Search Climate Insights Directory

The WRI Europe Strategy 2023-27 outlines the World Resources Institute's approach to supporting the energy and climate transition in Europe and leveraging the region's influence globally. The strategy positions the Europe office as an 'enabler' that connects global programs to European funding, regulation, and research, while simultaneously working to reduce Europe's own ecological footprint through targeted interventions in food, land, water, energy, and urban systems.

This report analyzes the global health and economic burden of red and processed meat consumption, finding that in 2021, these foods caused over 600,000 deaths and millions of years of healthy life lost. It highlights that wealthy nations in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania face the highest disease burdens and often spend heavily on treating preventable conditions rather than investing in prevention. The report argues that dietary interventions, such as reducing meat intake, could save billions of dollars in healthcare costs—for example, a 30% reduction in processed meat burden could save the US USD 21 billion annually—and significantly reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.