Search Climate Insights Directory

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute provides context and synthesis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trajectories for the United States, specifically evaluating the feasibility of targets proposed relative to 2005 levels and the role of President Obama's Climate Action Plan.

This working paper by the World Resources Institute, developed with the Open Data Charter and the Inter-American Development Bank, advocates for the adoption of open data strategies to enhance climate action. It outlines the benefits of making climate-related datasets freely available for redistribution and use, drawing on a literature review, expert consultations, and pilot projects conducted in Chile and Uruguay between August 2019 and August 2020.

This policy brief from the World Resources Institute discusses the role of public perception in the deployment of carbon dioxide capture and sequestration (CCS) and suggests strategies for building long-term public support.

This briefing note explores the impact of climate change on U.S. agriculture and the role of the agricultural sector in climate policy, arguing that producers must actively participate in policy dialogues to ensure future legislation serves their best interests.

This briefing from the World Resources Institute outlines policy recommendations for the United States to maintain its leadership in the development and deployment of carbon dioxide removal technologies to complement emissions reductions.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute explores alternatives to absolute emission limits for developing countries, proposing greenhouse gas intensity targets as a way to balance common and differentiated responsibilities while decoupling economic growth from emissions.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute identifies seven organizational, intermediary, and contextual barriers that prevent large U.S. companies (specifically Fortune 500 firms) from advocating for science-based climate policy at the federal level. The author argues that voluntary corporate actions are insufficient to meet the 1.5°C pathway and that corporate climate leadership must include active policy advocacy to generate necessary political capital.

The 'Guide for Responsible Corporate Engagement in Climate Policy' provides a framework for companies to constructively influence climate policy to support a low-carbon economy. Developed through a consultation involving the UN Global Compact and other international organizations, the guide identifies a gap between corporate sustainability commitments and actual government affairs activities, offering a three-step action plan to align corporate influence with climate goals.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute provides recommendations for harmonizing accounting rules for Annex I (developed country) emissions reduction pledges within the UNFCCC's AWG-LCA negotiations track for post-2012 climate policy.

This technical note describes the India Energy Policy Simulator (India EPS), an open-source system dynamics model developed by Energy Innovation LLC and World Resources Institute to assess cross-sectoral climate policy packages for India through 2050.

This report analyzes greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity targets, contrasting them with absolute emissions targets and evaluating their utility as policy instruments for reducing greenhouse gases.

This report from the World Resources Institute introduces a multidimensional framework designed to help investors identify and evaluate the impact of climate change risk on their portfolios, specifically focusing on the competitive dynamics created by greenhouse gas regulation policies.

This report by the World Resources Institute analyzes how the United States can reduce greenhouse gas emissions using existing federal laws and state actions without requiring new legislation from the U.S. Congress.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute presents a 'New Climate Federalism' framework developed through dialogues with U.S. government officials. It outlines a collaborative model where federal, state, and local governments leverage their respective strengths to achieve decarbonization, emphasizing that federal standards should act as a floor rather than a ceiling to allow for more ambitious subnational action.

Dr. Jonathan Pershing of the World Resources Institute provided testimony to the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee supporting the America’s Climate Security Act of 2007 (S. 2191). He argued that the bill's cap-and-trade system would provide a necessary price signal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at modest economic costs while positioning the United States to lead international climate action.

The research paper 'Risky business' by the World Resources Institute outlines three risk-management principles to ensure the stability of the international market for greenhouse gas emissions rights, drawing lessons from the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis to avoid similar market failures.

This research paper from the World Resources Institute examines the intersection of climate action and social equity, arguing that while climate measures in key systems offer significant opportunities to reduce inequality, these opportunities are currently underutilized.

This working paper identifies components of smart renewable energy policy for developing countries, which are expected to provide 80% of new global electric generation capacity over the next two decades. It argues that to meet the IEA's '450 scenario', non-OECD nations must increase renewable electricity generation to 46% by 2035. The authors advocate for international donors to move from project-based support to systemic environment-building and define 'smart' policy as cost-effective, transparent, and investment-friendly.

Testimony by Jonathan Pershing to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee regarding the necessity of technological shifts, a diversified portfolio of mitigation options, and government intervention to address global climate change.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute examines how varying international climate policies and the imposition of costs on greenhouse gas emissions affect trade competitiveness, specifically focusing on the risks of industry relocation and emissions leakage.