Search Climate Insights Directory

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Start-Up Plan 1995 outlines the transition from interim governance to a fully operational Directorate. It details the transfer of functions from the Conference of the Parties (CoP) and Executive Council (EC) to an elected Director, the establishment of financial policies and core funding mechanisms, and the interim responsibilities of the Director pro tempore.

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.

This briefing outlines suggested voluntary contributions from member countries to provide substantive support for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), totaling $570,000.

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 Pierre Sauvé argues for the modernization of industrial policy to center on the services economy. The author contends that while current industrial policies remain rooted in 20th-century manufacturing paradigms, services now drive global innovation, productivity, and competitiveness, acting as essential inputs for all economic sectors.

This research paper by Pierre Sauvé argues for a paradigm shift in industrial policy, moving from a traditional focus on manufacturing to one that prioritizes the services economy. The author contends that services are no longer merely residual activities but are essential inputs that drive productivity, innovation, and competitiveness across all economic sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing.

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 policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the different types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholder farmers, the role of foreign investment in these structures, and the necessary legal and governmental frameworks to support their success.

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 guide, produced by the OECD and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), provides policy recommendations for developing countries to combat base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) in the mining sector. It specifically addresses the use of excessive debt by multinational enterprises (MNEs) to shift profits abroad through interest deductions. The document details common aggressive tax planning structures, explains the application of OECD BEPS Action 4, and suggests a combination of fiscal tools to protect national tax bases while maintaining an attractive investment climate.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and CUTS International, Geneva, provides an update on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Working Group (IWG) on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) from June to December 2020. It details the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs, particularly those led by women, and outlines a package of six recommendations and declarations adopted by the IWG in December 2020 to improve MSME integration into the multilateral trading system.

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.

This guide, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute, serves as a companion document that maps the 'PROVIA Guidance on Assessing Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation to Climate Change' to the 'Technical Guidelines for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process'. It provides national policy-makers in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and other developing countries with specific methods, tools, and decision trees to implement the various steps of the NAP process, from laying the groundwork and assessing vulnerabilities to implementing and monitoring adaptation strategies.

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 working paper by the World Resources Institute explores how climate finance can catalyze transformational change in low-carbon energy. By analyzing 20 case studies from developed and developing countries, the paper identifies the characteristics of systemic transformation, evaluates specific national experiences, and provides a planning framework and recommendations for recipient governments and development finance institutions.

This guide from the World Resources Institute outlines various instruments for raising public finance to support climate goals, focusing on international public finance, climate bonds, debt-for-climate swaps, and national climate funds. It details how these mechanisms can help developing countries fill funding gaps for their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the benefits and challenges associated with each, and provides real-world examples of their implementation.

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.