Search Climate Insights Directory

This study analyzes 162 cases from 2015–2025 to map 11 types of financial instruments used for climate adaptation. It finds that while blended finance is most common globally, high-income countries rely more on grants. The majority of financing (64%) targets risk reduction over risk management, and 75% of instruments are pooled through programs or funds rather than being country-specific.

This report examines the application of decentralized solar energy solutions to provide reliable electricity to community facilities in climate-vulnerable areas of India, emphasizing the need for climate-resilient design and implementation models.

This WRI and WCCI working paper identifies seven enabling factors to integrate gender equity into locally led adaptation (LLA) processes, specifically within Africa's agricultural sector. It argues for a shift toward gender-transformative activities that challenge harmful social norms and power dynamics to ensure long-term climate resilience and gender equality.

This research paper examines how Fiji, Ghana, and Benin are integrating climate change adaptation into their health systems. It identifies key enablers such as political leadership and pilot projects, while noting barriers like limited funding and poor data access. The authors recommend immediate 'no-regrets' actions, including staff training and infrastructure improvements, and advocate for cross-sectoral collaboration between health officials and climate planners to build systemic resilience.

This research paper describes the development of the Assessing Climate Change Adaptation Framework (ACCAF) by the World Resources Institute (WRI) to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of the United Nations Capital Development Fund's (UNCDF) Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) mechanism, which provides performance-based grants to local authorities in Least Developed Countries.

This research paper, developed with the Global Resilience Partnership, analyzes whether 67 countries integrated climate adaptation and resilience into their public spending during the COVID-19 recovery process.

This research paper evaluates the decade-long engagement of the WRI India Ross Center for Sustainable Cities in Bengaluru, analyzing the outcomes of its 'deep dive' approach to urban development, mobility, and climate resilience.

This working paper examines the potential for faith-based organizations (FBOs) to reduce food loss and waste (FLW) in Rwanda, noting that while FBOs manage a significant portion of the country's health and education infrastructure, few have formal FLW programs due to resource and knowledge gaps.

This working paper reviews 100 national policies, programs, and regulations in Kenya, Uganda, and India to evaluate how electricity infrastructure is integrated into agrifood systems to support mechanization, water access, and postharvest processing.

This working paper by the World Resources Institute examines literature on locally led climate adaptation to identify program designs and characteristics that catalyze accelerated action and support. It highlights a significant gap between the recognized need for participatory adaptation and the actual distribution of decision-making power and finance to local actors.

This working paper proposes using the Water-Energy-Food Nexus as a framework to implement Colombia's 2024 Energy Communities Strategy. The model aims to transition the country toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient energy system by integrating energy production with water and food security to reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events.

This research paper examines how existing nature-based solutions (NBS) initiatives can better integrate and scale climate adaptation to protect vulnerable populations and enhance ecosystem health.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute provides guidance for Ethiopian policymakers to align economic development goals with water availability and climate risks, arguing that current national planning does not sufficiently account for water resource requirements or vulnerability to climate shocks.

This WRI working paper analyzes the 'triple dividend of resilience' (TDR) framework for climate change adaptation investments, arguing that benefits often exceed traditional 'avoided loss' calculations. The paper emphasizes that economic, social, and environmental benefits frequently accrue regardless of whether a disaster occurs, which can improve benefit-cost ratios and facilitate increased financing for adaptation in developing countries.

This briefing from the World Resources Institute outlines a project lifecycle approach to electrifying healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries, advocating for decentralized renewable energy (DRE) over costly and polluting diesel generators.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) provides an analysis of global adaptation finance based on the Global Landscape of Climate Finance. It examines the sources, instruments, and sectoral distribution of adaptation funding for 2015-2016, identifies significant data gaps in private and domestic public sector reporting, and offers recommendations to improve tracking methodologies to better align investments with climate vulnerabilities.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute outlines seven enabling principles for achieving water security and climate-resilient development, based on the IPCC Working Group II 2022 report, and introduces the Adaptation Action Coalition (AAC).

This World Resources Institute fact sheet describes the impact of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) 'direct pay' (elective pay) provision, which allows tax-exempt entities to receive clean energy tax credits as cash payments. It highlights how local governments, nonprofits, and tribal nations use these funds to finance electric vehicles, solar arrays, and infrastructure, providing examples from cities such as Philadelphia, Chattanooga, and Pateros.

The Joint Benefits Authority (JBA) is a collaborative tool designed for city agencies and local communities to jointly finance and deliver resilient, transformative infrastructure. By shifting away from a 'business-as-usual' approach where agencies work in silos, the JBA integrates capital planning and funding to scale natural infrastructure, enhance climate resilience, and advance social equity through direct community leadership in project implementation.

The Joint Benefits Authority (JBA) is a proposed governance and finance tool designed to integrate multiple city departments and community partners to deliver district-scale, resilient infrastructure. Based on the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) model, the JBA aims to overcome siloed municipal operations and funding gaps to implement nature-based solutions that address climate change and social equity in underserved neighborhoods.