WRI Stories Feed: Uncategorized

Environmental Entrepreneurs: Mexico’s YoReciclo Recycles for a Profit

Mariana Gonzalez — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:10:48 -0400

Two entrepreneurs recognized a business opportunity in Mexico, where recycling rates lag far behind those in Europe and the United States.

One man’s trash may be another man’s treasure, but in the case of YoReciclo, a company supported by New Ventures Mexico, one man’s trash is another man’s business opportunity. YoReciclo, Spanish for “I recycle,” is in the business of collecting what was once perceived as trash—paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum, steel, glass, and electronics. It makes its profits by selling these materials to paper mills, plastic manufacturers, steel smelters, and glass manufacturers for reuse.

A Business Opportunity in Recycling

The entrepreneurs behind YoReciclo, Luis Duarte and Hector Elizondo, recognized a business opportunity in Mexico, where recycling rates lag far behind those in Europe and the United States.

Read more profiles of Environmental Entrepreneurs:

The two YoReciclo entrepreneurs joined forces after discovering they both wanted to return to Mexico, their home country, to boost its nascent recycling efforts and contribute to its “green” growth. Commercial recycling collection programs are uncommon in Mexico, and the recycling rate is a mere 3% of municipal waste, compared to 24% in the U.S. and around 35% in many European countries. While the recycling rate in Mexico may seem disheartening, to Duarte and Elizondo it presents a market for growth.

They designed their business to create positive environmental impacts alongside profits. YoReciclo develops recycling programs for schools, businesses and other institutions. YoReciclo’s clients increase recycling and thus benefit financially from reduced waste collection fees. YoReciclo is able to generate revenue by selling the recycled materials from its clients to material processors.

Finding the Right Strategy to Grow

Although Duarte and Elizondo designed a viable business model, they initially struggled to attract clients. The clients that they did sign up did not yet generate enough revenue from their recyclable material to allow YoReciclo to grow. YoReciclo, like many other small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets, did not have a clear growth strategy. New Ventures Mexico, which specializes in helping environmental SMEs scale, advised YoReciclo to change its growth strategy and find a different source of revenue in its early stages.

Hector Elizondo and Luis Duarte. Photo courtesy of YoReciclo.

YoReciclo initially focused solely on finding new clients and creating revenue from recycling these clients’ waste. After working with New Ventures Mexico, the company began purchasing recyclable materials directly from recicladoras, collection centers that are supplied by waste pickers, in their first year of operations. YoReciclo then cleaned, sorted, and sold that material at a higher cost to generate revenue. This new, temporary revenue stream provided the company with the resources to effectively recruit new clients and succeed with their initial business model. Duarte notes, “[Our mentors] helped us reach equilibrium much faster. Once we reached equilibrium [and were not operating at a loss], we were able to focus again on recruiting new clients and recycling programs.”

With the revenue from recicladoras to keep YoReciclo afloat, the company was able to build their client base from one client to fifteen by the end of its first year of operations, demonstrating the company’s market potential. YoReciclo’s success stems from a joint effort—a combination of Duarte and Elizondo’s vision and passion alongside the support and advice of the New Ventures Mexico team and mentors. Duarte credits YoReciclo’s New Ventures mentors for helping his company avoid big losses early on. Now, YoReciclo is well-positioned and poised to grow, demonstrating the value of business mentoring to SMEs that may otherwise struggle to survive.

Making an Impact

As YoReciclo grows, it will be able to expand its already considerable environmental impacts. The company’s first customer increased the quantity of recycled materials by 900% over the course of one year. YoReciclo has to date recovered 1,922 tonnes of material, which in turn saves millions of liters of water and kilowatt-hours of energy from the avoided use of virgin materials. Employees from institutions that have implemented YoReciclo recycling programs even bring recycling from home to their workplace. YoReciclo has begun to create better environmental management at both individual and institutional levels in Mexico.

Luis Duarte says, “We have both worked in big and small companies and government, and in none of those jobs do you feel this much satisfaction—huge satisfaction that every day you are leaving a better place for your kids. We love this project, what we are doing, and the results.”

Honoring the Life of Dr. Kenton R. Miller (1939 – 2011)

Michael Oko — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:51:35 -0400

The World Resources Institute is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Kenton Miller, an environmentalist, conservationist, leader and friend.

Dr. Miller was beloved by his peers as a warm and upbeat colleague, and a leading advocate for nature, forests and ecosystems. He was renowned as a global leader in international protected area conservation.

Dr. Miller came to WRI in 1988 to serve as the director of the Biological Resources Program, and he was the Vice President for International Conservation and Development from 2000 to 2004. At WRI, he was responsible for shaping the organization’s early strategy on international land use and conservation. One of his lasting accomplishments was the Global Biodiversity Strategy, a cooperative effort among governments, NGOs, communities and UN agencies. He also made significant contributions to the UNEP Global Biodiversity Assessment and his work informed the development of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Dr. Miller retired from WRI in January 2004.

Prior to WRI, Dr. Miller served as Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from 1983 to 1988. At IUCN, Dr. Miller played a significant role in the design and implementation of three IUCN World Parks Congresses (1982, 1992 and 2003). He served as chair of the World Conservation Union’s World Commission on Protected Areas from 1976 to 1983, a role he reprised from 2000 to 2004, and as Secretary General of the Third World Parks Congress in 1982.

Dr. Miller won numerous awards and received extensive recognition for his contributions to world conservation. In 2005, he was honored with the Bruno H. Schubert Environment Prize for his lifetime dedication to national parks and conservation. He was a recipient of an honorary doctorate from the International University of Costa Rica, and the Order of the Golden Ark. The WCPA Kenton Miller Award for Innovation in Protected Areas Management is presented annually, honoring innovation in communications, planning and management, finance and economics, assessment, monitoring, and evaluation, learning and capacity building, or governance.

Dr. Miller is survived by his wife, Susan, three children and two grandchildren.

Following are some remembrances of Dr. Kenton Miller from former and current WRI staff:

“Kenton was a gentle lion of conservation. There was no wilderness so remote that you would not run into a disciple of Kenton’s in a sweat stained shirt and beaten up hat, out in the boonies, trying to learn about and protect nature. One park ranger in Venezuela gasped, ‘I feel like I am meeting the patron saint of protected areas.’ He was, simply, one of the most wonderful people ever to work here.” – Jonathan Lash, President

Upon meeting Kenton, one park ranger in Venezuela gasped, ‘I feel like I am meeting the patron saint of protected areas.’ He was, simply, one of the most wonderful people ever to work here.”

—Jonathan Lash

“Kenton gave me my first real job, and was an unfailing mentor, colleague and friend, as well as a true conservation leader, ahead of his time in this thinking. Lots of things I hear people saying are new approaches to protected areas and conservation these days, I find myself thinking ‘Kenton taught me that 20 years ago!’ He will be missed by very many people, as a leader and as a friend.” – Charles Barber, Dept. of State (formerly with WRI)

“I’ll never forget Kenton for the many publications we worked on and his enthusiasm to make sure that information was getting into the hands of people all over the globe— resulting in many, many translations. Last time I saw him here in the office he was as gentle and kind as ever … and he had just recently received an award which, of course, he thought reflected the work of everyone he had worked with. It was an honor to know him.” – Hyacinth Billings, Publications Director

“I spent 10 years at WRI during which time I shared a common office wall with Kenton from 1992 until 1998, when I left … Once the day had ended, he would often poke his head into my office or invite me into his office to ask me how my family was doing, what I was working on, how it was going, and most importantly, if I thought it was working? … He never fed me an answer, preached at me, nor belittled me for being young and naive (which I was). But he always gave me insight about how to tackle whatever I was grappling with, be it of a personal or professional nature. He would also then tell me to go home!

“That was one of Kenton’s many gifts: knowing how to mentor young upstarts who didn’t know that they needed mentoring. And when to call it a day.” – Bruce Cabarle, WWF (formerly with WRI)

“Some of my best memories of WRI were after I moved into Policy Affairs and worked with Kenton Miller and the Biodiversity team - and participated with Kenton and WRI colleagues at the Biodiversity COPs in the Bahamas, Indonesia, Slovakia, and the IUCN meeting in Montreal. Kenton was a wonderful and enthusiastic mentor for many of us. And just a great guy to hang out with.” – Laura Lee Dooley, Online Engagement Architect and Strategist

“I only met Kenton once, during my first year at WRI, so he is more of a legend than anything to me. I hear stories of his influence and access. And I hear that he had gravitas and humility; quite a combination when you want others to listen to you. But, perhaps most importantly, he was a gentle man and a gentleman.” – Craig Hanson, Director, People and Ecosystem Services

“Kenton was one of the most genuine and just plain nicest individuals one could ever be associated with.” – Peter Hazelwood, Director, Ecosystems and Development

I am but one of many who were fundamentally shaped by Kenton’s vision, passion, and commitment for conservation as a foundation for human quality of life.

— Nels Johnson

“I’ve worked for many people over the years but none finer than Kenton. His impact on me as a person and a professional was profound. He was a giant in the conservation community. He was a teacher, a mentor, a humanist, and a thought leader, but he was absolutely committed to converting ideas into action. Above all else, he was persistent. Kenton had a hard time speaking ill of anyone and it showed. I traveled the world with Kenton from San Jose, Costa Rica, and Nairobi, Kenya, to Oslo, Norway and Bangalore, India and many other places in between on five continents. Without exception, we met people who knew Kenton or had encountered him in any number of capacities and they uniformly greeted him as one of their most esteemed colleagues and friends. I am but one of many who were fundamentally shaped by Kenton’s vision, passion, and commitment for conservation as a foundation for human quality of life.” – Nels Johnson, The Nature Conservancy (formerly with WRI)

“We (as a human community) have lost one of the best. Kenton was one of the most kind and most gentle men that I worked with - but strong in his convictions and commitment to preserving the environment that we share. His smile and laugh would light up the room. It’s sad to know that the light has now been dimmed but, given his legacy, it will never go totally dark.” – Nancy Kiefer, Director of Facilities and Office Services

Kenton was one of the most kind and most gentle men that I worked with - but strong in his convictions and commitment to preserving the environment that we share.

— Nancy Kiefer

“When I joined WRI in 1992 Kenton Miller was my Program Director. I was young, arrogant, and very inexperienced. Kenton watched as I made mistake after mistake and always offered calm, patient mentoring. He worked magic with our Latin American partners … He was a master at partnership building and his warmth was felt by all. He loved his work and all the people he worked with. He was a true visionary. We have lost a leader, thinker and friend who inspired us all.” – Nigel Sizer, Director, International Forests Initiative

“I remember him well as a wonderful and soft spoken, yet energetic and enthusiastic leader. He was committed to conservation goals, and also very engaging with people – I can see him smiling broadly and encouraging folks with a hand on their shoulder.” – Bob Winterbottom, Director, Ecosystem Services Initiative

“Kenton Miller was a giant of a man and a kind and thoughtful leader. I had the good fortune to visit a remote village in Latin America where Kenton had worked and where the people all remembered his work and cherished his memory. Kenton was a wonderful colleague, a gentle man and a committed conservationist. His knowledge of the natural environment and his desire to preserve and protect it, and his love of his work and his fellow beings was touching and infectious. He will be missed by many whose lives he touched all over the world.” –- Sarah Burns, NGO Liaison, 1990-1995

To contribute to Dr. Miller’s legacy, following are two causes (both of which have tax deductible status) which were near and dear to his heart: The Kenton Miller Award for Innovation in Protected Areas Sustainability. To donate, visit http://www.iucn.org/usa, and click on the donate button on the right side of the page. Please indicate on the Paypal site that you would like the donation to go to the Kenton R. Miller Award.

The Kenton Miller Latin American Chair for Protected Areas and Biological Corridors at CATIE, the graduate school serving the entire hemisphere in Costa Rica, where Dr. Miller began his professional career. Donations from the U.S. are most easily made through the Tropics Foundation. Please note what the donations are for. Send donations to: The Tropics Foundation, 4200 Northside Parkway, Building 7, Atlanta, Georgia 30327, or on-line donations can be made at: http://www.tropicsfoundation.org/index.php

Jonathan Lash to Resign as President of WRI; Heading to Hampshire College

Michael Oko — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:00:34 -0400

Manish Bapna, current managing director, to serve as acting president beginning July 2011

Jonathan Lash announced today that he will be resigning as president of the World Resources Institute, a position he held for more than 18 years. Lash will become the president of Hampshire College, in Amherst, Mass., where he will have the opportunity to explore a broad range of issues at a college known for its unique experiential and interdisciplinary education.

Manish Bapna, who has been WRI’s executive vice president and managing director for nearly four years, will become WRI’s acting president, starting in July 2011. The organization will immediately launch a search committee to identify a new full-time president.

“I am very proud that WRI today is more innovative and having more impact than at any time in its history. WRI and its staff are increasingly recognized as key voices on environmental and development issues, as trusted partners, and as leaders in producing results,” said Lash. “As I turn to the future, I am looking forward to new opportunities at Hampshire College, where I can engage in new issues and help prepare the next generation of critical thinkers to meet the challenges of sustainability in our evolving world.”

Jim Harmon, WRI’s chairman of the board of directors, said: “We’ve been honored to have Jonathan at the helm for nearly two decades, overseeing the organization during a time of great challenges and opportunities. The world has grown more complex with increasing globalization, expanding populations, and growing demand on scarce resources. Yet, WRI continues to be at the forefront of the most critical issues of sustainability, environment, and international development. We are grateful for Jonathan’s leadership and vision– he leaves a thriving institution that is financially secure, intellectually rigorous, and highly influential.”

Under Lash’s guidance, WRI has grown into one of the leading environmental organizations in the world and has advanced key solutions to global sustainability challenges. In recent years, WRI has played a pivotal leadership role in finding solutions to climate change by encouraging action and advancing the debate in the United States and around the globe. This transition has been achieved partly through WRI’s active engagement with the private sector, as WRI has brought key business leaders to the table and encouraged them to find solutions to climate change, and related sustainability issues. WRI has also helped redefine the concept of ecosystem services by increasing understanding of the role and value of ecosystems as a fundamental factor in decision making. And, WRI has worked on governance issues by advancing key rights and access that are needed for greater equity and a more sustainable world. (Note: see below for specific accomplishments.)

Since Lash joined WRI in 1993, the organization has expanded its staff; focused on results based on research and analysis; and worked with government officials and business leaders to increase its impact.

WRI tripled in size to over 300 people, across eight countries;
WRI’s budget expanded fourfold; last year WRI received $37 million in financial support— a record for the organization; and
WRI’s operations became truly global, with partners in over 50 countries.

Starting in July, Manish Bapna will begin serving as acting president of WRI. Bapna has nearly 20 years experience working on sustainable development for the World Bank, with non-governmental organizations, and in the private sector. At WRI, Bapna has overseen the program directors and has helped mainstream a new management system for the entire staff. He has also helped establish WRI’s office in Beijing, China, and is leading new opportunities in India, Brazil and other regions.

“Jonathan has been a leader, a role model and a friend. Under his direction, WRI has evolved into a global organization that is rooted in analysis and committed to results,” said Bapna. “Today, WRI’s mission and approach are as needed as ever. I look forward to working with our exceptional staff and board to address the critical environmental and development issues of our time.”

At the invitation of WRI’s board chairman, Jim Harmon, Lash will become a member of WRI’s board of directors where he will help ensure that the organization has a smooth transition in identifying its next president and carrying out its vast programs.

Among the highlights of Lash’s tenure, the World Resources Institute has played a key hand in developing:

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the most widely used suite of international accounting standards and calculation tools for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. The GHGP is now used by thousands of businesses and other institutions worldwide.
EMBARQ, a global network based in five countries, catalyzes and helps implement environmentally and financially sustainable transport solutions to improve the quality of life in cities. Since 2002, EMBARQ’s transport projects have served more than a billion passengers worldwide.
The Millennium Ecosystems Assessment, the first-ever global check up on the conditions and trends of the world’s forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems, involving more than 1,000 experts. By focusing on the benefits ecosystems provide, the assessment ushered in a new mindset of investing in nature for development, not just protecting it from development.
The Access Initiative— with partners in more than 45 countries and among 150 civil society organizations, TAI is the largest network in the world dedicated to ensuring that people have improved access to information, public participation, and access to justice in decisions affecting the environment.
New Ventures, a global center for environmental entrepreneurship, has supported the growth of more than 255 innovative enterprises and facilitated more than $203 million in investment.

WRI Launches InnoCentive Challenge on Communications for Climate Adaptation

Eliot Metzger — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:17:48 -0400

WRI recently posted an InnoCentive Challenge aimed at helping local communities across the globe adapt to changing climate conditions over the next years and decades. The InnoCentive team asked Eliot Metzger, who manages WRI’s research on the Next Practice Collaborative, to talk a bit more about the Challenge.

This post originally appeared on the InnoCentive Perspectives on Innovation blog.

Can you tell us a bit more about World Resources Institute and in particular the Next Practice Collaborative and its role in advancing your mission?

Sure. WRI is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future.

The Next Practice Collaborative is a project we’ve been developing at WRI to help accelerate innovation and the economic transformations needed to tackle the environmental challenges we face. The Next Practice concept is something that WRI’s late board member CK Prahalad championed as a way of thinking about the mega-trends that will affect all of us—like climate change impacts, or population growth—and the business opportunities in moving well beyond what we see as ‘best practice’ today. One of those big opportunities and a priority for our work on next practices is advancing solutions that help economies and communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Can you tell us why you chose to look to InnoCentive’s global Solver network to find a solution to this Challenge?

Actually, the network was interesting to us for a few reasons. First and foremost, we were intrigued by the potential for finding fresh, creative solutions using an open innovation approach. Innovation is one of WRI’s core values and this was a chance for us to try a new innovation platform to develop climate change solutions. There is a limited universe of people thinking about climate change adaptation and we thought it would be great to expand that universe to include Solvers in several different countries, with different perspectives and areas of expertise.

And with our interest in creating a communication platform to share climate change impacts, needs, and solutions, we wanted to access a community of people with a wide range of knowledge and experience. Especially since this is a Challenge that really doesn’t fall into just one or two disciplines. We expect there are lots of great ideas out there among people who have expertise relating to information and communications technologies, or who have experience working with databases, or engaging communities. This is a great opportunity to connect with those people to try to solve some really important and complex problems.

There is sometimes debate about how serious climate change is, and how much of an impact it will have. Would you care to share your views on this?

While there was a lot of media clamor last year about the science of climate change, the facts are that several thorough, independent reviews have all concluded that the basic climate science and its fundamental findings remain on solid ground. WRI focuses on what the science suggests makes sense to do today to not only reduce the risk of catastrophic climate shifts, but also help people adapt to the changes already occurring. That includes finding ways to reduce emissions that are disrupting the climate system and preparing for changes likely to occur. Already we are seeing early indications of rising sea levels, longer heat waves, and more extreme weather events. Many of these changes are expected to accelerate and persist over the next several decades, and we know that many of the world’s most economically vulnerable populations will be hit hardest. And regardless of one’s opinion on climate change, the transition to a clean energy, climate-resilient economy can reduce economic risk, drive innovation, and offer opportunities for economic development.

Can you give us some real life examples of the community-specific problems caused by climate change that might benefit from this Challenge?

Well, a colleague of mine at WRI is from Nepal. Nepal and a number of neighboring and nearby countries, like India and Bangladesh, are facing changes in the seasonal monsoon rains that have far-reaching impacts on people in the region. He recently went to visit communities in Bangladesh where flooding has become more and more disruptive to their way of life. Local villagers told him the frequency and intensity of floods were increasing and flood waters would remain high for months, affecting people in all kinds of essential ways: access to land and food became severely limited, children were often unable to get to school, and even basic health and sanitation needs become extremely difficult to meet in these conditions.

My colleague did come back with some bit of good news, though. Several groups and individuals are beginning to find ways of adapting to the floods. Households are trying new methods of growing vegetables on beds of floating water hyacinths. Some aid agencies had assisted the poorest families in raising their houses above the seasonal flood lines, prompting other families in the community to do the same. A group of local women had formed a cooperative to pool finances and create new economic opportunities with microloans for livestock and other assets.

Floating beds known as baira allow villagers to continue growing vegetables when flood waters are high. Photo: Aarjan Dixit

Communities like these are desperately trying to adapt to climate change. The community my colleague visited is still having trouble meeting education needs and basic public health needs amid more intense, extended flood seasons. You can imagine that an effective communication platform could help gather information about these needs and share it with those in the public and private sector who can help provide people with strategies, tools, and technologies that will make the community more resilient in a changing climate.

The impacts of climate change are so varied – while some communities might experience droughts, others will be facing rising sea levels. How does your Challenge address such a variation in problems?

That’s a good question, and one we hope the Solvers can help answer as well. Our theory is that a communication platform can be flexible enough to communicate any number of needs and connect communities with any number of solutions. You think about all the things that something like a cell phone can do these days and it is just amazing. Although not all vulnerable communities will have access to mobile networks, there are still means of establishing strong communication channels and tailoring them to share information about local climate change impacts and needs. Our Challenge is really about connecting information among people who will act on it and produce solutions.

WRI works with many partners – public and private, large and small. Can you comment on the role that these partners will play in this Challenge, particularly in any plans for implementation?

Those plans will really depend on the types of solutions that look most promising. WRI partners with organizations around the world that can help us put our ideas and research into action, and we rely on those partners to play a central role in helping implement these solutions and build them to a scale that will have global impacts.

With this Challenge, you can imagine a number of scenarios for implementation. One approach might be a broad partnership among local community and civil society representatives, national government agencies, and the private sector (both large and small businesses) who can establish a global platform. There may also be reasons and opportunities to road test the winning solution with a local network of communities with whom WRI has built a relationship, bringing in additional partners and funders to develop and roll-out the solution in other markets. A focused partnership with a few key stakeholders would help test the platform. It may be interesting, for example, to bring together a few companies that have information and communication capacities, several local communities that have urgent climate adaptation needs, and the government agencies that are working to increase climate resiliency. Lots of exciting possibilities and we look forward to seeing what comes next.

Click here for more information on WRI’s InnoCentive Challenge

What's in Store at the World Bank Annual Meetings?

Emily Chessin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:46:43 -0400

With crucial reforms and policies on the table, this week’s World Bank Group Annual Meetings are an event to watch.

WRI Contacts for World Bank Group Meetings

The Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group this week certainly won’t lack for agenda items. This year’s meetings take place at a time when sweeping governance reforms are emerging at the World Bank Group and crucial policies, such as the World Bank’s Energy Strategy and International Financial Corporations Performance Standards are up for review.

More Information

The Bank is also in the midst of implementing several climate change initiatives, including an assessment of progress in implementing the Strategic Framework on Development and Climate Change (SFDCC). Together with other regional development banks, the World Bank hosts several climate-related trust funds, including the Climate Investment Funds.

In addition, following the recommendations of an internal report, the World Bank’s Vice President, Joachim von Amsburg, announced plans to overhaul the Bank’s influential environmental and social safeguard policies, which have helped (to varying degrees) minimize the harm that Bank-funded development projects have on local people and the natural environment.

This year’s meetings also coincide with the UNFCCC climate finance discussions in Tianjin, which could influence the Bank’s position in the future of climate finance.

If the World Bank wants to continue playing a major role in channeling and administering climate finance, it must use this period of policy reform and review as an opportunity to systematically address issues of environmental and social sustainability in all of its investments.

About WRI’s work on the World Bank Group

WRI’s International Financial Flows and the Environment (IFFE) Program works to improve the environmental and social decision-making of these and other Multilateral Development Banks. These institutions are in a unique position; they can continue to drive investments in a conventional “business as usual” manner or they can raise environmental and social standards through their lending practices.

During the Annual Meetings, WRI is co-hosting several panel discussions in the Civil Society Policy Forum and will also have experts available for interviews throughout the meetings:

IFC and Human Rights: the Path Forward?
Friday, October 8, 2010 11:00 - 12:30
Room - MC C1-200
World Bank Group, 1800 H St NW

Sponsors: World Resources Institute (WRI), Bretton Woods Project (BWP), Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Indian Law Resource Center

Speakers: Rachel Kyte (Vice President, Business Advisory Services, IFC), Motoko Aizawa ( Advisor, Corporate Standards, IFC), Audrey Gaughran (Director, Global Thematic Units, Amnesty International), Arvind Ganesan (Director, Business and Human Rights Program, Human Rights Watch), Amy Lehr (Attorney, Corporate Social Responsibility practice, Foley Hoag LLP), Andrea Repetto Vargas (Operations Analyst, IFC Compliance Advisor Ombudsman)

Chair: David Hunter (Professor of Law, American University)

For many years, the World Bank Group (WBG) has considered human rights to be outside of its development mandate, on the grounds that this would interfere with the sovereignty of member governments.

As part of its review process, the IFC is considering how to integrate human rights into its Sustainability Framework. The outcomes of this process remain unclear, as many governments on the IFC Board of Directors remain concerned about sovereignty issues. This panel will discuss the prospects and challenges for adopting a more explicit approach to human rights at the IFC, and suggest concrete ways to move forward. Read More…

Transparency and Accountability in Public Climate Finance – What has been done? What is needed?
Friday, October 8th, 2:00 – 3:30
Room MC C1-100
World Bank Group 1800 H St NW

Sponsors: Heinrich Boell Foundation, World Resources Institute (WRI)

Speakers: Srinivas Krishnaswamy (Director, Vasudha Foundation, India) Ari Huhtala (Senior Environmental Specialist, WB) Athena Ballesteros (Senior Associate, World Resources Institute) Janneke de Vries (Counselor for Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Just months before the next Conference of Parties of the UN Climate Convention in Cancun, Mexico, various efforts have been made to track and account for climate financing pledges made in December 2009 at the climate talks in Copenhagen for fast-start finance and toward longer-term financing commitments.

What has already been done? What more is needed to give different stakeholders, including civil society, the tools to hold both developed and developing countries accountable for their decisions on the mobilization, administration and disbursement of climate funds? What role could and should the World Bank play in data collection and standard setting? [Read More](node/11794

Contacts:

Athena Ballesteros, Project Manager, International Financial Flows and Environment Project
Expertise: Climate Change, Sustainable Energy, Climate Finance, International Climate Policy, World Bank, International Financial Institutions
Email: aballesteros@wri.org
Cell Phone: 202-839-8285

Kirk Herbertson, Associate, International Financial Flows and Environment Project
Expertise: Environmental and Social Aspects, particularly human rights, of International Financial Institutions Investments
Email: kherbertson@wri.org
Cell Phone: 202-368-1927

Leading By Example: Federal Agencies To Reduce Emissions 28 Percent

Jonathan Lash — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:56:52 -0500

Today’s announcement from the White House suggests that significant emissions cuts could save money–along with the environment.

Many presidential executive orders go unnoticed, but here’s one that actually merits greater attention. Last October, President Obama issued Executive Order 13514, which (among other things) directed all federal agencies to develop greenhouse gas reduction targets and plans to achieve them. As I remarked earlier, the executive order could be an important indicator of climate change policy in 2010.

Today, the White House announced its target: a 28% reduction in GHG emissions by 2020. Furthermore, the Administration released an extensive list (PDF, 313 Kb) of energy projects that various agencies are planning to use to meet their commitments.

The Executive Order and today’s announcement are significant in several respects.

First, as the country’s largest energy consumer, the Federal government has a substantial carbon footprint. According to the White House, today’s target would save the energy equivalent of about 205 million barrels of oil, equivalent to taking 17 million cars off the road.

Second, the 28 percent target is squarely in line with all recent legislation to reduce emissions, and significantly greater than the Administration’s international commitment of 17 percent. Federal agencies are thus setting a strong precedent for the kind of system-wide emissions reductions that are achievable by other large organizations—such as big corporations. They are demonstrating what is possible. And with 500,000 buildings and 600,000 vehicles in its portfolio, emissions reductions by the Federal government will undoubtedly have a positive ripple effect throughout other sectors.

Finally and perhaps most important, the actions announced today will ultimately save the government (and therefore the taxpayers) an estimated $8-11 billion in energy costs over the length of the plan. Much of today’s debate over climate legislation turns on whether we can afford to reduce emissions in a battered economy. If the Federal government plans to save billions of dollars by reducing its own emissions, then the real question is: how can the country afford not to do this?

One last item to watch for: Executive Order 13514 also instructs the Office of Management and Budget to develop a “Scope 3” emissions reduction plan, due later this spring. Scope 3 emissions would include federal contractors and suppliers, which means the significance of today’s actions could ultimately be even bigger. Stay tuned.

On the Verge of a Global Low-Carbon Economy

Jonathan Lash — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:00:01 -0500

As I write this letter, the climate negotiations in Copenhagen have come to a close. The resulting Copenhagen Accord—produced after excruciating round-the-clock negotiations—is an important step on the road to an international agreement. Its emissions reductions are clearly inadequate and important details have yet to be completed. But never before have both developed and developing countries made such clear and tangible commitments to addressing climate change.

WRI’s climate team was heavily engaged “on the ground” throughout COP-15, on issues ranging from avoided deforestation and adaptation to the arcane details of accounting and verification. Many of the final documents—including the Copenhagen Accord—reflect WRI’s work and expertise.

But our work is far from over; in fact, the most difficult work is likely ahead. No generation before ours fully understood the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No generation after ours will have a better opportunity to chart a course that avoids a global environmental catastrophe. We have the opportunity and the capacity to act, both through strong U.S. legislation and an international agreement. But the window of opportunity—environmentally, economically, and politically—is closing fast. We are the generation faced with this task, and we must respond.

But we need your support to respond with the urgency demanded by this challenge.

With your help:

WRI has become the go-to resource on international climate data, especially as it relates to greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
We are helping design the tools that will be used to verify country-level reduction commitments—something developed nations insist must be part of a deal.
Our climate team is playing a major role in creating the finance mechanisms that will help the most vulnerable countries adapt to the effects of climate change—a critical component of an agreement for most developing nations.
WRI has also been an influential voice in ensuring that climate policies address emissions from deforestation in a way that is measurable and permanent, without sacrificing the livelihoods of indigenous communities that depend on forest resources.

But no international agreement will be complete or effective without a U.S. commitment that is backed by domestic legislation. And once we have legislation, a global agreement will assure others act as well. With your generous support, we are continuing to engage legislators in Congress to help them better understand international climate change efforts—including the vital role of China and other major developing countries—and the implications for U.S. policy.

We have come far in the past twenty-five years. Today we stand on the verge of a de-carbonized world that can have both economic vitality and environmental health. We have the tools and the technologies. What we need is the will. The choices we make today will determine what urgent issues like climate change will mean for people and nature tomorrow.

Please help WRI tackle these challenges with a special year-end gift.

Together, we can protect the environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Lash
President

WRI Announces 2009 Courage to Lead Dinner

Rich Barnett — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:57:13 -0400

Join us for an inspiring evening with leaders who are tackling today’s toughest environmental challenges.

On Wednesday, November 11, 2009, WRI hosts its 2009 Courage to Lead Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental in New York, honoring:

DuPont Chairman Charles O. Holliday, whose long-term vision and leadership has steered DuPont on a path where environmentalism is both an operational imperative and a core principle for growing the company; and,
Bloomberg President Daniel L. Doctoroff, who as New York’s Deputy Mayor led the development of PLANYC, the visionary and pragmatic roadmap for transforming New York into the world’s first environmentally sustainable 21st century city.

Co-chaired by Bloomberg Chairman Peter Grauer, GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt, DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman, and Related Companies Chairman and CEO Stephen M. Ross, the event draws a diverse mix of environmental, business, and philanthropic leaders.

The Courage to Lead Dinner reflects our belief in the power of leadership and public-private partnerships to solve tough environmental challenges, exemplified by our honorees and WRI’s work. Funds raised will enable WRI to continue to find practical solutions to environment and development challenges.

It promises to be a special evening and we hope you will join us. Tables and tickets may be purchased online or via this downloadable RSVP form if you want to pay by check. Can’t make it? Please consider making a donation.

For more information, visit the Courage to Lead home page.

Video: Interview With Earth Day Founder Denis Hayes

Payson Schwin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:05:49 -0400

Denis Hayes, National Coordinator for the first Earth Day, looks back on four decades of progress by the environmental movement.

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, Hayes believes the movement has made significant strides forward on making people more aware of environmental issues. “Beyond any doubt,” he says, “today the basic core values are vastly more ‘green,’ if you will, than they were in the 60’s and 70’s.”

Hayes points to Earth Day and the celebration’s emphasis on education as a main reason behind the shift in awareness. “We’ve created a generation of environmentally literate students,” he said. “In the vast majority of schools in the United States, the third week in April is when you study environmental things and go on field trips and you learn [about the Earth]. … And that has now been a common part of the public discussion for long enough that it is internalized into people’s consciousness.”

Watch the interview

Hayes was the national coordinator of the first Earth Day, and he served as a WRI board member from 2000 to 2009. He is currently the President and CEO of the Bullitt Foundation.

WRI’s Financial Health in the Global Economic Crisis

Steve Barker — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:32:26 -0400

As a non-profit organization with global programs, the World Resources Institute (WRI) has felt the effects of the economic downturn. We are taking deliberate steps to confront this challenge, with the objective of sustaining and strengthening our efforts.

WRI is on track to meet our budget and growth target of ten percent for the FY09 fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. It will be the third year in a row we have grown at such a rate. This vote of confidence from our contributors is particularly encouraging; it means we can aggressively continue to address today’s major environmental challenges. Eighty-four percent of our budget is project-related, which is primarily supported with restricted funding. Our program specific funding prospects continue to remain strong through FY10.

Our primary financial challenge is with unrestricted funding. This budget supports our operational infrastructure, new strategic program work, and our development and external relations departments. The unrestricted revenue budget makes up sixteen percent of our annual budget. We have historically funded forty percent of these critical areas by drawing upon our endowment fund. The other sixty percent comes from individual donors, family foundations and trusts, and corporations.

Market forces have significantly reduced the value of our endowment fund and are putting pressure on philanthropic budgets. Drawing from a reduced endowment to fill our unrestricted funding gap is not a financially prudent strategy. In forecasting our unrestricted sources and uses for FY09 and FY10, we have determined that with judicious cost-saving measures we can reduce our unrestricted expenses, operate without increasing support cost rates, and avoid staff lay-offs. In a move that underscores our passion for our mission, senior staff in departments reliant on unrestricted funding and executives have agreed to surrender one or two weeks of annual leave respectively, and to forego salary increases through FY10.

WRI conducts quarterly operational and financial reviews to ensure we meet our project milestones, donor requirements, and financial targets. Our “managing for results” approach and financial systems facilitate such reviews at the project, program, and organizational level, allowing us to flag new issues that may arise each month. Over the last several years, we have also improved efficiency and productivity in our administrative areas. All these measures have prepared us for the situation we currently face. To ensure that we are prepared for future uncertainty, we have developed several “worst case” scenario contingency plans through FY12.

I am particularly grateful for the steadfast support of WRI’s Board and in particular the hard work of our Investment Committee, which has helped keep a steady hand on the tiller as we have navigated turbulent equity markets. In addition, WRI’s executive team and staff have collaborated on an extraordinary basis to enable the thorough analysis and quick actions to keep us financially sound.

While we cannot predict the future, we are confident that with the continued support of our contributors, we will be able to weather this financial storm and accomplish our mutual, long-term goal of protecting the environment and improving people’s lives.

We are committed to transparency and maintaining an open dialogue with our contributors. If you have questions or would like to know more details about how we are faring, please feel free to contact me directly.