Our Approach

The world faces converging crises. Widening inequality threatens communities around the globe. Unsustainable production and rampant consumption degrade the forests, clean water and other natural resources on which we all depend. And the impacts of climate change, from withering heat to devastating floods, grow ever more destructive.

The causes of these crises are not isolated, but intertwined — rooted in economic, financial and governance systems that strain the planet’s health while benefiting only some.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Much as today’s challenges are interconnected, so, too, are the solutions. Done right, action to curb climate change and protect nature can also fundamentally and equitably benefit all people. Through our five-year strategy, we are working toward a future where everyone can enjoy clean air, walkable cities, healthy landscapes, good jobs, nutritious food and affordable energy. Ecosystems are thriving. The climate is stable.  

WRI is focused on transforming the human systems that profoundly impact people, nature and the climate. This includes how we manage food, land and water; produce and use energy; and design and manage cities. To enable change at the pace and scale needed, we also work to shift the economic, finance and governance structures that shape people’s decisions and behaviors. 

We zero in on the countries and solutions most important for driving this global transition. WRI works with a diverse range of stakeholders to develop pathways toward equitable, low-carbon, and resilient economies that are tailored to local contexts. And we measure our success not by internal benchmarks, but by visible progress in the world. 

This bold vision requires a formula for success. We call ours “Count It. Change It. Scale It.”: 

Our work is guided by timely, independent research. WRI experts use cutting-edge methods to collect and analyze data, pinpoint problems, assess potential solutions and evaluate real-world outcomes. Our research is subject to rigorous peer reviews to ensure it is both credible and actionable.

For example, our Aqueduct project uses open-source, peer-reviewed data to map water risks like floods and scarcity around the world. It reveals which areas will face the greatest water-related threats in the coming years, and advises governments and companies on strategic water management. 

We then use our research to inform action on the ground. We start locally, partnering with communities, companies and government agencies to pilot innovative solutions with widespread potential. We help clear barriers to implementation and then monitor progress to learn what works — and what doesn’t.

In rural Africa, we work with local electricity planners to analyze data from our Energy Access Explorer tool, identifying areas that lack power and where clean energy can support local development. We have collaborated with partners to install distributed solar at rural health clinics, often providing affordable and consistent electricity to these facilities for the first time.

Once tested, we strive to expand our successes nationally, regionally and globally. We work with stakeholders ranging from community members to national governments to adapt leading approaches to their needs and mobilize resources. And we make our learnings accessible through partnerships, publications and tools so others can follow suit.

In India, WRI experts spent over two years working side-by-side with the government to develop a national electric bus plan that will deploy tens of thousands of electric buses in cities across the country. This deep local engagement is informing how we collaborate with cities in Latin America, Africa and Asia to scale up local e-bus adoption and spur global momentum toward cleaner public transport.