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The World Resources Institute (WRI) reported total assets of $533,266,191 as of September 30, 2023, an increase from $384,549,025 in 2022. The organization's operating revenues for the 2023 fiscal year totaled $250,310,049, with $235,185,176 in operating expenses. An independent audit by Grant Thornton LLP issued an unmodified opinion on the financial statements and compliance for major federal programs, although a significant deficiency was identified regarding the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). WRI's programmatic work is organized across seven critical issues, including climate, energy, and forests, with a global presence including subsidiaries and offices in India, Europe, Colombia, Kenya, China, and Ethiopia.

The document analyzes Gogoro's transition from a startup to a global provider of light EV battery swapping. It attributes the company's success to three system-level innovations: the creation of a swappable battery standard adopted by multiple manufacturers, the implementation of new business models such as battery-as-a-service and virtual power plants, and the development of a physical 'swap-and-go' platform. The case study highlights Gogoro's role as a catalyst in Taiwan, where its batteries power 90 percent of electric scooters, and its strategic expansion into markets like India, South Korea, and the Philippines.

The document advocates for a shift from extractive-centered development to 'anticipatory governance' for critical minerals in the SADC region. It proposes transitioning to a 'Resource Balanced Economy' (RBE) that accounts for energy constraints and resource flows, rather than relying on traditional linear or circular economy models. The brief emphasizes the need for a new social contract to protect workers against automation, financial innovations to reduce risk ratings and currency devaluation, and a 'bioregional' approach to value chains to prevent regional fragmentation and ensure fair benefit distribution among member states.

The Great Lakes region is well-positioned for the EV transition due to its automotive history and R&D capacity, but faces competition from the 'Battery Belt' in the Deep South. While the region has significant midstream and downstream capacity, it lacks comprehensive state-level industrial strategies, particularly regarding battery end-of-life mandates and recycling incentives. The document argues that states must coordinate on strategic roadmaps, workforce retraining, and clean energy infrastructure to avoid economic disruption in 'powertrain communities' specialized in internal combustion engine (ICE) components.

The report outlines a strategy for India to secure a responsible lithium supply chain to avoid energy and economic security risks. It highlights lithium's status as a critical mineral globally and in India, noting that while other major economies have secured resources through overseas investments and refining capabilities, Indian companies have had a negligible role. The document warns that failure to act could hinder India's ability to build a Li-ion battery manufacturing base and stymie the growth of electric vehicles and stationary storage.

A group of scientists requests increased public funding for US agricultural research to address the climate crisis, noting that inflation-adjusted investments have fallen by one-third since 2002. They argue that public R&D is essential for developing tools to mitigate climate change and improve food security, as private sector research often ignores non-commercial environmental benefits. The letter specifically calls for more resources for USDA agencies and programs such as the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), and research into sustainable nutrition and farmworker health.

China's solar panel exports grew by 34% in the first half of 2023, reaching 114 GW. While manufacturing capacity is sufficient to meet 1.5C pathway goals, bottlenecks in installation and grid integration are leading to increased stockpiles, particularly in Europe.

Cryptocurrency mining in Texas has grown rapidly, with five of the ten largest Bitcoin mines located in the state as of April 2023. These operations consume vast amounts of energy, which the document claims drives up electricity prices for consumers and increases emissions from gas and coal plants. The report highlights how miners profit from Texas's deregulated energy market and ERCOT's demand-response programs, often receiving subsidies and tax exemptions while providing few local jobs. Additionally, the document notes negative local impacts, including significant noise pollution and the diversion of water resources in drought-stricken areas.

The document criticizes the current practices of major European reinsurers during the Rendez-Vous de Septembre in Monte-Carlo, noting that while natural disasters cost nearly US $50 billion in early 2023, reinsurance treaties—which comprise over 70% of turnover—remain largely exempt from fossil fuel exclusion policies. It argues that increasing treaty rates is an unsustainable response to climate risk and calls for the exclusion of new coal, oil, and gas projects to prevent global warming exceeding 1.5°C.

The document examines the complex intersection of political instability, economic crisis, and energy transition in Nigeria. It highlights the tension between Nigeria's desire to leverage fossil fuels for economic diversification and the global shift by financing partners toward renewables. The author analyzes the inefficiencies of the power sector, using the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company as a case study, and proposes three policy options for the Tinubu administration to integrate energy transition into national development. It concludes that securing international capital requires aligning domestic policies with the strict de-fossilization requirements of partners like the EU and USA, while exploring innovative support for subnational entities and traditional rulers.

The report evaluates the ESG implementation of Chinese-financed infrastructure projects in Africa, analyzing five case studies across Egypt, Nigeria, and Ethiopia in the energy and industrial park sectors. While Chinese financing is noted for contributing to economic growth and local livelihoods, it is also associated with risks of environmental degradation and social and governance concerns. The study specifically examines compliance with local requirements and China's Traffic Light System under the Green Development Guidance for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.

Analysis of G20 coal power emissions reveals that while 12 of 20 economies saw per capita declines since 2015, Australia and South Korea remain the top polluters, each emitting more than triple the global average. In contrast, emerging economies like Indonesia, Türkiye, China, and India experienced increases in per capita emissions as electricity demand outpaced renewable growth. The G20's combined per capita emissions rose slightly from 1.5 to 1.6 tonnes of CO2 between 2015 and 2022, underscoring a slow overall transition despite individual national progress.

The 2023 Clean Air NDC Scorecard reveals a significant gap in the integration of air quality and health into national climate plans, with an average score of 3.5/15 across 170 analysed NDCs. Low- and middle-income countries generally outperform high-income countries, with Colombia and Mali achieving the highest scores (12/15). Conversely, several high-emitting nations, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, scored 0/15. The analysis highlights a critical disconnect in countries with high air pollution mortality, such as North Korea and the Solomon Islands, where NDCs fail to recognise the links between climate action and healthy air.

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, spanning from Afghanistan to Myanmar, faces severe threats from cascading climate risks that propagate across national borders. The brief asserts that local and national adaptation efforts are insufficient and proposes a regional cooperation mechanism involving state and non-state actors. This mechanism would aim to reduce the costs of climate action, overcome resource constraints, and enhance climate diplomacy through four priority areas: research and knowledge exchange, governance and policy support, diplomacy and coalition building, and implementation and finance.

The cement industry accounts for approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions and faces significant barriers to decarbonisation due to high capital intensity and the nature of process emissions. The report argues that achieving net-zero by 2050 requires a combination of technological shifts—such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), alternative binders, and fuel substitution—and robust policy support. Key policy recommendations include the implementation of carbon contracts for difference (CCfDs), green public procurement, and carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) to prevent carbon leakage. Financial investment needs are estimated to reach USD 70 billion annually between 2030 and 2040, which the report suggests could be unlocked through the sustainable debt market and science-based certification standards.

The report estimates that annual climate finance needs will rise to USD 6.2 trillion by 2030 and USD 7.3 trillion by 2050 to achieve Net Zero, while tracked global finance only surpassed USD 1 trillion for the first time in 2022. Transport and energy systems represent the largest investment needs, requiring at least USD 3.2 trillion and USD 2.1 trillion annually, respectively. The study highlights a significant disparity in finance distribution, with 75% of global spend concentrated in East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and North America. It argues that public finance must act as a catalyst to mobilize private capital, particularly in developing economies where the cost of capital is significantly higher. While private sector commitments are growing—such as the 30 largest banks pledging USD 870 billion annually—the report notes that asset managers and owners have been slower to set quantifiable targets. Key recommendations include aligning stakeholder policies, supporting non-commercially viable technologies like CCUS and green hydrogen, and implementing just transition frameworks.

Global power sector emissions plateaued in the first half of 2023, increasing by only 0.2%. While wind and solar generation grew and increased their share of the global power mix, a historic decline in hydropower due to droughts—particularly in China—prevented a more significant emissions drop. Low electricity demand in high-income economies further suppressed emissions growth.

The report finds that oil- and gas-fired power plants in development increased by 13% in the last year to 783 GW, with Asia accounting for nearly two-thirds of this capacity. If built, these projects would cost an estimated US$611 billion and generate 41,239 million tonnes of CO2e lifetime emissions. The analysis highlights that China leads global development, while the United States possesses the largest existing capacity. The report further challenges the reliability of fossil fuels during extreme weather and notes that renewables with storage are now cheaper than gas-fired power in many regions, including China.

The report examines the global sugar cane sector, highlighting the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) in promoting resilience and sustainability. It analyzes how climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and government interventions distort market prices and affect the livelihoods of millions of smallholders. The document provides a detailed look at the value chain, where refiners and traders capture the most value, and suggests pathways for improving farmer incomes through diversification, better policy frameworks, and the expansion of sustainable sourcing.

The report analyzes India's vulnerability in the lithium supply chain, characterized by high import dependence and geographical concentration of production and processing in China. It forecasts a significant surge in lithium demand between 2022 and 2030, driven primarily by electric vehicles and grid storage. To mitigate risks, the report recommends a multi-pronged strategy: streamlining domestic exploration in states like Jammu and Kashmir, forming strategic partnerships with mineral-rich nations such as Australia and Argentina, leveraging state-owned enterprises like KABIL to support private sector offtake, and incentivizing the development of domestic lithium refineries and recycling infrastructure.