WRI Insights

Berta Cáceres famously fought against the Agua Zarca Dam, which would have obstructed the Gualcarque River, a source of food and water for local communities. Her murder is tragic, senseless and unfortunately, indicative of more systemic governance problems.

Uruguay went from having virtually no wind generation in 2007 to installing the most wind per capita of any nation in 2014. New WRI research explores the country's smart use of climate finance, and offers lessons on how other nations can successfully transform their energy sectors.

Mounting evidence shows that advancements in gender equality could have a profoundly positive impact on environmental well-being.In celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, Natalie Elwell and Yasmine Williams explore the connection.

The new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has committed to being "lean, clean and green." Will its new Environmental and Social Framework achieve that goal? Researchers Gaia Larsen and Sean Gilbert investigate.

The Paris Agreement adopted last year reflects the collective vision of 195 countries, but it's just the start of a longer process. While the Agreement lays out goals, the ability to achieve them depends on the rules, guidelines and processes to be hammered out in the months and years to come.

In a few days, China will release its 13th Five-Year Plan, a new economic, social and environmental blueprint for the country's development through 2020. Recent signs show that the country is already beginning to shift toward a low-carbon pathway, and the new plan provides the opportunity to build on that progress.

Today, more than 300 individuals and organizations launched the Global Call to Action on Indigenous and Community Land Rights. The campaign aims to double the amount of land legally recognized as owned or controlled by Indigenous Peoples and communities by 2020, and eventually, secure lands for all communities and Indigenous Peoples.

The new GLAD alert system on Global Forest Watch can detect tree cover loss in Peru, Republic of Congo and Indonesian Borneo is as little as one week. Previously, governments, forest managers and communities had to wait an entire year to get detailed satellite data on tree cover loss, presenting challenges for law enforcement and anti-deforestation efforts.

Experts often debate the pros and cons of a carbon tax versus a cap-and-trade system. But WRI research finds that if well-designed, both policies can effectively reduce emissions in the United States.

EPA is continuing to provide states with the tools and support to reduce their power sector emissions, and many states and utilities have said they will continue their plans to comply with the Clean Power Plan despite the recent stay.