Search Climate Insights Directory

A research paper by the World Resources Institute that examines the environmental impacts of the rapid expansion of the U.S. corn ethanol industry following the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and proposes specific farm policy recommendations to mitigate these effects.

This technical note describes a fully open-source modeling framework developed by the World Resources Institute's Cool Cities Lab to assess hyperlocal heat exposure in cities at a 1-meter resolution using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI).

This report by the World Resources Institute reviews loans provided by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to developing countries for electricity policy between 2006 and 2008. It evaluates how these investments align with a framework for sustainable, low-carbon energy development, focusing on policy, regulation, and institutional capacity.

A case study on Porto Alegre's planned transport interventions finds that a BRT system could reduce annual CO2 emissions by 25-31 thousand tonnes compared to a business-as-usual scenario with fare integration, whereas fare integration alone might increase emissions.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) Strategic Plan 2023-27 outlines a shift toward an interconnected approach to address systemic crises in climate, nature, and human well-being by transforming the human systems driving unsustainable production and consumption.

These conference proceedings summarize findings from over 50 listening sessions conducted between March and October 2020 to inform the Two Degree Initiative, a CGIAR flagship effort aimed at helping 200 million small-scale agricultural producers globally adapt to climate change.

This working paper proposes a framework for 'transformative adaptation' in agriculture, moving beyond incremental adjustments to implement systemic changes—such as new technologies or shifted production locations—where climate impacts threaten the viability of current systems. It advocates for 'transformative pathways' (sequenced short- and medium-term actions) and 'decision windows' to guide this transition. The paper emphasizes that such shifts must be inclusive and equitable, requiring coordination between national governments, global institutions like the UNFCCC, and technical organizations such as the FAO and UNDP.

This research paper analyzes Ethiopia's experience in integrating climate change into its national development planning. It finds that while mainstreaming is relatively strong during the planning phase—beginning significantly with the 2011 Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy—it remains weak during implementation due to limited institutional capacity, siloed operations, and inadequate monitoring and verification systems. The paper recommends aligning climate tracking with national economic systems and adopting a blend of top-down and bottom-up approaches to enhance local ownership and execution.

This report from the World Resources Institute introduces a multidimensional framework designed to help investors identify and evaluate the impact of climate change risk on their portfolios, specifically focusing on the competitive dynamics created by greenhouse gas regulation policies.

The 'Weight of Nations' report by the World Resources Institute examines the material cycles of five developed economies, arguing that economic growth and consumer lifestyles have offset efficiency gains in material use, leading to an increase in waste flowing into the environment.

This technical note describes the methodology used by the World Resources Institute (WRI) to identify 'Cool Food Meals' on food provider menus, focusing on greenhouse gas emission thresholds and nutritional quality safeguards.

This briefing analyzes 23 subnational case studies from Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America to provide recommendations for developing electric mobility (e-mobility) roadmaps in Vietnamese cities, specifically Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City.

This report by the World Resources Institute provides actionable guidance for transit agencies and bus operating entities to overcome barriers to electric bus adoption and meet global climate objectives.

This working paper examines the use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) produced from organic waste as a vehicle fuel in the United States to reduce the carbon footprint of vehicle fleets and achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions compared to fossil fuels.

The World Resources Institute report 'Striking the Balance' provides guidance for investors in developing countries on designing social and environmental safeguard policies that balance accountability with recipient-country ownership. It outlines eight specific recommendations for investors and analyzes four risk management approaches used by the World Bank.

This case study examines the recovery of coral reefs in Costa Rica's Caño Island Biological Reserve and Cocos Island National Park following severe bleaching events caused by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) warming and phytoplankton blooms.

This working paper by the World Resources Institute outlines how public finance instruments and policy support can be used to leverage private sector capital to meet the significant low-carbon investment needs of developing countries.

This research paper, produced by the World Resources Institute and UNDP for the G20 Climate and Sustainability Working Group, argues that Long-Term Strategies (LTSs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are synergistic tools essential for achieving Paris Agreement goals and fostering sustainable economic growth within G20 nations.

This report assesses the European Union's progress toward its 2020 and 2050 greenhouse gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency targets, utilizing projections from the "Energy Roadmap 2050".

A study of over 2,000 households in Bangalore, India, found that behaviorally designed household energy reports (HERs) featuring social norm comparisons and savings recommendations led to a 7 percent decrease in average monthly energy consumption over 12 months in 2018.