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This briefing argues that 'imperfect agreements'—instruments that are incomplete, transitional, or not fully formal—can be effective tools for promoting trade and sustainable development when multilateral consensus at the WTO is stalled. The author suggests that flexible, member-driven arrangements, such as targeted trade deals and soft law commitments, can generate state practice and serve as stepping stones toward formal legal codification and WTO reform.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and various partners analyzes the state of global coal-fired power generation in 2025 and early 2026. It highlights a growing divergence where global coal capacity continues to increase—driven primarily by China and India—while actual generation decreases as renewables displace coal. The document details regional trends, noting that while Latin America has reached a 'No New Coal' status, several countries in the region are experiencing delays in planned plant retirements due to political pressure or energy security concerns.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics explains the mechanisms of El Niño, its interaction with climate change, and its global socio-economic and environmental impacts. It highlights a 61% chance of an El Niño event emerging between May and July 2026, noting that human-caused warming is likely increasing the frequency and severity of such events, while simultaneously making them harder to predict.

This fact sheet by Transforma, published in April 2026, argues for an orderly and just transition away from fossil fuels in Latin America and the Caribbean. It highlights the region's extreme climate vulnerability, the economic risks of stranded assets, and the persistence of fossil fuel subsidies despite the region possessing the world's cleanest electricity matrix. The document calls for binding roadmaps for fossil fuel exit, particularly in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, and emphasizes the need for a 'Just Transition Mechanism' to support territories and workers.

The 60th meeting of the Executive Council of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on January 8, 2026, focused on the institutional and financial crisis triggered by the United States' withdrawal from the organization. The Council discussed severe budget reductions, the need for institutional restructuring, and efforts to diversify funding through development banks and philanthropic organizations. The meeting concluded with the decision to convene an Extraordinary Conference of the Parties in March 2026 to address these challenges.

This research paper by Rashid S. Kaukab analyzes the ongoing debates within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the governance of electronic commerce ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). It examines the tension between the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (WPEC) and the plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-Commerce, specifically focusing on the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions and the digital divide affecting developing countries.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) describes the Water Evaluation and Adaptation Planning (WEAP) platform, a scenario-based modelling tool designed to help decision-makers understand climate impacts on water systems and develop adaptation strategies. It highlights WEAP's role in supporting National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and provides examples of its application in various global regions to manage water scarcity, resource allocation, and transboundary river basins.

This briefing from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) provides a financial update for the period of July to October 2025, detailing party contributions and operational expenditures for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

This report details the outcomes of a multilateral simulation workshop held in Bogotá, Colombia, in October 2025. Organized by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG), and The Degrees Initiative, the event aimed to strengthen the capacity of government representatives and researchers from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to engage in international deliberations regarding Solar Radiation Modification (SRM).

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the scale and diversity of the forest-climate nexus across 91 tropical countries. It quantifies forest extent, carbon stocks, and deforestation rates to argue for differentiated, fit-for-purpose policy strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The analysis concludes that there is no inherent trade-off between forest conservation and economic development.

The 33rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-33) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) took place in Asunción, Paraguay, on May 29-30, 2025. The meeting focused on strengthening regional scientific collaboration, advancing science diplomacy, and enhancing climate resilience across the Americas. Key outcomes included the adoption of 18 decisions, the creation of an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee (IPAC), the approval of an updated Open Science and Open Data Policy, and the admission of three new Associate members: the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC).

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research has appointed five members to its new Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee (IPAC) following a call for applications between February and March 2025. The selected members represent Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru, and were chosen for their expertise in bridging Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to address global environmental change.

This briefing document details the progress made by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) in implementing its Gender, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Policy and the formal establishment of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee (IPAC).

This report from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) presents the operating budget request for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and preliminary requests for 2026-2028, alongside the expected contributions from member countries.

This fact sheet outlines the benefits and opportunities available to Bolivia as a member country of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), detailing specific funded projects, fellowship programs, and institutional resources.

This fact sheet details Colombia's participation as a member of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). It highlights Colombia's involvement in climate and health projects (Andex and Harmonize), the receipt of seed funding for tropical forest and health research, and the appointment of Colombian representatives to IAI's science, policy, and indigenous peoples advisory committees. It also lists specific fellows in the STeP program and collaborations with various international universities and research centers.

This fact sheet from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) outlines the benefits, opportunities, and specific projects available to Costa Rica as an IAI member country, focusing on scientific diplomacy, research funding, and capacity building.

The report details the 58th meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council, held via videoconference on November 6, 2024. The meeting focused on the relocation of the IAI headquarters to Panama, updates on scientific initiatives including tropical forest and ocean research, the development of a Science Diplomacy Center, and the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee.

The 58th IAI Executive Council meeting report details the successful relocation of the IAI headquarters to Panama, a 20% increase in voluntary contributions for FY 2024-2025, and the launch of a Collaborative Research Action on Tropical Forests. Key future initiatives include a June 2025 CRA on Oceans, the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee, and the rollout of a scientific diplomacy curriculum in early 2025. The report also confirms that the 33rd Conference of the Parties (CoP-33) will be held in Paraguay in May 2025.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines Nature-based solutions (NbS) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), detailing their potential for climate mitigation and adaptation alongside significant risks regarding biodiversity, land rights, and greenwashing.