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This research paper reviews 21 examples of locally led adaptation (LLA) interventions across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Caribbean and Latin America. It provides practical recommendations for funders and governments to ensure local organizations and communities have equitable access to climate finance and decision-making power to address climate risks and historical power imbalances.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute outlines lessons for national institutions in developing countries seeking "direct access" to climate finance from multilateral funds like the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It provides guidance on planning for engagement, navigating the accreditation process, and designing and implementing projects to enhance national ownership and reduce transaction costs.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute proposes a practical approach for development finance institutions (DFIs) to align their indirect investments, made through financial intermediaries, with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute advocates for a systemic shift in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) to support locally led adaptation (LLA). It argues that traditional MEL must be replaced by processes that are locally led, context-aware, and adaptive to better balance power dynamics and reflect the priorities of those most affected by climate change.

This report by the World Resources Institute assesses the United States' Fast-Start Finance (FSF) contribution for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, evaluating its composition, transparency, and alignment with international pledges to mobilize $30 billion for developing countries.

This guide from the World Resources Institute explains the importance and methodologies of estimating the costs of implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It outlines how costing helps governments identify financing gaps, select financial instruments, and integrate climate commitments into national fiscal policies, while highlighting the challenges of data gaps and uncertainty.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Climate Analytics evaluates how the climate commitments of G20 countries influence the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C, concluding that while current pledges are insufficient, ambitious G20 action could limit warming to 1.7°C.

This research paper examines the role of local governments in locally led adaptation (LLA), focusing on the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) mechanism. Using case studies from Niger, Lesotho, and Cambodia, the paper argues that local governments are underutilized actors capable of mediating between national authorities and communities to manage climate finance and institutionalize adaptation within existing government structures.

The World Resources Institute report summarizes the China-U.S. High-Level Dialogue on Energy and Climate Change held in Beijing on April 25-26, 2024. The dialogue served as a space for experts to discuss power sector decarbonization, methane mitigation, energy efficiency, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), climate finance, and trade. The report outlines domestic policy updates from both nations, identifies specific areas for future bilateral collaboration, and discusses preparations for COP 29 and COP 30.

This briefing document from the World Resources Institute examines the current state of climate finance, carbon pricing, and data disclosure in the United States and China, while identifying potential areas for bilateral cooperation.

This briefing paper by the World Resources Institute analyzes the state of climate finance, carbon pricing, and data disclosure in the United States and China. It details the U.S. reliance on subnational carbon markets and the SEC's evolving disclosure rules, alongside China's implementation of the world's largest emissions trading scheme (ETS) and its 'South-South' finance mechanism. The document concludes by suggesting areas for bilateral cooperation, specifically in sustainable procurement, data standards, and subnational carbon market exchanges.

This working paper, produced by the Agreement on Climate Transformation 2015 (ACT 2015) consortium, proposes a framework for the 2015 Paris Agreement. It suggests a structure based on two long-term goals, three continuous improvement cycles (mitigation, adaptation, and support), and a foundation of transparency and accountability to drive a global transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.

This briefing summarizes the third session of a Global Dialogue on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, focusing on energy transitions and industry bailouts. The document outlines strategies to ensure economic recovery is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, emphasizing the need to prioritize green technologies over fossil fuels.

This fact sheet describes the China Energy Efficiency Financing project by the World Resources Institute (WRI), which aims to overcome financing barriers for energy efficiency (EE) projects in China's industrial sector. The project focuses on building industrial capacity to identify financeable projects and implementing a portfolio-based financing model, starting in Shanghai, to help the country meet its carbon and energy intensity reduction goals.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute explains the purpose and function of the Paris Rulebook, which consists of implementation guidelines designed to operationalize the Paris Agreement. It details how the Rulebook establishes a cycle of planning, implementing, and reviewing national climate actions to achieve global temperature and resilience goals.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute explains the purpose and components of the Paris Rulebook, which provides the operational guidelines for implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change. It details the mechanisms for national climate planning, transparency in reporting, and the processes for reviewing individual and collective progress to ensure global climate goals are met.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute explains the purpose and function of the 'Paris Rulebook,' the implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement on climate change. It details how the Rulebook transforms the high-level goals of the Agreement into a functional system for national planning, implementation, and international review, with a focus on the negotiations taking place at COP24 in Katowice, Poland.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute provides a series of frequently asked questions regarding Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) and its guiding principles. It defines LLA as the devolution of authority and resources to local actors—including marginalized groups—to ensure they have agency over the design and delivery of climate adaptation, rather than simply being targets of benefits. The document outlines the development of the 8 LLA Principles, the call for increased climate finance directed to local levels, and the importance of grant-based funding to support public goods and low-income communities.

This working paper by the World Resources Institute evaluates the Green Climate Fund's (GCF) 'direct access' modality, which allows institutions in developing countries to receive funding without international intermediaries. While 62 developing country institutions were accredited as of November 2020, 67 percent of them had not yet received project approval. The paper analyzes four support mechanisms—the Readiness Programme, Project Preparation Facility, Simplified Approval Process, and Enhancing Direct Access pilot—finding that high administrative burdens, funding gaps for concept notes, and rigid eligibility criteria hinder smaller institutions from accessing climate finance.

This guide by the World Resources Institute explains the 'Paris Rulebook,' the implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement adopted largely at COP24 in Katowice, Poland. It details the 'plan-implement-review' cycle, including the submission of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the enhanced transparency framework, and the global stocktake process to increase climate ambition over time.