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This report analyzes electricity transmission challenges for renewable energy in the EU, China, and the US. It identifies that while transmission is critical for managing the intermittency and remote location of renewables, progress is hindered by fragmented governance, cost-allocation disputes, and tensions between national and local interests. China is investing heavily in ultra high voltage (UHV) infrastructure, the EU is utilizing Directives to integrate member-state grids, and the US struggles with a highly localized, state-led planning approach.

This report by the World Resources Institute analyzes material flow datasets across four U.S. economic sectors—metals and minerals, nonrenewable organic materials, agriculture, and forestry—to address the lack of information in conventional economic accounts regarding the long-term societal costs of environmental degradation.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute examines the increase in heavy precipitation in the United States since the late 1950s, attributing the trend to human-caused climate change and detailing the resulting impacts on infrastructure, health, and agriculture.

This research paper outlines how U.S. local governments, such as cities and counties, can engage in wholesale energy markets to remove barriers to renewable energy and achieve decarbonization goals.

The 2012 fact sheet reports that the United States had its hottest year on record and that 2011 and 2012 saw the highest number of billion-dollar extreme weather events in history. It highlights the impact of Hurricane Sandy on New York and New Jersey, noting nearly $80 billion in losses, and notes a century-long 8-inch rise in global sea levels.

This research paper examines the drivers for U.S. commercial and industrial customers seeking renewable energy and proposes the use of green tariffs as a mechanism for traditional utilities to compete with third-party providers while maintaining regulatory compliance.

This testimony by Rob Bradley, Director of the International Climate Policy Initiative at the World Resources Institute, argues that the United States has a critical opportunity to resume international leadership on climate change. Bradley asserts that the global landscape has shifted since the Kyoto Protocol, with major developing nations now proposing their own mitigation plans and the Bali Action Plan providing a framework for inclusive, verifiable commitments from both developed and developing countries. He emphasizes the synergy between climate action and economic growth, highlighting 'green' stimulus packages as a means to create jobs and stimulate recovery following the financial crisis.

This research paper reviews utility program designs in the United States aimed at matching electric vehicle (EV) demand with renewable energy, comparing traditional annual procurement with time- and location-based strategies to optimize grid benefits.

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.

A rapid umbrella review finds that current evidence does not justify large-scale silvopasture adoption as a major U.S. climate mitigation strategy. While it can increase tree biomass carbon, it often reduces livestock and forage productivity, risking land-use leakage that could offset climate benefits. Evidence for soil carbon gains is limited, though some resilience and environmental co-benefits were noted.

This working paper by the World Resources Institute examines the structure and value chains of the global wind power industry, arguing that global integration through cross-border investment and trade can reduce technology costs and foster innovation while maintaining local job creation.

This report analyzes the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) NOx Budget Program to provide recommendations for U.S. states designing market-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trading systems.

Testimony by James Bradbury of the World Resources Institute arguing that reducing upstream methane leakage is critical for U.S. GHG goals and warning that LNG exports will likely increase domestic emissions. He recommends expanded DOE research, updated emissions factors, funding for STRONGER, EPA support for states, and the adoption of a carbon price or clean energy standard.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute describes the role of United States forests as a carbon sink in 2006, noting their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and their impact on total national greenhouse gas emissions.

An infographic by the World Resources Institute detailing how U.S. companies are scaling up renewable energy use and reducing energy demand to achieve sustainability goals and cost savings.

A World Resources Institute (WRI) technical note analyzing the clean energy trajectories of major greenhouse gas emitters and the contents of intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) submitted to the United Nations.

This analysis assesses greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions under Title III of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA), comparing three scenarios based on pollution caps, complementary requirements, and additional potential reductions against 2005 levels.

This report by the World Resources Institute analyzes potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in the United States through 2030 based on existing federal authorities and announced state actions. It concludes that while ambitious use of these tools can lead to significant reductions, they are insufficient to meet the Copenhagen pledge or the IPCC's mid-century targets for limiting global temperature increases.

The briefing argues that the US requires energy storage lasting days or weeks to achieve deep decarbonization, as current technologies only provide hours of capacity. It suggests that while pumped hydro and compressed air could be extended to days, less mature technologies like hydrogen are needed for seasonal storage. The document calls for policymakers to support innovation and new financing and procurement models to enable the adoption of long-duration storage.

This report documents three sustainability projects undertaken by the World Resources Institute (WRI) between 2017 and 2018, focusing on waste reduction, bike commuting, and endowment investments, while detailing WRI's broader efforts to track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.