring, responses remain largely reactive. The project advocates for inter-institutional cooperation, transdisciplinary practices, and stronger science-policy-society dialogue to build anticipatory governance capacities.

The report by Mighty Earth alleges that Carrefour, as a leader in Brazilian retail, is linked to significant deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado. It highlights a heavy reliance on JBS for beef and Bunge for soy, both of which are identified as major drivers of deforestation. The report estimates Carrefour's potential responsibility for Amazon deforestation at 4.4% and documents specific links to illegal land clearing in indigenous territories.

The text explores the concept of 'human capitalism,' which applies the principles of natural capitalism—resource productivity and loop-closing—to social systems. It focuses extensively on Curitiba, Brazil, detailing how the city avoided traditional, single-solution urban planning in favor of an integrated design process. Key achievements include a high-capacity bus rapid transit system that functions like a subway at a fraction of the cost, 'design with nature' flood control using linear parks, and social programs like the 'Green Exchange' that trade recyclable waste for food. The document posits that treating citizens as resources rather than burdens creates a sustainable, dignified urban environment.

The report argues that technical and rational arguments for energy efficiency are insufficient on their own and should be paired with emotion-based narratives to drive systemic change. It highlights the 'Lifestyle for Environment' (LiFE) movement launched by India and provides a series of case studies from G20 nations—including India, the USA, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, and Japan—across the sectors of buildings, industry, and transport. These examples illustrate how leveraging feelings of pride, empowerment, and community responsibility can accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and behaviours.

The document provides a comprehensive analysis of carbon pricing mechanisms, specifically carbon taxes and emissions trading systems (ETS), within the Brazilian context. It evaluates international experiences, such as the EU ETS, to demonstrate that while short-term costs increase, long-term benefits include fostered innovation and business growth. The report details various macroeconomic studies on Brazil, suggesting that the negative impacts of emission restrictions can be minimized through revenue recycling and technological progress. It emphasizes the importance of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) and recommends that the Brazilian government establish a transparent climate governance structure. For companies, it suggests incorporating climate change into corporate strategy and adopting internal carbon pricing as a risk management tool.

Patrick Assumpção is implementing agroforestry systems in the Paraíba Valley, Brazil, to reverse centuries of soil degradation caused by unsustainable agriculture. By combining native hardwoods like guanandi with food crops and unconventional food plants (PANCs), he aims to restore 40,000 hectares of land. Supported by a 2018 study using the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), the initiative suggests that full restoration could increase the region's agricultural GDP by 32% and reduce soil erosion by 19%. To ensure economic viability, Assumpção is developing markets for these sustainable products by partnering with chefs and processing perishable native fruits into value-added goods.

The report analyzes bus system improvements across 13 cities in Latin America and Asia, highlighting the benefits of bus rapid transit (BRT) such as high usage levels and low capital investment. It identifies recurring failures in planning and implementation, including rushed launches and lack of integration with other transport modes. The document concludes with strategic recommendations for the planning and decision-making phases of urban transport reform.

The document examines how to attract private investment into Brazil's public transport sector by addressing market and institutional barriers. It argues that while federal policy is important, local government flexibility and the alignment of performance incentives are critical for success. The paper utilizes a framework focusing on market-level enabling conditions and project-level de-risking instruments, illustrated through case studies of the São Paulo Metrô's Linha 4 and the Estação Barreiro bus terminal in Belo Horizonte.

The document explains the methodology of extreme event attribution, which calculates how much climate change has altered the probability and intensity of specific weather events. It warns journalists against three common errors: ignoring climate change, attributing events without evidence, or citing it as the sole cause. The guide provides detailed analysis for heatwaves, floods, tropical cyclones, snowstorms, droughts, and wildfires, noting that while heatwaves are universally linked to global warming, other events like droughts and floods have more complex, region-specific relationships with climate change. It emphasizes that disasters are the result of both extreme weather and societal vulnerability, such as poor urban planning or water management.

The document argues that while global frameworks promote Nature-based Solutions (NbS), their implementation is stalled by institutional silos, regulatory ambiguity, and a lack of inclusive governance. It highlights specific gaps such as the preference for 'grey' infrastructure and the exclusion of Indigenous Peoples, while providing examples of successful coordination and legal innovations from countries like India, Costa Rica, and Peru.

The document details water stress in cities including São Paulo, Mexico City, Karachi, Los Angeles, Nairobi, Brisbane, and Seville, highlighting the roles of poor planning, climate-driven drought, and infrastructure failure. It advocates for a transition to climate-resilient water budgets through demand reduction, diversified water sources, and improved governance to avoid 'Day Zero' scenarios.