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This briefing, authored by Dr. Tanya Petach of the Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI), examines the drivers of declining lake and reservoir water storage globally. It highlights the distinction between anthropogenic causes, such as unsustainable water consumption, and climate-driven factors, such as increased evaporation and changing precipitation patterns, to argue for targeted policy interventions and adaptive management strategies to prevent urban 'Day Zero' scenarios.

This report details the proceedings and decisions of the 32nd meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-32) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held via videoconference on May 22-23, 2024. The meeting focused on financial planning, the relocation of the IAI Executive Directorate from Uruguay to Panama, the integration of Indigenous knowledge into climate science, and the expansion of the IAI's network of Associate institutions.

This policy brief outlines the necessity for India to develop a comprehensive copper strategy to support its infrastructure growth and clean energy transition, focusing on supply diversification, trade reforms, and the promotion of a circular economy through scrap recycling.

This report, produced by the Climate Bonds Initiative and Peking University, examines the role of transition finance in decarbonising China's power sector. It emphasizes the necessity of credible, science-based transition plans to attract capital and avoid greenwashing, while analyzing the use of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) and use-of-proceeds (UoP) instruments. The document provides a framework for electrical utilities to develop transition roadmaps and includes case studies of Vattenfall, Enel, and China Huaneng Group to illustrate varying levels of alignment with global standards.

A statement delivered by Hon. Kerrie D. Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Barbados, on 26 June 2024, calling for the immediate entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and the conclusion of negotiations on overcapacity and overfishing.

In 2022, Starwood Energy Group accelerated the retirement of the Logan and Chambers coal plants in New Jersey by 30 months. This was achieved through a three-part strategy: renegotiating PPAs with Atlantic City Electric to save ratepayers $30 million, refinancing $200 million in debt via MetLife to fund the transition, and planning the redevelopment of the sites into grid-scale battery storage (876 MWh and 960 MWh). The move is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 3.9 million tons.

This case study examines the managed phaseout of the South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation (SLTEC) coal plant in the Philippines. In 2022, ACEN Corporation sold its equity in the plant to a special purpose vehicle (SPV), reducing the plant's operating life by 25 years to a retirement date of 2040. The transaction utilized a structure based on the Asian Development Bank's energy transition mechanism to lower the cost of capital and facilitate ACEN's transition toward 100% renewable energy by 2025.

This document is a list of participants for the 32nd Meeting to the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, hosted by Bolivia and Canada on 22-23 May 2024. It lists representatives from member countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, the United States, and Uruguay, as well as members of the SAC and SPAC advisory committees and various observers from international organizations and universities.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity generation trends in 2023 across solar, wind, coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, and bioenergy. It highlights record growth in solar and wind, a slight increase in coal generation driven by droughts in China, and the gap between current growth rates and the IEA Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario requirements.

The report 'The Big Picture' by Ember analyzes the global electricity transition in 2024, arguing that 2023 likely marked the peak of fossil fuel generation and power sector emissions. It highlights the dominant role of solar energy, the emerging drivers of electricity demand such as data centers and electrification, and provides case studies on the rapid transition strategies of China, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

This document is a consolidated record of decisions from the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from 1997 to 2024. Key recent outcomes include the adoption of the 2024-2030 Strategic Plan, the approval of the 2024-2025 operating budget with a 20% increase in voluntary contributions, and the transition of the IAI headquarters from Uruguay to Panama. The IAI is expanding its network of Associate members (including institutions in Chile and Brazil) and establishing specialized research programs on the climate-health nexus and ocean sciences. Additionally, the institute is implementing policies for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is working to create advisory committees for indigenous peoples and local communities.

The document records the decisions made during the 32nd Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held via videoconference on May 22-23, 2024. The meeting focused on budget approvals, the adoption of a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2030, the expansion of institutional associates, and the planned relocation of the IAI Executive Directorate from Uruguay to Panama.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the current technological landscape of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and the potential for emerging technologies to drive sustainable development. It analyzes the ASM life cycle—from exploration to mine closure—and identifies gaps in technology adoption, particularly regarding worker safety, environmental protection, and financial inclusion. The document highlights the dual nature of technological advancement: while it can increase productivity and recovery rates, it also risks displacing labor, especially women, and potentially increasing environmental degradation through overmining.

This briefing document, prepared by the IAI Directorate, presents the report of the 2024 Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). The primary purpose of the meeting, held via videoconference on 26 March 2024, was to review and decide upon a proposal from Panama to host the headquarters of the IAI Directorate.

The Report of the Financial Working Group, prepared by the IAI Directorate, outlines a plan to ensure the financial stability of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) through adjusted voluntary contributions and the acceptance of in-kind support.

This report from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details the activities and recommendations of the Financial Working Group. The group was tasked with developing a plan to increase voluntary contributions to the IAI's operating budget and define other forms of financial and in-kind support to ensure financial stability amidst inflation and growth in activities.

This report details the activities of the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from July 1, 2023, to April 19, 2024. It outlines progress in collaborative research, scientific diplomacy, and thematic programs focusing on climate, health, oceans, and mountain science, as well as efforts to improve equity, diversity, and open data access.

This briefing from the IAI Directorate presents the core budget request for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and preliminary requests for 2025-2027, detailing operational costs, staffing changes, and proposed increases in country contributions.

This briefing document, prepared by the IAI Directorate, presents the report of the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-31) held on 21-22 June 2023 in Panama City, Panama. The document outlines the administrative, financial, and scientific decisions made during the meeting, including the approval of budgets, the election of leadership, and the establishment of new initiatives such as the Science Diplomacy Center and an Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Advisory Committee.

This report from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details the activities and recommendations of the Financial Working Group. The group was established to develop a plan for increasing voluntary contributions to the IAI's operating budget and defining other types of financial and in-kind support to ensure financial stability amidst inflation and growth in activities.