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The World Resources Institute (WRI) reported 'net' CO2 emissions of 1,031 metric tons in 2004 and 978 metric tons in 2005, representing a decrease from its 2000 base year. WRI achieves a 'net zero' balance annually through the purchase of offsets, primarily via the Chicago Climate Exchange. The organization utilizes Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to green 100% of its electricity and has implemented internal efficiency measures, such as energy-efficient lighting and electronic payroll. WRI also published a guide for service sector GHG management and planned a 3,000-square-foot green roof for its office building.

This guide by the World Resources Institute provides office- and retail-based companies with a framework for procuring renewable energy. It details the business case for switching to green power, explains three primary delivery options—retail programs, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and on-site generation—and offers strategies to minimize costs and account for greenhouse gas emissions.

This document consists of remarks by World Resources Institute President Jonathan Lash, delivered during a National Press Club briefing on December 21, 2004, regarding anticipated environmental issues for 2005.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) reported 1,306 metric tons of CO2 emissions for fiscal year 2002, a 3.5% decrease from 2001. The main emission sources were purchased electricity (42%) and air travel (40%). While air travel emissions have declined since 2000, electricity emissions have risen by 24% due to shared building energy use. WRI has achieved its net-zero goal early through the purchase of offsets and is now focusing on refining its base year to 2000 and helping other organizations reduce their emissions through published guides and tools.

This teaching note, published by the World Resources Institute, provides a case study on the adoption of environmental management practices by Epson (China) Co., Ltd. and its parent company, Seiko Epson Corporation. It focuses on the implementation of ISO 14001 certification in office environments and the challenges of designing a cartridge take-back system in China.

This research paper examines the early implementation of decentralization laws in Indonesia, specifically Law No. 22/1999 and Law 25/1999, and their impact on the forestry sector. It analyzes how the shift of power from the central government to districts has led to the emergence of 'district timber regimes' focused on revenue generation, often at the expense of forest conservation and sustainable management.

This case study examines the participatory management of the Samori forest in the commune of Baye, Mali, analyzing the intersection of NGO-led community initiatives, state administration, and the process of democratic decentralization. The author argues that despite the presence of participatory structures, a true democratic decentralization has not occurred because power and decision-making authority remain concentrated with the state and the facilitating NGO, rather than being transferred to representative local institutions.

This case study examines the process of decentralization in Nicaragua, focusing on the transfer of natural resource management responsibilities to municipal governments. It highlights a significant gap between legal attributions and the actual transfer of power and funding from the central government, noting that while grassroots support for local autonomy is high, municipal capacity remains low and central control over revenue-generating resources persists.

This research paper examines the impact of post-socialist transition and decentralization on rural livelihoods and pasture land management in Mongolia during the 1990s. It argues that while formal political decentralization has occurred, a lack of administrative and fiscal autonomy has created an 'institutional vacuum' or 'de facto' decentralization. This environment, characterized by rising social inequality and a decline in pastoral mobility, poses significant threats to environmental sustainability and increases the vulnerability of poor herders to natural hazards.

This research paper examines the tension between centralism and decentralization in Mexico, focusing on the state of Oaxaca. It discusses how the diversity of local governments, particularly indigenous municipalities governed by traditional customs, must navigate the pressures of globalization and trade liberalization to achieve sustainable local development.

This research paper by Fernando Melo Farrera, presented at a World Resources Institute conference in 2002, examines the tension between globalization and local diversity in Mexico. It argues that for municipalities to move beyond being mere operators of federal policy and become promoters of sustainable local development, Mexico must transition from a history of presidential centralism toward genuine decentralization and federalism that respects local autonomy and indigenous governance systems.

This case study describes a scenario where the Western Oil & Gas Company evaluated a $2 million capital improvement project to upgrade motor systems at its Richmond, California refinery to improve energy efficiency and reliability.

This case study examines a proposed $2 million motor system upgrade at the Western Oil & Gas Company refinery in Richmond, California. Despite potential energy efficiency and reliability gains, the project faced internal hurdles including high operational risks, low strategic priority, and capital constraints due to other regulatory expenditures. The document explores how the involvement of an energy services company (ESCo) and a specialized financing firm provided the technical expertise and alternative funding structures—such as performance-based financing—necessary to make the project viable.

This research paper examines the impact of decentralization reforms on environmental accountability and natural resource management in Uganda. It argues that while the legal framework suggests a devolution of power to local governments, actual decision-making authority over protected forests and wildlife remains centralized within line ministries. The author contends that 'collaborative management' schemes are largely advisory and serve to legitimate central government policies rather than empower local citizens, leading to social inequalities and unsustainable environmental outcomes.

This research paper examines the impact of decentralization on forest management in the lowlands of Bolivia, focusing on the relationship between municipal governments and local forest users. It analyzes how policy reforms since the mid-1980s, including the Popular Participation Law of 1994 and the Forestry Law of 1996, transferred powers to local authorities. The author finds that while decentralization has increased the bargaining power of marginalized groups like indigenous people and small-scale timber producers, the actual outcomes for forest conservation and social equity are mixed due to bureaucratic hurdles, limited municipal budgets, and the continued influence of local elites.

This report analyzes the restructuring of Bulgaria's power sector around 2000, detailing the transition from a state monopoly (NEC) to a 'Single Buyer' model with independent producers and distributors. It highlights the heavy influence of the IMF and World Bank, the failure to implement a fully transparent regulatory framework, and the social strain on low-income households. Key technical data includes a total capacity of 12,668 MW, dominated by thermal (51.7%) and nuclear (29.7%) power. The report also notes Bulgaria's GHG emission targets under the Kyoto Protocol and the critical state of its district heating systems.

This research paper describes the development and application of a set of six criteria used to assess 'good practices' in climate change mitigation policies and measures (PAM) across six Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. Led by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), the project aimed to help economies in transition find low-emission development paths and build institutional capacity to meet UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol obligations.

This case study examines Molten Metal Technology Inc. (MMT) between 1989 and 1995, focusing on its development of Catalytic Extraction Processing (CEP) to recycle hazardous and radioactive waste. While MMT achieved significant financial growth through an IPO and government grants, and formed strategic alliances with firms like Lockheed Martin, the company struggled to transition from R&D to full commercial operation by late 1995.

This case study examines the financial and accounting challenges faced by The Boeing Company after the City of Everett, Washington, required the company to pay over $50 million in environmental and social mitigation costs as a condition for expanding its aircraft production facility for the 777 jetliner. The document details the specific mitigation requirements, the legal framework of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and the internal conflict between Boeing's management accountants, tax group, and external auditors regarding whether these costs should be capitalized as assets or recorded as expenses.

This case study examines the integration of lean manufacturing principles with environmental management at Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. (HAM), specifically focusing on its Ohio-based plants. It explores how Honda's 'localization' policy and lean philosophy—emphasizing waste reduction, employee empowerment, and continuous improvement—contribute to environmental performance and the company's pursuit of ISO 14000 certification, while comparing these practices to those of its competitor, Toyota.