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The document explains that Adaptation Communications (ADCOMs) are voluntary reports under the Paris Agreement designed to synthesize a country's climate adaptation priorities, efforts, and needs. It outlines four primary goals: enhancing the visibility of adaptation relative to mitigation, strengthening support for developing countries, providing inputs for the global stocktake, and enhancing learning. Countries have flexibility in submission, choosing to provide ADCOMs as standalone documents, in conjunction with other reports, or as components of existing documents like NDCs or NAPs. The guide emphasizes that ADCOMs are country-driven and should not create additional burdens for developing nations, suggesting that countries can synthesize existing information from their NAP processes to meet submission goals, particularly for the 2023 global stocktake.

The document explains that Adaptation Communications (ADCOMs) are voluntary reports under the Paris Agreement designed to synthesize a country's climate adaptation priorities, needs, and lessons. It outlines four primary purposes: increasing the visibility of adaptation relative to mitigation, mobilizing support for developing countries, providing data for the Global Stocktake, and enhancing learning. The text details flexible submission methods—as standalone documents, linked to other reports, or as components of existing documents like NDCs or NAPs—and emphasizes that ADCOMs should not create additional burdens for developing nations. It also provides a detailed list of optional content elements and explains how countries can leverage their ongoing NAP processes to inform their ADCOMs.

The document explains that Adaptation Communications (ADCOMs) are optional reports under the Paris Agreement used by countries to share climate adaptation priorities, needs, and lessons. It outlines four main objectives: increasing attention to adaptation, strengthening support for developing countries, contributing to the Global Stocktake, and improving knowledge of adaptation measures. Countries can submit ADCOMs as standalone documents, jointly with other reports, or as components of existing documents like NDCs or NAPs to minimize administrative burdens. The text emphasizes that ADCOMs are country-driven, flexible, and not intended for direct comparison between parties.

The document advocates for a 'slower and deeper' approach to storytelling and fieldwork when working with Indigenous communities, particularly in the context of forest preservation and climate change. It warns that prioritizing short-term gains increases the risk of misrepresentation. To illustrate the value of long-term commitment, it highlights the work of Claudia Andujar with the Yanomami in Brazil since 1971, whose sustained engagement led to the co-founding of the Pro-Yanomami Commission and the 1992 demarcation of their lands. It also references Josué Rivas's coverage of the Standing Rock protests and Pablo Albarenga's work with Sonia Guajajara to emphasize that meaningful imagery is a result of genuine human encounters rather than a primary goal.

The 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (CoP-29) resulted in the adoption of 17 decisions covering financial budgets, governance policies, and scientific initiatives. Key outcomes include the approval of a new Gender Policy, a Whistleblower policy, and the establishment of a working group for a national climate assessment initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed financial strains caused by a lack of voluntary contributions and updated the IAI Scientific Agenda.

The report details the administrative, financial, and scientific outcomes of the IAI's 29th Conference of the Parties. Key actions include the approval of the 2021-2022 operating budget, the adoption of a gender policy for projects, and the establishment of a working group for national climate assessments in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed the financial pressure caused by unpaid voluntary contributions and the need to combat predatory scientific publishing in the Americas.

This document is a participant list for the 29th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, which took place on 22-23 June 2021. It identifies representatives from member parties, advisory committee members, and observers from government agencies and scientific organizations.

The briefing argues that the EU-Mercosur trade deal was concluded without a complete sustainability impact assessment (SIA), which the European Ombudsman identified as maladministration. It highlights concerns that the agreement could increase deforestation in Mercosur countries, particularly Brazil, and criticizes the European Commission's attempt to seek pre-ratification commitments rather than renegotiating the text. Furthermore, the document opposes any effort by the Commission to 'split' the trade and political components of the agreement to bypass the requirement for unanimity in the Council and ratification by the 27 EU Member State parliaments, asserting that such a move would violate the original 1999 mandate and principles of sincere cooperation.

The IAI report for the 2020-2021 fiscal year indicates that only 57% of approved contributions were received by April 30, 2021, with 8 countries delayed by more than three years. Total expenditures from July 2020 to February 2021 were $777,655, which was 16.7% lower than the budgeted $933,333, primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel and physical meetings. The report also notes that contributions remaining at $5,000 since 1992 have lost approximately 89% of their purchasing power.

This briefing document outlines the establishment of a whistleblower policy for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), as mandated by Decision XXVIII/5. The policy, integrated into the revised IAI employee handbook, provides a mechanism for staff to report wrongdoing to the IAI Executive Council with guarantees against retaliation. The document also includes the full text of the revised IAI Employee Handbook, detailing recruitment, compensation, benefits, performance reviews, and travel policies.

The IAI Directorate reported progress in aligning its Scientific Agenda with its Strategic Plan, incorporating revisions from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia. Key scientific initiatives included transdisciplinary projects on vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and St. Lucia, and the development of a COVID-19 working group. The Directorate launched the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, implemented in two countries, and established partnerships with Mitacs in Canada and the PAGES program. Efforts to bridge science and policy included a virtual workshop on drought policies for Southern South America and the creation of a fire monitoring platform for the triborder Amazon region (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru). The IAI also collaborated with the Belmont Forum on several Collaborative Research Actions (CRA) and published a special issue in the Journal Environmental Development on CRN3 results.

The IAI Executive Directorate reported progress in its strategic plan during 2020-2021 despite COVID-19 challenges. Key achievements include the launch of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, the development of a revised scientific agenda incorporating feedback from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia, and the execution of transdisciplinary projects on climate-driven vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and Saint Lucia. The IAI also expanded its partnerships with the Belmont Forum, Wellcome Trust, and Mitacs Canada, while contributing to the IPCC's chapter on Central and South America.

The IAI and PAGES have agreed to collaborate on the "International mobility research Fellowship Program for Latin American and Caribbean early career scientists on past global changes". The program targets PhD students in their final stages or postdoctoral researchers who are citizens of Latin American or Caribbean countries. Eligible candidates must conduct research in a host institution within Latin America or the Caribbean that is not their home country, focusing on topics within the scope of PAGES. The program aims to promote collaborative research, open science, and a better understanding of Earth's past climate to inform future projections and sustainability strategies. IAI is responsible for financial management and reporting, while both entities collaborate on the call for applications and the selection of awardees. The program intended for the first fellows to begin their mobility in early 2022.

The joint report by the SAC and SPAC details their collaborative activities between sessions, including the revision of the IAI Scientific Agenda, the editorial process for a CRN3 special edition, and the creation of working groups focused on COVID-19, strategic plan indicators, and regional assessment models.

Uruguay transitioned its electricity generation to 98% renewable sources by 2019 through the Energy Policy 2005–2030, significantly increasing wind power capacity and creating over 11,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2018. This transition was supported by tripartite social dialogue involving the government, employers, and unions, as well as technical assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO). While the shift successfully retired fossil-fuel plants with minimal worker impact through early retirement, it introduced challenges including the privatization of the electricity sector and a reliance on foreign manufacturers for renewable energy equipment.

The Philippines has adopted a comprehensive national strategy for a just transition, primarily through the 2016 Green Jobs Act (RA 10771), which provides financial incentives for businesses to create decent, environmentally beneficial employment. Supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the country piloted just transition guidelines from 2016 to 2017, establishing inter-agency cooperation and social dialogue mechanisms. While the framework is strong, challenges remain regarding worker protections, barriers to green business technology, and low public awareness of climate change.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research is seeking nominations for two vacancies on its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), to be filled during the 29th Conference of the Parties meeting on June 22-23, 2021. The SAC emphasizes the need for internationally recognized scientists with expertise in global change in the Americas, specifically highlighting a need for geographic balance in Central America, the Caribbean, and the tropical Andes, as well as gender and ethnic balance. Preferred areas of expertise include social sciences, traditional and indigenous knowledge, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and planetary health.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research is seeking nominations for two seats on its Science Advisory Committee (SAC) to be filled at the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in June 2021. The SAC emphasizes the need for candidates with international recognition in global change science in the Americas, specifically calling for geographic, gender, and ethnic balance, with a particular focus on underrepresented regions such as Central America, the Caribbean, and the tropical Andes. Desired expertise includes social sciences, indigenous knowledge, climate change adaptation and mitigation, planetary health, and informatics.

The document analyzes the widespread eutrophication of Uruguay's aquatic ecosystems, identifying agricultural intensification as the primary driver of nutrient pollution, particularly phosphorus. It details how climate change exacerbates these symptoms and describes the public health risks posed by toxic cyanobacterial blooms, such as those from the Microcystis aeruginosa complex. The authors argue that current soil conservation practices, like no-till farming, may inadvertently increase soluble phosphorus runoff. They recommend a transition toward neutral or negative phosphorus balances, the use of catch crops, and a shift from a centralized to a decentralized, multi-actor water governance model to effectively mitigate the crisis.

The document argues that Colombia has the technical and economic capacity to phase out coal-fired power generation by leveraging its high hydroelectric capacity and expanding non-conventional renewable energy sources. It notes that most existing coal plants are obsolete, with an average age of 34 years, and that new coal projects are largely stalled due to financial and social opposition. The brief highlights a complementarity between hydroelectricity and renewables (solar and wind) that can ensure energy security during droughts, reducing the need for fossil fuel backups. It also warns that relying on natural gas as a transition fuel is risky due to limited national reserves, estimated to last only about eight years. The report recommends that the Colombian government lead the transition by abandoning coal generation and promoting a diversified, carbon-neutral electricity sector by 2050.