WRI Insights

A [new study](http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2013/5079/) from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reveals troubling news: The aquifers that millions of Americans rely on for freshwater are being depleted at an accelerating rate. In fact, aquifer depletion in the years between 2004 and 2008 was nearly triple the historical average.

Global emissions [just crossed 400 parts per million](http://www.alternet.org/environment/climate-tipping-point-concentration-carbon-dioxide-tops-400-ppm-first-time-human-history), an ominous threshold for the climate. Despite this marker, there are signs of new life for international climate action, including during the recent United Nation’s [climate meeting in Bonn, Germany](http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/05/3-encouraging-signs-progress-bonn-climate-talks).

Scientific understanding of the chemicals that contribute to climate change is constantly improving. So, too, is the [Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP)](http://www.ghgprotocol.org/), as we work to keep abreast of such advances and ensure that they are reflected in our tools and standards.

Investors need to understand a wide variety of business and market risks facing the companies in which they invest. In the 21st century, that includes [water risks](http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/01/5-sobering-realities-about-global-water-security-0).

The U.S. Department of Energy [made a big announcement](http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-authorizes-second-proposed-facility-export-liquefied-natural-gas) late last week, green lighting the country’s second liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project. Many argue that natural gas exports will bring [economic](http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/nera_lng_report.pdf) and [geopolitical](http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/nera_lng_report.pdf) benefits for the United States--with Japanese and French companies coming on board as key partners in the proposed export station.

Here at WRI, we are constantly [working to understand and minimize](http://www.wri.org/project/wri-sustainability-initiative) the environmental impacts of our work. Using research and expertise from around the Institute to guide us, WRI [is committed](http://insights.wri.org/news/2012/08/sustainability-wri-recommitting-walking-talk) to limiting the resources we use and purchasing products that reflect our environmental and social mission.

[The Climate Investment Funds](https://www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/cif/) (CIFs), one of the world’s largest dedicated funding facilities for climate change mitigation/adaptation projects, [have now been in operation](http://insights.wri.org/news/2012/10/whats-future-climate-investment-funds) for five years. It’s a good time to step back and evaluate what lessons we’re learning from these important sources of climate finance.

Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made a bold and courageous decision this week [to extend](http://www.setkab.go.id/mobile/berita-8652-melalui-inpres-no-62013-presiden-sby-perpanjang-penundaan-izin-baru-pengelolaan-hutan.html) the country’s [forest moratorium](http://www.wri.org/publication/indonesia-moratorium-on-new-forest-concessions). With this decision, which aims to prevent new clearing of primary forests and peat lands for another two years, the government could help protect valuable forests and drive sustainable development.

“Energiewende” may not be a household word in the United States today, but U.S. citizens and policymakers are likely to hear more about it. It’s the name of Germany’s ambitious energy transformation, which aims to move the country to at least 80 percent of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050.

Since 2009, more than 30 countries have submitted [proposals for REDD+ readiness grants](http://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/node/257) to start addressing the [social, economic, and institutional factors](http://www.google.cm/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pik-potsdam.de%2Fmembers%2Fcramer%2Fteaching%2F0607%2FGeist_2001_LUCC_Report.pdf&ei=dLA7UdSuEKOn4ASA0YGICg&usg=AFQjCNEDOtOHqKsyeW9mJYtVpleh7-gUdg&bvm=bv.43287494,d.bGE) that contribute to forest loss. Many countries have made encouraging strides in defining their plans to become “ready” for REDD+. Yet, in a [new WRI analysis](http://www.wri.org/publication/putting-the-pieces-together-for-good-governance-of-redd) of 32 country proposals, we identify the need for stronger commitments and strategies to address land and forest tenure challenges. While most countries identify secure land tenure as critical to successful REDD+ programs, relatively few outline specific objectives or next steps to address weaknesses in land laws or their implementation. Lack of clear strategies to address land tenure challenges could significantly hinder efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The [new working paper](http://www.wri.org/publication/putting-the-pieces-together-for-good-governance-of-redd) from WRI’s [Governance of Forests Initiative](http://www.wri.org/project/governance-of-forests-initiative) reviews 32 readiness proposals submitted to two grant programs supporting REDD+ readiness: the [Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF)](http://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/) and the [UN-REDD Programme](http://www.un-redd.org/). We reviewed these documents to assess how REDD+ countries plan to address eight core issues (see Box 1 below). The analysis sheds light on how REDD+ issues are understood and prioritized, as well as where more technical and financial support is needed.