Search Climate Insights Directory

The LUCIA project developed a computational Agent-Based Model (MBA) to simulate malaria transmission by accounting for the interactions between mosquitoes, parasites, and humans. Validated in regions of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru, the model demonstrates that land-use changes—such as deforestation, mining, and agricultural expansion—combined with climate factors like river flooding, increase human vulnerability to malaria. Findings indicate that risk is higher for isolated homes on the outskirts of populations compared to central areas. The research suggests that managing larval breeding sites within 200 meters of populations can eliminate disease transmission, and notes that Ecuador has already modified its mining policies as a result.

The document outlines a 20-hour self-guided virtual course on satellite data for environmental monitoring, specifically targeting researchers in Latin America and the Caribbean. The curriculum focuses on using Google Earth Engine to analyze tropical forests, land cover, and climate extremes through eight technical modules and six sessions. Participants engage in case studies involving deforestation, drought modeling, and air pollution, culminating in a final assessment requiring a 70% score for certification.

The report addresses the disconnect between scientific research and policy implementation regarding biodiversity conservation in the Andean region. It argues that the primary obstacle is not a lack of data, but a failure in communication and the translation of complex science into actionable knowledge. The authors propose a six-stage knowledge management process to develop indicators that are technically valid yet simple and useful for both technical advisors and political decision-makers, supporting both proactive planning and reactive crisis management.

The report identifies critical gaps in the management of climate and biodiversity information in the Andean region, noting that data is often too technical, fragmented, or inaccessible for policymakers. It emphasizes the need to integrate traditional local knowledge with scientific data and proposes the implementation of National Environmental Information Systems to bridge the gap between long-term scientific research and immediate political needs. Using Colombia's SIAC as an example, the authors suggest that framing biodiversity conservation through the lens of ecosystem services and social stability is more effective for securing political support and sustainable development.

The report argues that climate change adaptation in the Tropical Andes requires a shift from fragmented, traditional science to a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that integrates natural and social sciences with traditional knowledge. It identifies key barriers, such as the disconnect between scientists and policymakers, fragmented information, and a lack of institutional support for interdisciplinary work. The document highlights national examples from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, emphasizing the need for government-led funding strategies that prioritize transdisciplinary research to ensure the sustainability of natural resources and human well-being.

The report examines the challenges of fragmented public policies in Latin America and proposes the Ecosystem Approach—a holistic strategy from the Convention on Biological Diversity—as a framework for integrating biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation. It emphasizes the role of territorial planning (Ordenamiento Territorial) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in building resilience, using the Integrated National Adaptation Project (INAP) in Colombia's Chingaza Massif as a practical example of bottom-up implementation.

The report argues that while biodiversity information exists across the Andean countries, it is often inaccessible or poorly standardized for policy use. It highlights the leadership of Colombia and Peru in implementing federated information systems and notes that a significant amount of regional biodiversity data is held in institutions outside the countries of origin. The author identifies critical gaps in functional and relational data—such as the impact of climate change on health and economy—and proposes a regional framework for metadata cataloging, data standardization, and the creation of strategic information products to support decision-making.

The document is an action list from the Sixteenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on December 2-3, 2002, in Panama City, Panama. It records administrative decisions, approvals of financial and working group reports, and the scheduling of future meetings.

The document is an action list from the Seventeenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on June 02-03, 2003, in Boulder, USA. It details administrative decisions, the formation of committees, and recommendations to be forwarded to the Conference of Parties (CoP).

The document is an action list from the Eighteenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on December 4-5, 2003, in San José, Costa Rica. It details administrative approvals, financial decisions, and strategic recommendations to improve member state engagement and organizational structure.

The 25th Meeting of the IAI Executive Council (November 2007) focused on administrative governance, including the extension of the FAC charter to January 2010 and the formation of a group to develop the IAI Strategic Planning. Key member countries involved in strategic planning include Argentina, Mexico, Panama, and the USA. Future meetings were scheduled for the Dominican Republic (February 2008) and Buenos Aires, Argentina (June 2008).

The document outlines the impacts of anthropogenic climate change on water security across the Americas, highlighting increased variability in the water cycle, glacier loss in the Andes, and water scarcity in North America. It emphasizes that current adaptation practices are becoming insufficient and advocates for equitable, inclusive, and transformational policies that integrate indigenous knowledge and intersectoral coordination to reduce future risks.

The document outlines the composition, meeting frequency, and leadership structure of the IAI's EDI Committee, specifying its mandate to monitor the Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy and establish an Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Advisory Committee.

The IAI is implementing a policy to mainstream gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research funding and working environments. Key activities include providing scholarships for early-career professionals from Latin America and the Caribbean, integrating EDI into science diplomacy training, and supporting projects like 'Women as Guardians of Biodiversity and Climate Resilience in Andean Peatlands'. The IAI's framework has also served as the basis for the Belmont Forum's own DEIA policy development.

The Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) is a regional initiative launched by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) to strengthen the interface between science and policy in the Americas. The Center aims to provide government officials and experts with the tools and knowledge necessary to address transboundary global change challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, through multinational collaboration and capacity building.

The Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) is a regional initiative established by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) to foster collaboration between scientists and policymakers across the Americas. Its primary goal is to provide government officials and experts with robust scientific information to address complex, transboundary challenges related to global change, including climate change, biodiversity, and water resources. The SDC aims to act as a regional resource for capacity building, research, and the exchange of best practices in science diplomacy. Its strategic objectives include developing a science diplomacy knowledge center, creating training curricula for policymakers and diplomats, and convening diverse stakeholders to promote evidence-based decision-making and international cooperation.

The report documents the 50th meeting of the Executive Council (EC-50) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held via videoconference on August 19, 2020. The meeting focused on implementing decisions from the 28th Conference of the Parties (CoP-28), including administrative updates to personnel manuals and the establishment of gender policies.

This document is an action list from the second day of the Eighteenth Meeting of the IAI Executive Council (EC), held on December 5, 2003, in San José, Costa Rica. It details approvals for funding, administrative updates, and strategic planning for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI).

The document examines the multifaceted effects of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting vulnerabilities in artisanal fisheries, rural women's livelihoods, education, and public health. It argues that traditional top-down scientific and governance models are insufficient, proposing instead 'co-production' of knowledge and participatory water and land management to build regional resilience.

This conceptual note outlines a three-day workshop scheduled for August 6-8, 2025, in Brasilia, Brazil, focused on introducing scientific diplomacy to promote sustainable development and regional priorities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) ahead of COP30.