Search Climate Insights Directory

A statement by Helen Mountford of the World Resources Institute regarding the conclusion of COP24 in Katowice, Poland, noting that while negotiations were contentious, they established the necessary rulebook and foundations to implement the Paris Agreement.

This briefing outlines the critical climate finance priorities for COP24 in Katowice, Poland, focusing on the scaling of dedicated funds, the establishment of transparency rules for tracking financial flows, and the timeline for setting a post-2025 collective quantified goal.

The document outlines the high stakes for COP24 in Katowice, emphasizing the need for guidelines on the Paris Agreement's implementation, strengthened climate commitments by 2020, and resolved disputes over climate finance. It highlights specific challenges including the lack of uniform frameworks for NDCs, capacity gaps in reporting among developing countries for the Enhanced Transparency Framework, and the need for the Talanoa Dialogue to drive increased climate ambition following the IPCC's 1.5°C report.

A World Resources Institute briefing outlining five critical issues for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board to address at its final 2018 meeting in Bahrain to restore confidence and ensure effective climate finance delivery.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute discusses the 'Leaving No One Behind' (LNB) pledge from the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and its application to climate action. It argues that because the poorest populations are most vulnerable to climate impacts and often excluded from the benefits of low-carbon transitions, climate policies must be intentionally designed to prioritize the most marginalized to avoid exacerbating inequality.

A statement from Dan Lashof, Director of WRI United States, regarding California's SB 100 legislation and a corresponding Executive Order aimed at achieving a carbon-neutral economy and a clean electricity system by 2045.

This case study details the World Resources Institute's (WRI) transition from a traditional financial-return-focused investment strategy to a sustainable investing approach for its $40 million endowment. Starting in 2014, WRI integrated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into its portfolio management, moving from a model of internal board oversight to a partnership with an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO). The document outlines the challenges of ESG data interpretation, the decision to prioritize holistic ESG integration over simple fossil fuel divestment, and the financial results of this shift.

This WRI briefing argues that the distinction between climate adaptation and traditional development is a false dichotomy that hinders the effective use of scarce finance. The authors advocate for 'doing development differently' by integrating a strong climate rationale into all development planning, building national adaptive capacity, and empowering local stakeholders through devolved decision-making to ensure long-term resilience.

A statement from Dan Lashof, WRI United States Director, criticizing the Trump administration's proposal to replace the Clean Power Plan, arguing it will increase emissions, costs, and premature deaths.

This case study describes the use of community radio in Niger to promote farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR), a technique used to restore degraded land by nurturing old tree stumps and roots to improve soil fertility, water availability, and crop yields.

This briefing from the World Resources Institute's Electricity Initiative outlines the need for large corporate energy buyers and utilities to move beyond individual renewable energy projects toward integrated, system-wide low-carbon strategies to achieve cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions.

Opening remarks by World Resources Institute Executive Vice President Manish Bapna at a June 20, 2018, roundtable hosted by the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology regarding climate change science and policy.

Paula Caballero, WRI's Climate Director, assesses the UN climate negotiations in Bonn, noting that while progress was made, significant work remains before COP24 in Katowice, Poland. She emphasizes the need for finalized Paris Agreement guidelines, strengthened national commitments by 2020, and increased support for developing countries.

The document is the 2016 Federal Tax Return (Form 990) for the World Resources Institute (WRI), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. It details the organization's financial status, governance, and program accomplishments for the 2016 calendar year, including its mission to protect the environment and its capacity to provide for current and future generations.

This briefing from the World Resources Institute discusses the necessity of developing a robust 'rulebook' (implementing guidelines) for the Paris Agreement to ensure effective international climate action and to bridge the gap between current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2 degrees C.

Dr. Andrew Steer, President & CEO of the World Resources Institute, critiques President Trump's first State of the Union address for failing to link extreme weather to climate change and for prioritizing fossil fuels over renewable energy markets.

This technical note by the World Resources Institute proposes a three-step methodology to estimate water withdrawal and consumption for thermal power plants in data-scarce regions. The approach integrates the visual identification of cooling and fuel types via satellite imagery with empirical water-use factors. When tested against 200 U.S. power plants, the method demonstrated high precision in identifying technology and fuel types, though it faced more challenges in accurately estimating water demand for specific cooling systems.

This 2018 guide by the World Resources Institute helps businesses navigate the legal requirements for sourcing wood, focusing on the regulatory frameworks of the United States, Australia, and the European Union. It emphasizes that illegal logging drives forest degradation and greenhouse gas emissions, and distinguishes between legal and sustainable sourcing. The guide outlines the role of trade regulations, procurement policies, and certification services in mitigating the risk of illegal timber in supply chains.

This research paper, produced by WRI and UNDP for the Argentine G20 presidency, provides approaches and methodologies for G20 countries to develop long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies tailored to their unique national circumstances.

This research paper examines the "action gap" between national commitments to integrate climate change adaptation into social and economic development and the actual implementation of concrete projects. By analyzing five "early movers"—Afghanistan, Colombia, Germany, India, and Rwanda—the paper identifies critical enabling factors such as political will, legislative mandates, inter-agency coordination, accessible knowledge, and supportive budgetary processes to accelerate the transition from planning to action.