WRI Insights

Insights is WRI’s flagship publication dedicated to telling stories about the intersection of people, nature and the climate. Through analysis, commentary and data-driven articles, WRI's researchers share expertise and highlight solutions for securing a sustainable future.

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Phnom Penh's air pollution is so serious it may be damaging historic sites, yet there is no air quality information available to the public online. Photo by Allie Caulfield/Flickr
Commentary

Environmental Democracy: An Essential Right for the 21st Century

The need is growing for public access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making and enforcement of environmental laws. Without these rights, explain WRI Managing Director Manish Bapna and UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment John Knox, people are left marginalized and powerless.

Commentary
A smallholder farmer plants maize. Photo by CIMMYT/Flickr
Commentary

Regreening Africa Could Help Stem the Tide of Migration

Some farmers are combating climate change, boosting food security and improving their livelihoods by protecting and managing on-farm trees. A new report details how to spread this practice throughout the African drylands.

Commentary
Shipbreaking workers in Bangladesh handle asbestos and other dangerous materials. Photo by Adam Cohn/Flickr
Commentary

A New Way to Measure Environmental Rights Around the World

EPA General Counsel Avi Garbow, renowned environmental attorney Rizwana Hasan and others explained at a recent event why citizens' rights to information, public participation and justice are critical for sustainable development.

Commentary
A community meeting in Ghana. Photo by waterdotorg/Flickr
Commentary

The Best and Worst Countries for Environmental Democracy

WRI's new Environmental Democracy Index tracks and scores 70 countries' progress in enacting national laws that promote transparency, accountability and citizen engagement in environmental decision-making.

Commentary
The Science-Based Targets initiative aims to enlist 100 companies to setting greenhouse gas reduction targets based on the latest climate science. Photo by Stephanie Meshke/Flickr
Commentary

This is Leadership: Why Companies Are Setting Emissions Goals Based on Science

The Science-Based Targets initiative aims to enlist 100 companies in 2015 to commit to setting greenhouse gas reduction targets based on the latest climate science. These targets can help prevent the worst impacts of climate change while safeguarding businesses' profitability.

Commentary
Photo Credit: U.S. Mission to the United Nations at Rome
Commentary

Getting It Right: A New Global Model to Tackle Poverty and Climate Change

The international community has a rare opportunity in 2015 to confront two linked global challenges: extreme poverty and climate change. Success will depend on whether or not we can develop a new model for global cooperation.

Commentary
Solar panels at the Nellis Air Force Base in the United States. Photo by U.S. Air Force/Wikimedia Commons
Commentary

3 Activities that Can Help Investors Become More “Climate Friendly”

Warren Buffet once said, “Cash combined with courage in a time of crisis is priceless.” Will those with the “cash”—the institutional investors who own an estimated $70 trillion in capital—have the courage to respond?

Commentary
Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/14020964@N02/9563965481/">lezumbalaberenjena</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>
Commentary

Canada's Proposed Climate Commitment Lags Behind Its Peers'

Canada's just-announced proposal for post-2020 climate action aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, which lags behind proposals by other major developed countries.

Commentary
Renewable materials offer clear benefits over their conventional counterparts, so why aren't more businesses using them? Photo by Sam Beebe/Flickr
Commentary

Responding to Resource Scarcity: Supply Chain Perspectives

Using renewable materials like certified sustainable paper and bioplastics creates clear environment benefits. So why aren't more businesses using them in their supply chains?

Commentary
Kentucky power plant. Photo by Cindy Cornett Seigle/Flickr
Commentary

Déjà vu: Pushback to U.S. Clean Power Plan Reminiscent of 2011 Mercury Rule

WRI Board member and former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy Sue Tierney explains why April 16th was a remarkable (and remarkably dull) milestone in electric-industry history.

Commentary

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