WRI Insights

Indonesia’s [forest moratorium](http://www.wri.org/blog/indonesia-extends-its-forest-moratorium-what-comes-next), a policy aiming to protect an area the size of Japan from development, represents one of the most ambitious conservation schemes ever established in the country. But is it actually making progress in improving the forest sector? WRI’s new working paper, *[Indonesia’s Forest Moratorium: Impacts and Next Steps](http://www.wri.org/publication/indonesias-forest-moratorium)*, aims to answer that question and more.

In the State of the Union address last night, [President Obama called](http://www.wri.org//news/statement-wri-response-2014-state-union-address) to make this “a year of action.” Addressing climate change will require his administration to make that call a reality. The most important task the administration can take is to [set greenhouse gas emissions standards](http://www.wri.org/blog/states-can-take-action-now-meet-future-power-plant-emissions-standards) for existing power plants—a move that the President highlighted in his speech last night. Ambitious power plant standards are a critical starting point if the United States is to rise to the climate change challenge.

Manish Bapna discusses the top 5 U.S. climate and energy stories for 2014. *Editor's Note: This blog post was originally published at [Forbes](http://www.forbes.com/sites/manishbapna/2014/01/27/top-5-climate-and-energy-stories-for-2014/2/).*

When President Obama addresses the nation later today, climate change is expected to be featured. The president recently said that one of his personal passions is “leaving a planet that is as spectacular as the one we inherited from our parents and our grandparents.” The next two years will determine if his administration can meet this standard.

The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol celebrates its 15th anniversary this year; it was established to develop and promote the use of best practices for accounting and reporting GHG emissions. Stephen Russell reflects on the project's history and impact, and discusses next steps for an evolving GHG accounting landscape.

For the first time, the meeting of many of the world’s pre-eminent political and business leaders held an official [“Climate Day”](http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059993197) to discuss the challenges posed by a warmer world. The day and the Forum’s several events and panels yielded encouraging talk—and the potential for some transformative initiatives.

Chinese emissions trading pilots emerge as environmental and climate issues reach the top of the Chinese agenda. The authors discuss emissions trading in China, from the field. Editor's note: This blog post was originally posted on ChinaFAQs.

In tandem with a[ new working paper](http://www.wri.org/publication/green-tariff-design), Letha Tawney describes what draws U.S. commercial and industrial customers to renewable energy, and explores how traditional utilities could build on their strengths to deliver affordable renewable energy to customers.

Roughly 75 percent of the Caribbean's coral reefs are threatened--with more than 30 percent ranking in the "high" or "very high" threat category. But one reef system in Cuba, Jardines de la Reina (the "Gardens of the Queen"), offers great lessons—and hope—for effective coral reef management.

The authors discuss how energy stakeholders from utilities to government officials to consumers can learn from the [Thai Solar PV Roadmap Initiative](http://thaisolarpvroadmap.org/wordpress/?page_id=1189) (TSRI), an initiative that aims to provide the Thai government with recommendations on how to both effectively and inclusively pursue greater solar power development.