Search Climate Insights Directory

The Report of the IAI Standing Committee for Rules and Procedures, prepared by Argentina and the United States, recommends no amendments to the Standing Rules of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) for the 27th meeting in Brasilia, Brazil. The document includes the full text of the Standing Rules, which govern the participation, voting, and administrative procedures of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI).

The report from the IAI Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends no amendments to the Rules of Procedure for the 27th Conference of the Parties (CoP) in Brasilia, Brazil. It includes the full Rules of Procedure governing the CoP's operations, including membership, voting, and the election of officials.

The IAI Executive Directorate has implemented a new, more secure, and mobile-friendly website with database capabilities to replace an outdated HTML and Wordpress-based system. While a new interface was presented before the 27th Conference of the Parties, further technical improvements depend on the acquisition of external resources.

The document outlines the process and criteria for nominating candidates to the IAI's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) to fill two vacancies occurring in June 2019. It specifies that current members Dr. Elena Maria Abraham and Dr. Joshua Tewksbury are eligible for reelection and details the academic and professional standards required for new nominees, emphasizing a need for expertise in social sciences, oceanography, and ecosystem services.

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the IAI is seeking nominations to fill two positions becoming vacant in June 2019, as the first terms of Dr. Elena Maria Abraham and Dr. Joshua Tewksbury expire. The SAC emphasizes that candidates must be selected based on scientific excellence and a multidisciplinary profile rather than as national representatives, specifically highlighting a need for expertise in social sciences, oceanography, and ecosystem services.

The document outlines the process and criteria for nominating members to the Science Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Two current members, Dr. Elena Maria Abraham of Argentina and Dr. Joshua Tewksbury of the United States, are eligible for re-election. The SAC recommends that new appointments possess high academic excellence, a strong publication record, and a doctorate. For 2019, the committee specifically identifies a need for expertise in social sciences, oceanography, and ecosystem services, while encouraging the nomination of under-represented groups.

The IAI Directorate has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Organization of American States (OAS) to strengthen scientific research and policy contributions regarding global change in the Americas. The partnership includes efforts to expand IAI membership by engaging non-Parties in Central America and the Caribbean, including targeted outreach to El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, and Ecuador.

This briefing describes the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Organization of American States (OAS) to enhance scientific contributions to policy and expand IAI membership in the Americas.

This report by the IAI Directorate details the implementation of the IAI Open data policy and principles and the development of the IAI open data portal, including partnerships with academic institutions and international bodies to promote open science and South-South cooperation.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) proposed revisions to its Scientific Agenda during its 27th Conference of the Parties in 2019. The agenda is structured around four main research foci: climate change and variability, comparative studies of ecosystems and biodiversity, the chemical composition of the atmosphere and waters, and the human dimensions and policy implications of global change. These revisions aim to enhance transdisciplinary research and address the specific biogeographical needs of the Americas.

This briefing document from the IAI Directorate outlines the status of the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) elections for the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-27). It notes that elections cannot proceed until rules of procedure are adopted and recommends that current members continue their participation until elections can be held, potentially rescheduling them to the 28th meeting.

The Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) reports that joint meetings with the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) during 2018-2019 improved communication and knowledge exchange. The committee provided guidance on the Small Grants Programme for Human Well-being (SGP-HW), resulting in the selection of four projects for funding by December 14, 2018. The document proposes a new set of procedural regulations for the SPAC, including a five-member composition and a conflict-of-interest rule prohibiting members from applying for IAI funding during their tenure and for six months thereafter.

The document outlines the evolution of the IAI's Scientific Agenda, moving from seven initial research areas to four broad themes. It presents a revised version of these themes—covering climate variability, comparative ecosystem studies, chemical composition of the environment, and human dimensions—to be adopted by the Conference of the Parties.

This document is a report on the 26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-26) to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Antigua, Guatemala, from 20 to 21 June 2018. It details the proceedings, administrative and financial discussions, and the adoption of 45 decisions concerning the IAI's strategic plan, funding, science-policy initiatives, and organizational structure.

The IAI Directorate reports the successful July 2018 merger of the Science-Policy Liaison Directorate (Buenos Aires) with the Integrated Operations and Finance Directorate, as mandated by Decision XXVI/19. The report notes that the establishment of a Science Development Office in Brazil was deemed unnecessary and that the transition occurred without service interruptions.

The IAI Executive Directorate reports the successful merger of the Science-Policy Interface Directorate operations from Buenos Aires, Argentina, into the Finance and Integrated Operations Directorate as of July 2018. This action follows Decision XXVI/19 from the 26th Conference of the Parties (CoP-26), which also led to the cancellation of the proposed Tripartite Headquarters for the IAI Directorate and the determination that a separate Scientific Development Directorate was unnecessary.

A briefing from the IAI Directorate to the Conference of the Parties regarding the technical updates and ongoing enhancement of the IAI website.

The document describes a meeting intended to update OAS Member States on progress in integrated water resources management (IWRM) and address emerging challenges in the Americas, such as rapid urbanization, climate change, and transboundary water conflicts. It emphasizes the role of science in reducing environmental uncertainties and proposes a cooperation-based approach to manage shared water basins, which account for approximately 60% of freshwater resources in the Americas. The session aims to identify new strategic alliances, strengthen public policies through knowledge transfer, and promote a rights-based approach to water and sanitation.

The French National Research Agency (ANR) is leading two Belmont Forum Collaborative Research Actions (CRAs). The first, 'Food systems and climate (change)', aims to develop climate-resilient and sustainable food value chains, with a specific focus on the Global South and regional food systems. It involves a partnership with the EU Joint Programme Initiative (JPI) FACCE and ERA-NET LEAP Agri, with 31 ERA-NET partners including entities from Europe, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The second, 'Towards sustainability of soils and groundwater for societal benefit', is in a scoping phase to understand the dynamics of the 'Critical Zone' (from the lower atmosphere to fresh bedrock) and propose management transformations. This second CRA is co-led by AllEnvi and ANR, with a steering committee including the NSF (USA), FAPESP (Brazil), and QNRF (Qatar).

The IAI Strategic Plan (2019–2044) establishes a long-term framework to bridge the gap between science and policy in the Americas. The plan is organized into three themes: meeting the needs of member Parties, advancing science for regional sustainability, and ensuring the organizational sustainability of the IAI. Key priorities include promoting transdisciplinary research on climate action, water and energy security, and biodiversity, while expanding the institute's membership and establishing a 100 million USD endowment fund.