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This working paper analyzes the tension between country ownership and accountability in climate finance. It argues that while financial management in many developing countries is strong, results-based management and social safeguards need improvement. The paper proposes three models of finance delivery—contributor-centered, shared, and full recipient ownership—and advocates for strengthening national systems over creating parallel international structures to increase development impact.

This WRI working paper addresses a 'crisis of confidence' within the Green Climate Fund (GCF), proposing simultaneous reforms in resources and governance. It advocates for a formula-based framework to determine financial contributions based on metrics like GHG emissions and GNI, and suggests improving Board effectiveness through independent reviews, transparent member selection, and new decision-making procedures to prevent deadlocks.

This report by the World Resources Institute examines electricity sector reforms across six countries, arguing that these reforms are fundamentally issues of sustainable development. It finds that current reforms are primarily driven by financial concerns and donor conditions rather than social or environmental benefits.

This research paper proposes five components for a new financial agreement under the UNFCCC to address technology barriers in developing countries, drawing on UNFCCC submissions and technical papers regarding mitigation investment needs.

This report by the World Resources Institute examines how public climate finance can be used to create the policy, institutional, industry, and financial conditions necessary to scale up private and public investment in low-carbon energy. Based on case studies from six developing countries, the report proposes a framework for 'readiness' activities and provides recommendations for international climate funds, specifically the Green Climate Fund.

The World Resources Institute report 'Jobs and Skills for the New Economy' advocates for a people-centered transition to a low-carbon economy. It argues that by prioritizing investments in jobs, skills, and social equity, leaders can achieve a 'triple dividend' of economic resilience, social cohesion, and environmental progress, while potentially generating a net increase of 375 million jobs over the next ten years.

This case study describes the transition of the Soares family, based in Juruti, Brazil, from traditional slash-and-burn agriculture to a sustainable agroforestry system. Supported by a pilot project led by WRI Brasil and Preta Terra, the family is diversifying its production beyond cassava to include native trees and fruit species to increase income, food security, and climate resilience while restoring the Amazon landscape.

This report examines the potential and challenges of implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a means to continue using coal for power generation while mitigating climate change impacts, specifically focusing on the technological, policy, legal, and investment hurdles of large-scale deployment.

This fact sheet defines Renewable Electricity Standards (RES) as policies requiring a minimum percentage of electricity to come from renewable sources. It outlines how these policies operate in the United States, noting that as of April 2008, 25 states and the District of Columbia had implemented them. The document discusses eligible resources, the role of 'carve-outs' for specific technologies like solar, and the modest economic impacts on energy prices and business opportunities.

This technical note describes the development of a Microsoft Excel-based cost-benefit analysis (CBA) tool designed to evaluate the economic viability of deploying solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) in Rajasthan, India, specifically under component C of the PM KUSUM scheme.

This report describes the objectives and outcomes of the Electricity Governance Initiative (EGI) network since 2003, focusing on its efforts to counter the risks of private interest capture in the liberalization of electricity sectors in developing countries by empowering civil society to advocate for public interest, transparency, and environmental sustainability.

This fact sheet by the World Resources Institute outlines how Pennsylvania can meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) emission standards by expanding existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, optimizing the operation of natural gas and coal plants, and potentially adopting a market-based carbon pricing program.

This guide by the World Resources Institute, developed with Johnson Controls, provides urban leaders with a framework and eight specific action categories to increase building efficiency. It outlines the economic, social, and environmental benefits of reducing the energy and resource footprint of the built environment, while offering a strategic approach to overcoming the "efficiency gap" through integrated policy planning and stakeholder engagement.

This report examines the application of decentralized solar energy solutions to provide reliable electricity to community facilities in climate-vulnerable areas of India, emphasizing the need for climate-resilient design and implementation models.

This working paper provides a methodology for decision-makers, civil society, and donors to assess the political and governance challenges associated with national climate actions, arguing that a systematic analysis of political and institutional contexts is more effective than simply citing a lack of "political will."

This fact sheet by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes how Illinois can utilize existing policies and infrastructure to reduce power plant CO2 emissions, estimating a potential 35 percent reduction below 2011 levels by 2020.

Bruno Mariani's company, Symbiosis Investimentos, uses scientific silviculture—including genetic improvement and cloning—to restore degraded pastureland in Bahia, Brazil, with native Atlantic Forest species. By treating native tree cultivation as a high-productivity business, the model aims to provide an economic alternative to low-yield cattle ranching, offering a 14% annual return on investment while enhancing biodiversity and sequestering carbon.

This case study analyzes the techno-economic feasibility of zero-emission trucks (ZETs) in Guangdong Province, China, from 2022 to 2030, focusing on 14 use cases to identify transition opportunities and the factors influencing total cost of ownership (TCO) parity with diesel trucks.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute and the Beijing Transportation Institute examines Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Congestion Charging (CC) practices in London, Singapore, and Stockholm to provide recommendations for Chinese cities seeking to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

This guidebook, produced by the World Resources Institute and partners, provides a standardized, geospatially based methodology for companies to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from deforestation and land occupation driven by agricultural expansion. It aims to reduce the inconsistencies in corporate reporting that arise from the flexibility of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol's Land Sector and Removals Guidance (LSRG).