Search Climate Insights Directory

This interim report describes the design and early implementation of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Regional Assessment (IAI-RA). The IAI-RA is a boundary-spanning activity intended to reconcile the supply and demand of scientific knowledge by identifying the specific information needs of government decision-makers in the Americas to better guide science funding and capacity building related to global environmental change (GEC).

This policy brief examines the challenges faced by developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) participating in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on electronic commerce. It highlights a significant digital divide in infrastructure and information, arguing that current negotiations focus too heavily on regulatory cooperation rather than the foundational capacity building and technical assistance required for these nations to implement future commitments and benefit from the digital economy.

This report documents the 52nd meeting of the Executive Council (EC-52) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held via videoconference on November 18, 2021. The meeting focused on implementing decisions from the 29th Conference of the Parties (CoP-29), reviewing the operational budget, and updating the Council on scientific projects and capacity-building initiatives across the Americas.

The report details the 52nd meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council, held via videoconference on 18 November 2021. The meeting focused on implementing decisions from the 29th Conference of the Parties (CoP-29), reviewing the core budget and endowment fund, and updating the Council on science and capacity-building initiatives, including a new drought information system for southern South America.

An analysis by Carolyn Deere Birkbeck of the Forum on Trade, Environment and the SDGs regarding opportunities for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address environmental crises and sustainable development during its 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12).

This report by the World Resources Institute outlines the critical role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and community lands in climate change mitigation. It argues that while community lands cover approximately half of the world's land and provide immense ecosystem services and carbon sequestration, they are often legally unrecognized and underfunded. The document provides evidence that secure land tenure leads to lower deforestation rates and proposes six strategic steps to better integrate community land management into global climate action.

This fact sheet provides a summary of the Zero Hunger Private Sector Pledge as of May 24, 2022, listing the financial commitments and geographic focus of 43 participating companies.

This fact sheet provides guidance on Adaptation Communications (ADCOMs) under the UNFCCC, explaining their purpose, voluntary nature, and flexible submission options. It specifically details how countries can align ADCOMs with National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes to reduce reporting burdens and provide input for the first global stocktake.

This policy brief analyzes the services market access negotiations under the WTO E-commerce Joint Statement Initiative (JSI). It highlights a significant trade imbalance, where developed nations are net exporters of the targeted digital services while developing nations are net importers. The brief identifies key challenges, including the 'technological neutrality' of GATS, the undecided legal architecture of the JSI, and a lack of gender and social inclusion considerations. It recommends that developing countries pursue a 'built-in development dimension' through progressive liberalization and multi-stakeholder national assessments.

This document is a report from the Executive Council of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) dated May 25, 2021, which presents the independent auditors' report and financial statements for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2020, and 2019.

The report 'The Road to Sustainable Transport' examines the environmental and social impacts of global transportation, the evolution of international policy from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the Sustainable Development Goals, and case studies of sustainable urban mobility. It highlights the role of public transit, non-motorized transport, and electrification in reducing carbon emissions and improving public health, while noting the potential for post-COVID-19 recovery packages to accelerate these transitions.

This briefing from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) provides an overview of the financial status for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, detailing party contributions, budget performance, and administrative controls.

The document is an auditors report for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), presenting the financial statements for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2019. It includes an independent auditor's opinion, balance sheets, statements of operations, and detailed notes on scientific programs and core budget contributions.

A notification from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research announcing a change in the membership of its Science Advisory Committee (SAC).

A statement by the Green Economy Coalition and the World Fair Trade Organization arguing that Fair Trade Enterprises provide a blueprint for reforming the global economy by prioritizing community benefit, environmental engagement, and long-term supplier partnerships over short-term profit maximization.

This working paper examines the experiences and challenges of climate change practitioners in the global South as they transitioned to online engagement during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on a 2020 CDKN survey and interviews across Africa, Asia, and South America, the document analyzes the impact of the digital divide, evaluates various communication platforms, and provides lessons for organizing inclusive virtual events for marginalized and remote populations.

This report summarizes a virtual workshop held on January 21, 2021, organized by the European Forest Institute, Climate Policy Initiative, and UNDP. The event brought together over 200 participants from more than 60 countries to discuss the mapping and tracking of domestic climate finance, focusing on how these tools can drive policy ambition, improve reporting under the Paris Agreement, and mobilize both public and private investment.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines mine closure policies in South America, with a detailed focus on the legislative frameworks of Chile and Peru. It outlines international best practices for mine closure, emphasizing the critical role of financial guarantees to prevent abandoned sites and protect the public interest. The document compares the national approaches of Chile and Peru, highlighting their use of mandatory financial assurances and periodic plan updates, while noting a general lack of emphasis on social transition and post-closure land use in both jurisdictions.

The 'Climate and Society' game is a training tool designed to illustrate how social, economic, and physical attributes—such as gender, age, and socio-economic status—create varying levels of climate vulnerability and adaptive capacity. Using fictional scenarios in Ethiopia, India, and Latin America, the game encourages participants to 'walk in other people's shoes' to identify barriers to participation in climate planning. The guide provides strategies for making consultations and adaptation interventions more inclusive by adjusting timing, location, and personnel to accommodate marginalized groups.

The outcome document of the Latin America Regional Resilience Dialogue outlines strategies to build urban and rural resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean following the COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasizes the need for a regenerative economy, nature-based solutions, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern science to address climate-related disasters and food insecurity.