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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A close-up of shrubbery with skyscrapers in the distant background.
Commentary

5 Ways China’s Cities Can Drive Equitable and Sustainable Urbanization

China’s 14th Five-Year Plan puts the transition toward people-centered and just urbanization at the heart of China’s strategic program for the next phase of the nation’s development.

Commentary
A vibrant coral reef with orange fish swimming along it.
Explainer

Decoding Coral Reefs: Exploring Their Status, Risks and Ensuring Their Future

Coral reefs are an undeniably critical part of the ocean, yet they are facing numerous threats. Without immediate action to protect and restore coral reefs, they could cease to provide the essential goods and services valued by communities worldwide.

Explainer
Cleared land in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Commentary

Why Aren't Countries Reporting Environmental Defender Killings?

Environmental defenders are targets for violence, yet states have failed to monitor their situation in a meaningful and systematic way. We take a closer look at the issue and explore how this violence can be better documented and acted upon.

Commentary
Busy road in Dhaka, Bangladesh during heavy rainfall
Commentary

5 Priorities for Cities After COP26

Without getting cities right, we cannot solve the climate crisis. Reflecting on the uneven progress made at COP26, we look at five ways governments and cities can better leverage the potential of cities in climate action plans and beyond.

Commentary
The inside of a dimly lit industrial building.
Commentary

A New Industrial Revolution for a Livable Climate

Industrial decarbonization is critical for meeting U.S. and global goals of economy-wide decarbonization and preventing the worst impacts of climate change.

Commentary
Cyclists on stone street wearing sunglasses
Explainer

Invest in Walking and Cycling For Sustainable, Safe Cities. Here’s How.

Walking and cycling bring economic, environmental, health and social benefits to communities globally, but remain grossly underfunded. A new paper explores how investment in active mobility can be achieved and improved.

Explainer
Three recycling bins against a wall filled with garments to be recycled.
Commentary

How a Partnership in Kenya Recycled 100,000 Kilograms of Fashion Waste

The fashion sector needs transformative solutions to reduce waste, which will help achieve global climate goals and economic growth. The Closing the Loop partnership in Kenya is successfully showing what these solutions can look like in practice.

Commentary
Two scuba divers swimming alongside a coral reef.
Commentary

To Turn the Tide on Ocean Health, A Collaborative Data Platform Can Help

Despite being one of the world's most valuable resources, much is unknown about the ocean and it is increasingly at risk. Ocean Watch provides inclusive, people-centered data to enable better ocean management.

Commentary
A large patch of lemongrass in the Chisapani Community Forest
Finding

It’s About Time: The Climate Community Invests in Securing Community Land

New financing was announced at COP26 to support Indigenous peoples and other local communities to strengthen, secure and protect their land. We look at the recent research that shows Indigenous peoples and local communities contribute significantly to climate mitigation.

Finding
Two stacked rows of electrical fuse boxes with different numbers on them.
Commentary

The US Clean Energy Transition Isn’t Equitable — But it Could Be

Inequity causes climate change to disproportionally endanger those who are least responsible for it. Intentionally directing clean energy toward those who disproportionately carry the costs of a dirty energy system can help address these inequities.

Commentary

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