Search Climate Insights Directory

This document is a participant list for the 39th Executive Council Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, held in Lima, Peru, on June 23, 2015. It lists representatives from various countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and the USA, as well as observers from Panama, Japan, Ecuador, and organizations such as UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research.

The IAI Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) evaluates the implementation of an interdisciplinary research model combining natural and social sciences to create policy-relevant solutions in the Americas. The report highlights the success of specific projects, such as meteorological data compilation for crop yield modelling and ecosystem service vulnerability assessments. However, the SAC identifies a critical lack of regional data infrastructure to serve decision-makers and the public. Key recommendations include integrating social scientists from the start of projects, establishing a regional data services framework, and improving capacity building through interdisciplinary workshops.

The SAC reports that the IAI's interdisciplinary model, combining social and natural sciences, is producing useful results and serving as a global example. While evaluating CRN3 projects, the SAC identified a critical regional lack of infrastructure for hosting and distributing data and services. The committee recommends integrating social scientists from the start of project design and strengthening capacity development to better link science with policy in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The 23rd CoP of the IAI focused on strengthening the interface between science and policy, approving the 2015-2016 operational budget and annual plan, and establishing a working group for open science. Member countries reported on national climate communications and adaptation plans, while the IAI leadership emphasized the need to move from ad hoc scientific communication to a systematic approach for decision-makers. The conference also addressed financial challenges, noting unpaid contributions from Brazil and Mexico, and discussed strategic partnerships with Future Earth and FAPESP.

The IAI Science Advisory Committee (SAC) is seeking nominations for two new members to be elected at the June 2015 CoP meeting in Lima, as the terms for Carolina Susana Vera and Harold A Mooney are expiring. The SAC specifies a need for expertise in 'Climate Change' and 'Biodiversity-Ecological Diversity and Ecosystem Valuation', while emphasizing the importance of academic excellence, international project management experience, and geographic, gender, and ethnic balance.

The document outlines a three-tier governance structure for Future Earth consisting of National Committees, Regional Committees, and Regional Centres. It defines the roles, eligibility criteria, and operational functions of these entities to ensure that regional science priorities and stakeholder needs are reflected in the global agenda. The paper identifies five initial world regions and emphasizes the need for flexibility, inclusivity, and transdisciplinary collaboration to implement solution-oriented research for sustainability.

The report analyzes how the IAI transitioned its funding programs from a natural-science focus to a more interdisciplinary approach. It finds that simply changing funding requirements is insufficient; instead, a 'bundled' approach—including experiential learning, networking, mentorship, and connecting research to tangible problems—is necessary to overcome academic incentives that favor disciplinary work. The study highlights a significant increase in social science integration and South-South collaboration across its Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) and Small Grants Program on the Human Dimensions (SGP-HD).

The IAI activities plan for 2015-2016 focuses on completing a tripartite institutional structure across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, while advancing interdisciplinary research and capacity building. Key initiatives include a small grants call on ecosystem services in adaptation, professional development seminars in Colombia and Panama, and the development of four global environmental change seminars for 2016-2018. The institute also continues its engagement with IPBES and the UNFCCC SBSTA process.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Sao Paulo State Foundation (FAPESP) signed a ten-year agreement in October 2014. FAPESP becomes an Associate of the IAI to collaborate on global change research, capacity building, and the science-policy interface across the Americas. The agreement emphasizes open data, joint funding mechanisms, and the support of young scientists, overseen by a Joint Steering Committee.

The 38th Meeting of the IAI Executive Council focused on establishing the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), drafting a statement on climate change adaptation for the UNFCCC COP 20, and adopting Research Gate to enhance scientific collaboration. The Council also elected a new leadership board and reviewed actions from previous meetings.

The action list from the 38th Meeting of the IAI Executive Council details administrative decisions, the election of the Bureau, and the establishment of a committee to draft a pronouncement on adaptation for the UNFCCC CoP-20.

The document lists the actions and decisions taken during the 38th Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on August 14, 2014, in Mexico City.

This document is a list of participants for the 38th Executive Council Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, held on August 14, 2014, in Mexico City, Mexico.

The document is a participant list for the 22nd Conference of the Parties, held in Mexico City on August 13 and 14, 2014. It details the names, affiliations, and contact information of representatives from various countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and the USA, as well as observers from organizations such as UNESCO, CEPAL, and the IAI Directorate.

The report details the transition of the IAI to a tripartite structure. The Executive Directorate of Integrated Operations and Finance is operational in Montevideo, Uruguay, following a host country agreement that entered into force on December 13, 2013. The Science-Policy Liaison Directorate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has renovated office space at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, though staffing for the Director and assistants has faced delays. The Science Development Directorate in São José dos Campos, Brazil, remains under negotiation as the IAI seeks to ensure the host country agreement refers to the IAI as a whole rather than just the specific directorate to avoid operational difficulties.

The IAI Executive Committee has established an ad hoc committee to draft terms of reference for a new Advisory Committee on Science-Policy Liaison, aimed at integrating global change science into decision-making. The EC is also exploring strategies to increase member country involvement and funding, including reviewing the IAI Strategic Plan. Additionally, the IAI participated in the ENSOCIO-LA consortium to foster EU-Latin American cooperation on climate change and resource efficiency, and co-organized a World Climate Research Program (WCRP) conference in Montevideo to define a regional research agenda for climate services.

The Implementation Committee reports on the transition to a tripartite structure for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). The Integrated Operations and Finance Directorate in Montevideo, Uruguay, is largely operational following the ratification of its host country agreement on December 13, 2013. The Science-Policy Liaison Directorate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has renovated office space, though staffing for the Director and Assistant Director positions has been delayed by administrative and diploma legalization issues. The establishment of the Science Development Directorate in São José dos Campos, Brazil, remains pending due to ongoing negotiations over the host country agreement, specifically regarding whether the agreement should cover the IAI as a whole or only the specific directorate.

The IAI Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) report for 2013-2014 details the implementation of the CRN3 project process, including 17 international teams and various integration projects. The SAC is promoting a shift toward interdisciplinarity between human and natural sciences in global change research, emphasizing co-designed research and capacity building. Key strategic activities include evaluating science impact beyond publishing, exploring roles within Future Earth and IPBES, and developing a framework for a Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). The report also highlights a need for the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to address SAC membership vacancies to maintain the required 10-member count.

The SAC report for 2013-2014 details the implementation of the CRN3 project, the promotion of interdisciplinary research between social and natural sciences, and the evaluation of scientific impact. It outlines strategic goals including the integration of Future Earth as an organizing theme, the development of capacity-building programs, and the need to involve indigenous peoples of the Americas in regional scientific efforts.

The IAI is implementing a tripartite structure with headquarters operations moving to Montevideo and a strategic office in Buenos Aires. Research priorities include monitoring CRN3 projects, finalizing a MacArthur Foundation project on tropical Andean biodiversity, and leading the Latin American network for Future Earth. Capacity building includes a modeling event in Panama City and the management of seed grants. Policy engagement focuses on contributions to IPBES, the UNFCCC's SBSTA, and planned events for the UNFCCC COP in Lima regarding environmental monitoring and global change governance.