Search Climate Insights Directory

This report details several research initiatives supported by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) across the Americas. These projects focus on the intersection of environmental science and public policy, addressing nitrogen cycling, tropical dry forest conservation, climate services for agriculture, freshwater ecosystem risks, malaria transmission in the Amazon, water security in arid regions, oceanic carbon sequestration, the impact of highways on zoonotic diseases, and urban hydrological vulnerability.

This report, published by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), examines the multifaceted impacts of climate change across Latin America and the Caribbean. It highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of rural women, indigenous populations, and coastal communities, while discussing the intersection of environmental degradation with public health, education, and migration. The document advocates for a transdisciplinary approach to science that integrates local and ancestral knowledge to inform public policy and foster regional resilience.

The IAI's STeP Pilot Fellowship Program is a regional initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean designed to train scientists and policymakers in science diplomacy, communication, and leadership. The program aims to integrate scientific evidence into public policy through a structured two-year professional development plan and the creation of an Inter-American networking platform. Key goals include establishing a 'Training of Trainers' model to ensure sustainability and fostering multinational collaborations to address global change and sustainable development.

The IAI Science Technology & Policy (STeP) Fellowship Pilot Program (2020-2024) is a professional development initiative designed to bridge the gap between the scientific and policymaking communities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The program provides a two-year training curriculum focused on three pillars—Science Diplomacy, Communication, and Leadership—to equip scientists with the soft skills and policy knowledge necessary to inform sustainable development and global change policies.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has issued Terms of Reference for a consultancy to develop training materials on science diplomacy related to global environmental change (GEC) in the Americas. This initiative supports the creation of a regional Center for Science Diplomacy (CSD) and the IAI's Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program.

This research paper by Rashid S. Kaukab analyzes the divisions among World Trade Organization (WTO) members regarding the regulation of e-commerce ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). It examines the tension between the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and the plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative, focusing on the contentious moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions and the challenges faced by developing countries in bridging the digital divide.

This research paper analyzes the impact of US tariffs on Latin American economies and the subsequent indirect risks posed by China's potential policy responses. The authors argue that while direct US tariffs hit Mexico and Central America hardest, South American countries are more vulnerable to a slowdown in Chinese demand for raw materials.

This research paper analyzes the impact of US tariffs on Latin American economies and the subsequent indirect risks posed by China's economic response. The authors argue that while direct US tariffs heavily affect Mexico and Central America, the greater risk for South American nations lies in a potential decline in Chinese demand for raw materials resulting from US-China trade tensions.

This briefing note, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International, Geneva, examines the challenges faced by developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce. It highlights a significant digital divide and capacity gaps that hinder these nations' ability to participate in negotiations and implement future agreements. The document proposes shifting from a narrow focus on regulatory cooperation toward a comprehensive approach that includes 'enabling issues' such as infrastructure and technical assistance, and suggests adopting a hybrid Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) model based on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to ensure capacity-building commitments are enforceable.

This 2004 research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the relationship between international investment agreements (IIAs) and sustainable development. It argues that the traditional model of IIAs, which focuses heavily on investor protections, has failed to empirically prove its ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and often conflicts with the regulatory needs and development priorities of host states. The paper advocates for a 'Southern Agenda' that balances private investor rights with public goods, transparency, and the specific needs of developing countries.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the historical evolution of Brazil's regional identity and its transition toward becoming a regional power. It argues that Brazil historically distinguished itself from 'Latin America'—which it viewed as synonymous with Spanish America—and has only recently shifted its foreign policy focus toward active engagement and leadership within South America.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) has launched the Initiative on Producer to Consumer Sustainability (P2CS), a platform designed to improve the sustainability of international trade by analyzing production-to-consumption systems (PCSs). The initiative combines innovative supply chain modelling with multidisciplinary governance analysis to increase transparency and identify opportunities for sustainable trade practices.

This policy brief summarizes the outcomes of a regional retreat held in October 2017 in Colombia, organized by the Government of Colombia and the Independent Research Forum (IRF). The event brought together policy-makers from 12 Latin American countries to share experiences and identify strategies for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The brief focuses on five key themes: mainstreaming the SDGs into national policy, building cooperation and partnerships, monitoring progress, financing the agenda, and creating spaces for dialogue and learning.

This policy brief by the Latinoamérica Sostenible alliance (comprising Espacio Público, Transforma, and Ethos) analyzes the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, green jobs, and rural indigenous communities in Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. It argues that the pandemic exacerbated structural inequalities and that regional recovery strategies must prioritize social inclusion, gender equity, and environmental sustainability to be just and resilient.

This case study by the World Resources Institute examines how Chile can integrate the non-carbon biophysical effects of forests—such as albedo, evapotranspiration, surface roughness, and aerosols—into its national climate policies. The document argues that while Chile has ambitious climate goals, its current frameworks primarily focus on carbon, overlooking the significant local cooling and rainfall regulation provided by forests. It suggests specific improvements for Chile's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Long-Term Climate Strategy, and REDD+ programs to better account for these biophysical benefits.

This case study by the World Resources Institute examines how Chile can integrate the non-carbon biophysical effects of forests into its national climate policies. It argues that while carbon sequestration is the primary focus of climate strategies, biophysical processes—such as albedo, evapotranspiration, surface roughness, and aerosols—significantly influence local and global temperatures and precipitation. The document analyzes Chile's forest loss, the resulting local temperature increases, and provides specific recommendations for enhancing the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Long-Term Climate Strategy, and REDD+ frameworks to account for these effects.

This report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) examines how Chile can integrate the non-carbon biophysical effects of forests into its national climate policies. It argues that forests influence climate stability through processes like albedo, evapotranspiration, surface roughness, and aerosols, which can significantly impact local and regional temperatures and rainfall beyond the global carbon cycle. Using Chile as a case study, the document identifies opportunities to enhance the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), long-term climate strategies, REDD+ frameworks, and subnational development plans to better account for these biophysical cooling effects and mitigate the warming caused by deforestation.

This report by the World Resources Institute argues that current carbon markets systematically undervalue tropical forests by focusing exclusively on greenhouse gas emissions and ignoring critical non-carbon biophysical effects that contribute to global, regional, and local climate stabilization.

This report by the World Resources Institute argues that current carbon market crediting systems systematically undervalue tropical forests by focusing exclusively on carbon sequestration and ignoring critical non-carbon biophysical effects that contribute to global climate stability.

This report by the World Resources Institute argues that current carbon credit markets systematically undervalue tropical forests by focusing exclusively on carbon sequestration and ignoring critical non-carbon biophysical effects that contribute to global, regional, and local climate cooling.