START is the global change SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training, a non-governmental research organization. We assist developing countries in building the expertise and knowledge needed to explore the drivers of and solutions to global and regional environmental change. Our goal is to reduce vulnerability through informed decision-making.

Climate change, land and ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss are all drivers of global environmental change. Developing regions are not only particularly vulnerable to adverse impacts of these changes, but have very limited access to scientific and technical knowledge to assist in formulating solutions. This is the gap START seeks to fill.

Our Mission

• To develop regional networks of collaborating scientists and institutions that assess the causes and impacts of global environmental change and provide relevant information to policymakers and governments to assist in formulating adaptation strategies,
• To enhance scientific capacity in developing countries by strengthening and connecting existing institutions, training global change scientists, and providing them with better access to data, research, and communication technology skills,
• To secure resources that will augment existing capabilities and actions on global environmental change in developing countries.

Our Achievements

Together with its partners, START has:

• Established a network of regional science committees and research centers for global change research and capacity building in Africa, Asia and the Pacific;
• Leveraged substantial resources to strengthen the START network and support its programs;
• Involved over 1000 developing-country scientists in global change research and training;
• Developed programs to provide fellowships and other research opportunities to young scientists from Africa and Asia;
• Published hundreds of peer-reviewed papers in journals, and also published several books on global environmental change; and
• Involved over 100 of its Fellows as authors in the IPCC 4th Assessment, the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment, and the International Assessment of Agricultural Science & Technology for Development.

Where We Work

START’s work spans Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, where it has a total of six regional centers and three regional nodes. These institutions promote regional research cooperation and provide a framework that supports assessments of relevance to policy-makers. START’s activities within each region are overseen by regional committees composed of scientists and members of national and regional bodies. The International START Secretariat, located in Washington, DC, coordinates START programs and activities.