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This working paper examines the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in creating transparent and accountable climate adaptation finance systems, drawing on experiences from Ethiopia, Uganda, Bangladesh, Kenya, and the Philippines to propose a framework for increasing community inclusion in decision-making.

This research paper examines the role of local financial institutions (LFIs) in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in scaling up financing for the Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) sector. It identifies significant demand for PURE technologies, particularly in agriculture, but notes that high up-front costs and LFI constraints—such as limited staff capacity and credit risks—hinder adoption. The paper suggests that LFIs can expand lending through green bonds, climate fund accreditation, and by increasing direct lending from their own balance sheets, supported by blended finance and de-risking instruments from development partners.

This document is a testimony provided by Dr. Jonathan Pershing, Director of the Climate, Energy and Pollution Program at the World Resources Institute, to the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe. Pershing argues for an integrated policy framework that addresses the intersection of energy security and climate change, asserting that while some energy solutions create trade-offs, others—such as energy efficiency and renewables—provide mutual benefits for both security and the environment.

This policy note from the World Resources Institute outlines the causes and drivers of eutrophication, noting a significant increase in coastal dead zones and the primary role of human activities—specifically wastewater, agriculture, and fossil fuel combustion—in nutrient pollution.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute examines the disconnect between the national-level implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement (NDCs). Based on a survey of 90 countries and detailed case studies of 11 countries and the European Union, the paper argues that a 'siloed approach' to these agendas hinders progress. It proposes five core areas for integration: coordinating institutions, aligning targets, joint policy mainstreaming, optimizing financial resources, and creating mutually reinforcing monitoring frameworks. The study concludes that an integrated approach reduces transaction costs, enhances policy coherence, and fosters 'win-win solutions' for climate resilience and sustainable development.

This guide details the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory methodology used by the World Resources Institute (WRI), covering the reporting period from Fiscal Year 2010 to 2021. It outlines the organizational boundaries, operational scopes, and specific calculation methods for direct and indirect emissions in accordance with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standards.

This report by the World Resources Institute examines the economic and structural challenges of transitioning to green hydrogen-based fertilizer production in Kenya, highlighting the current cost gap compared to conventional alternatives.

This World Resources Institute working paper outlines eight policy pathways to achieve zero carbon buildings (ZCBs) by combining energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon offsets. It emphasizes that cities will lead this transition and that ZCBs are attainable regardless of a country's wealth or development status, citing feasibility studies and consultations in India, China, Mexico, and Kenya.

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 research paper examines how Makueni County, Kenya, can unlock public finance for clean energy by integrating energy planning into development budgets. It identifies systemic barriers—such as siloed departmental planning and coordination gaps between subnational and national governments—that hinder the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure for health, agriculture, and water systems.

This report by the World Resources Institute examines food loss and waste (FLW) within the maize, potato, fresh fruits, and fish value chains in Kenya. It identifies the economic, social, and environmental impacts of FLW and advocates for a "Target-Measure-Act" approach to halve food loss and waste by 2030.

This briefing argues that scaling PAYG energy access in Kenya and Tanzania requires approximately one billion dollars and a shift toward local currency financing. It recommends that international DFIs and donors use credit guarantees and 'fund of funds' to encourage local commercial banks to lend to the sector, thereby reducing the current dominance of foreign-owned companies and lowering barriers for local entrepreneurs.

A WRI and PS Kenya case study on a pilot project for health-care providers in Kenya finds that successful demand-based energy access requires thorough exploration of user needs in technology, finance, and capacity building.

This fact sheet describes the Solidarity for Environmental Defenders (STAND) initiative, a collaboration between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Alliance for Land, Indigenous, and Environmental Defenders (ALLIED). The initiative aims to support Local Environmental Defenders (LEDs) who face security risks, criminalization, and violence, particularly in countries dependent on extractive industries or large-scale infrastructure.

This WRI fact sheet provides a regional overview of the 'Reefs at Risk Revisited' analysis for the Indian Ocean, detailing the extent of coral reefs, the human populations dependent on them, the prevalence of local and climate-related threats, and the effectiveness of existing marine protected areas.

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 project document outlines a global initiative titled "Strengthening the Blue Economy: the Economic Case, Science-Informed Policy, and Transparency," executed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The project aims to transition governments and businesses toward a sustainable ocean economy by developing a landmark High Level Panel (HLP) report, producing six thematic "Blue Papers," and creating a beta version of an online monitoring system called "Ocean Watch."

The WRI Results Framework is a strategic document that maps the organization's goals, intervention targets, and impact indicators across three primary human systems: food, land & water; energy; and cities. It establishes a hierarchy of results from global targets (by 2030) to WRI intervention targets (by 2027) and specific country-level targets, all designed to improve human well-being, protect nature, and tackle climate change.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) submitted a Form 990 tax return for the 2023 calendar year (ending September 30, 2024), reporting its financial activities, governance, and program accomplishments as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.