What we do
How the Institute for Climate and Society operates
iCS operates through six Areas of Activity to implement its Programmatic Strategy and fulfill its mission of orchestrating the Brazilian climate field, transforming knowledge and resources into structural actions for mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Together, these operational fronts enable the implementation of the programmatic strategy and enhance the efficiency of the Brazilian climate ecosystem’s work.
Areas of Activity
Ecosystem Orchestration and Multisectoral Coordination
Coordinating and organizing sectors and networks, and building coalitions and consensus among civil society, governments, the private sector, the scientific community, and funders to unlock the climate agenda.
Deliveriables
- Promoting structured connections among actors from different sectors.
- Strategically coordinating multisectoral networks, coalitions, and forums, aligning shared goals and timelines.
- Identifying gaps and creating collaborative arrangements within the climate ecosystem.
Resource Mobilization and Strategic Management
Strategically attracting and channeling domestic and international funds, managing a portfolio aligned with Brazil’s climate priorities, and ensuring investment reach and scale by supporting organizations with a territorial presence.
Deliveries
- Expertly channeling resources to a broad and diverse network of Brazilian organizations.
- Managing a strategic portfolio aligned with Brazil’s adaptation goals.
- Driving institutional strengthening and leadership renewal in the Brazilian climate ecosystem.
Fostering innovation at the science-policy-market interface
Mobilizing and coordinating strategic knowledge, translating technical and scientific evidence into inputs applicable to public decisions and to climate-related economic and regulatory agendas.
Deliveries
- Mobilizing applicable technical knowledge and coordinating expert networks to inform policy, finance, and trade.
- Enhancing public discussions with strategic information and relevant trends.
- Translating languages and narratives across science, policy, markets, and territories, reducing asymmetries and unlocking agendas.
- Funding research and innovation within the climate agenda, including through Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) institutions.
Support for the Development and Implementation of Public Policies and Regulations
Technically supporting the development and implementation of climate policies and regulatory frameworks that are resilient to political cycles.
Deliveries
- Unlocking complex agendas by facilitating dialogue and exchanges among different sectors, spheres, and levels of government.
- Providing technical and methodological support for shaping State policies and filling regulatory gaps.
- Providing implementation support in order to change public commitment into tangible operations.
Structuring climate finance mechanisms
Supporting the creation and financial instruments and facilities to direct the flow of public and private capital toward a low-carbon economy.
Deliveries
- Structuring investment theses, vehicles, and financial instruments for decarbonization.
- Setting allocation parameters and criteria for the mobilization of national and international climate capital.
- Opening finance flows and operationalizing economic instruments to help projects achieve scale.
Promoting Brazilian leadership in climate geopolitics
Strengthening climate diplomacy, positioning Brazil as a leading player in multilateral forums and global agendas.
Deliveries
- Providing strategic and technical support in high-level forums, such as the G20, BRICS+, and COP.
- Catalyzing emerging issues and strategic opportunities at the forefront of the global climate agenda.
- Fostering connections and structured cooperation among Global South countries regarding the climate agenda.
Strategy and Objectives
Developed by experts and validated through various levels of a robust governance structure, the 2026–2030 Programmatic Strategy guides operations across five complementary core areas and translates into support for multi-stakeholder projects involving the private and financial sectors, governments, and civil society. The Strategy focuses on actions to accelerate Brazil’s just and sustainable transition by supporting policies, innovation, and social engagement around the climate agenda.
Two sectoral areas—Energy, Industry, and Transport Transition and Land Use—are complemented by key actions in the cross-cutting pillars of Climate Policy and Institutional Framework and Engagement, Changemakers, and Climate Governance, and by Opportunity initiatives related to short-term scenarios.
In addition, guided by a specific Work Plan, the iCS is expanding its efforts in adaptation and resilience in response to the accelerating impacts of climate change and the urgent need to prevent more severe future consequences.
In addition, guided by a specific Work Plan, the iCS is expanding its efforts in adaptation and resilience in response to the accelerating impacts of climate change and the urgent need to prevent more severe future consequences.
Land Use
Supporting the transition of the land use sector and the agrifood system toward resilient low-carbon production models.
Action Lines
- Bioeconomy and Forest Restoration
- Agriculture and Food Systems
- Land-Use Emissions
Energy, industrial and transport transition
Promoting the decarbonization of the energy, industry, and transport matrix and systems in a fair, safe, and accessible manner.
Action Lines
- Renewables
- Fossil Fuels
- Just Industrial Transition / Northeast Region
Climate policy and institutional framework
Promoting robust institutional, regulatory, and economic environments for the implementation of evidence-based climate policy and the participation of key stakeholders.
Action Lines
- National Policy
- Subnational Policy
- International Policy
- Economy and Climate
- Legislation and Regulation
Engagement, change makers and climate governance
Promoting narratives and initiatives to drive climate action while reducing inequalities and strengthening territories and communities.
Action Lines
- Strengthening Changemakers
- Climate Governance
- Communication and Mobilization
Oportunidades
Identifying and developing exploration and innovation initiatives—which are therefore temporary in nature—that may complement the other pillars, thus expanding the iCS’s capacity to fulfill its mission.