Search Climate Insights Directory

This project utilized a study of the socio-ecological impacts of bioenergy in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Uruguay, and the USA to build interdisciplinary teamwork skills among a group of 18 scientists and students. The initiative resulted in peer-reviewed publications, a free online workshop on transdisciplinary teamwork, and the collection of 1,800 interviews and surveys. The overarching goal is to improve policies for sustainable energy and socioecological resilience by enhancing how interdisciplinary teams address global change problems.

This executive summary describes a meta-analysis of an internationally funded project in Argentina focused on water scarcity and adaptation. The study examines the collaboration between researchers and stakeholders, the role of institutional boundaries, and the challenges of interdisciplinary communication in the context of global change and sustainable development.

This executive summary describes an interdisciplinary project aimed at improving the provision of climate and agricultural information for public decision-makers in Guatemala to better respond to droughts. The project focuses on understanding decision-making processes, evaluating institutional responses through emergency simulations, and developing a platform to empower officials with adapted climate and food security evidence.

This project brief describes a multidisciplinary effort to evaluate marine ecosystem services, specifically the role of phytoplankton, across the Antares network of eight time-series stations in Latin America. The project integrates in situ historical data, remote sensing, and bio-geochemical modeling to monitor phytoplankton populations and their impact on carbon sequestration and fisheries, while developing socio-economic indicators to assess how these services affect human populations and decision-making.

The Bridging ecosystem services and territorial planning (BEST-P) initiative is a research project focused on integrating the concept of Ecosystem Services (ES) into land use and territorial planning across southern South America. The project analyzes the biophysical and human dimensions of landscapes in the Rio de la Plata Grasslands, the Gran Chaco dry-forests, and the Valdivian forests to develop toolboxes for zoning and planning that balance production and conservation.

This executive summary describes a project and the creation of the Nitrogen, Society, and Environment Network (Nnet) to increase knowledge of the continental nitrogen cycle in Latin America. The initiative focuses on measuring biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), atmospheric deposition, and the impacts of human activities—such as soy production, mining, and urbanization—on nitrogen reservoirs and ecosystem biodiversity across several countries.

A case study proposal by the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to evaluate the impact of green spaces on heatstroke-related illnesses in Mexico City, utilizing an open science framework and public consultation to identify vulnerability hotspots.

This executive summary describes a project led by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research to establish the Nitrogen Human Environment Network (Nnet). The project aims to map the nitrogen (N) cycle across Latin America, analyzing the impacts of human activities—such as fertilizer use, soy production, and mining—on ecosystem processes and biodiversity to provide guidelines for regional nitrogen management policies.

This executive summary describes an interdisciplinary project aimed at improving climate information systems to support public decision-making regarding drought response and food security in Guatemala.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and a coalition of signatories urge the Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change to secure an internationally binding plastics treaty that includes mandatory global and national reductions in virgin plastic production.

The UK officially entered a coal-free power era on 1 October 2024 following the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant. This milestone concludes a rapid decline in coal use since 2012, during which power sector emissions fell by 74% and renewable energy generation expanded significantly.

This report by Ember analyzes the impact of India's planned expansion of coal mining on methane emissions. It projects that without mitigation, coal mine methane emissions could more than double by 2029, potentially reaching over 1.67 million tonnes per year. The report proposes a gradual mitigation roadmap to reduce emissions by 35% by 2030, which could save up to $980 million USD by replacing imported gas and significantly reduce short-term climate warming and mining safety risks.

Ember analysis indicates that global solar capacity additions will reach 593 GW in 2024, a 29% increase over 2023. This growth is driven by continued dominance in China and the US, as well as emerging markets like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, significantly exceeding several industry forecasts.

This case study describes the community-led restoration of the Nsongwe River in southern Zambia. After years of degradation and deforestation, a small group of residents began desilting and reforesting the waterway. This effort has since been scaled up through the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas (CAPA) Initiative, a partnership between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and WWF Zambia, supported by Global Affairs Canada, to implement nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.

The report 'Manitoba Builds Green' explores the potential for scaling a deep energy retrofit (DER) industry in Manitoba to decarbonize the building sector, create sustainable employment, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ember outlines four strategic recommendations for the new EU Energy Commissioner to accelerate the decarbonisation of the EU economy, focusing on smart electrification, grid modernization, agri-photovoltaics, and open energy data.

This briefing by Ember analyzes the European Union's grid policy framework, identifying over 80 action points across various legislative and non-legislative files. It evaluates the roles of the European Commission, EU institutions, and Member States in expanding and modernizing electricity infrastructure to support renewables and electrification, while providing three specific recommendations for the new EU Energy Commissioner to improve implementation, financing, and digitalization.

A briefing by Ember outlining four primary policy recommendations for the new EU Energy Commissioner to accelerate the clean energy transition, focusing on grid infrastructure, open data, agri-PV, and smart electrification.

An executive summary by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzing the economic and environmental risks of Senegal's strategy to become a liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, particularly in the context of declining European demand and the availability of renewable energy alternatives.

This technical brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development summarizes key findings on gender, equity, and justice from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (Working Group II) to make technical knowledge more accessible to practitioners, advocates, and educators.