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This WRI fact sheet provides a regional overview of the 'Reefs at Risk Revisited' analysis for the Middle East, detailing the extent of coral reefs, the human populations dependent on them, the prevalence of local and climate-driven threats, and the current state of conservation efforts.

This WRI fact sheet summarizes the 'Reefs at Risk Revisited' analysis for the Pacific region, detailing the extent of coral reefs, the human populations dependent on them, current local threats, and projected impacts of climate change through 2050.

This conference paper, prepared for a workshop in Abu Dhabi, argues that public climate finance is essential for driving the innovation and technology improvements necessary to limit global warming to 2° Celsius or less.

The World Resources Institute's (WRI) 2011 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Sustainability Report details an 18 percent increase in GHG emissions for fiscal year 2011 (October 2010 to September 2011) compared to 2010, driven by organizational growth. To address this, WRI has established absolute reduction targets for 2020 and a three-part plan focusing on reducing existing emissions, avoiding future emissions during growth, and improving data collection through primary sources and sub-metering.

This technical paper details the modeling methodology used by the World Resources Institute for the 'Reefs at Risk Revisited' analysis. It describes how the project quantified and mapped global threats to coral reefs by integrating over 50 data sources into a geographic information system (GIS) to create indices for local and global pressures, including coastal development, pollution, overfishing, thermal stress, and ocean acidification.

A World Resources Institute working paper analyzing the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), which as of March 2010 had earmarked US$4.35 billion for clean technology in developing countries. The paper emphasizes the need for institutional capacity and governance in project design, using Mexico and South Africa as case studies.

This WRI fact sheet argues that EPA regulations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) will likely drive energy efficiency investments and improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers rather than harming them. It contends that the costs of environmental compliance are relatively low compared to other business expenses and that the initial rollout of GHG rules will affect only a small fraction of facilities.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute examines the need for harmonized accounting rules for developed country (Annex I) emissions reduction pledges in a post-2012 climate agreement. It argues that without consistent rules for greenhouse gas coverage, land use (LULUCF), offsets, and surplus allowances, it will be impossible to accurately assess the ambition of national pledges or track global progress toward temperature targets.

This World Resources Institute fact sheet outlines US federal tax incentives for renewable energy as of September 2010. It details the Production Tax Credit (PTC), which is based on electrical output, and the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which is based on capital investment. It also describes the Treasury cash grant for ITC-eligible projects, the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) for domestic facilities, and depreciation rules like MACRS.

This working paper, produced by the World Resources Institute and the United Nations Development Programme, proposes a framework to scale up local ecosystem-based initiatives to combat poverty, ecosystem decline, and climate change in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This 2010 WRI policy brief argues that while China has strong political will and some applicable laws to support Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), it lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework for geologic storage. Given China's heavy reliance on coal, the brief suggests that CCS is necessary to reduce emissions post-2030. It proposes eight key safety and environmental criteria for storage regulations and suggests a pilot regulatory approach to manage the transition from demonstration projects to commercial deployment.

The 2010 Global Ecolabel Monitor reports significant growth in the green market, particularly in the US, but notes that fragmentation and a lack of standardized information cause widespread confusion among consumers and institutional buyers. While demand and willingness to pay premiums for eco-friendly products are rising, the report emphasizes the need for better standards to support the green purchasing policies of large corporations and government agencies.

This document presents six case studies of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects in the United States, the Netherlands, and Australia to analyze the role of community engagement in project outcomes. It contrasts successful projects that utilized two-way consultation and transparency with failed projects characterized by one-way information delivery, lack of trust, or unilateral changes to project benefits.

This report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and its EMBARQ network analyzes the modernization of public transport in 13 cities across Latin America and Asia. It focuses on the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, comparing their performance, costs, and operational challenges to provide a synthesis of lessons learned for urban planners in developing nations.

This 2010 report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the potential for the United States to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through existing federal regulatory authorities and announced state actions through 2030. The study evaluates three levels of regulatory ambition—'Lackluster', 'Middle-of-the-Road', and 'Go-Getter'—across various sectors including power plants, transportation, and industry. It concludes that while existing tools can drive significant reductions, they are insufficient on their own to meet the Obama Administration's Copenhagen pledge or the IPCC's recommended targets for limiting global temperature increases.

This briefing explores whether the unprecedented rate of human-induced climate change necessitates new decision-making approaches for policymakers, planners, and investors, weighing the unique challenges of climate risks against existing frameworks used for other long-term environmental or unpredictable threats.

This research paper by Saleemul Huq for the World Resources Institute argues that current global and national decision-making processes are inadequate to handle the uncertainty, scale, and complexity of climate change. The author advocates for a paradigm shift from reactive disaster management to proactive disaster preparedness and suggests that wealthier nations and decision-makers can learn effective adaptation strategies from the poorest countries and grassroots communities.

This research paper, prepared by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) for the 2010 World Resources Report, argues that existing government practices can be harnessed to manage the risks and uncertainties of climate change. The authors propose a framework of seven adaptive policy-making practices divided into 'planned adaptability' and 'autonomous adaptability' to help policy-makers navigate complex, unpredictable socio-economic and ecological systems.

This briefing by Malini Mehra argues that current government governance systems are ill-equipped to handle the uncertainty, scale, and complexity of climate change. The author contends that climate change is frequently miscategorized as a narrow environmental issue, leading to siloed policy responses and a lack of political priority. To make governance "fit for purpose," the document proposes a shift toward integrated climate risk management, high-level political mandates, statutory duties, and a fundamental culture change within civil service bureaucracies.

This research paper by Andreas Spiegel of Swiss Re argues for a balanced climate adaptation strategy that combines cost-effective risk prevention measures with risk transfer mechanisms, such as insurance. Using data from the Economics of Climate Adaptation (ECA) working group, the author demonstrates that a significant portion of climate-related losses can be averted through preventative action, while residual risks should be managed via public-private partnerships and innovative financial instruments to protect vulnerable economies, particularly in developing nations.