Indian people sitting next to solar panel

Getting the Transition Right for People, Nature and Climate

WRI Strategic Plan 2023-27

The world faces multiple crises. Our system of life is at an inflection point.

Growing inequality and economic turmoil are profoundly affecting society. The impacts of climate change — from record heat waves to destructive floods — are becoming ever-more apparent. Biodiversity is declining, with some species on the verge of collapse.

Policymakers, business leaders and concerned citizens know that the world cannot continue on its current path — and indeed, many are already embarking on a transition to a better future. A growing share of electricity now comes from wind, solar and other renewables. Electric vehicle uptake is on the rise. More investors are directing finance toward sustainability.

But these pockets of progress aren’t happening nearly at the speed and scale necessary.

We need to shift from economies based on exploiting people and nature to low-carbon economies that are good for people and good for the planet. Getting there will require major transformations of every human system that supports life on Earth — from the ways we produce and use food and energy to how we design cities.

 

 

What the world needs is a great transition.

And WRI—a trusted partner for change—has the research, coalitions and global reach to help get it right.

 

We envision a new era in which we can meet people’s needs while addressing climate change and protecting nature. We see a world where everyone can enjoy clean air, walkable cities, vibrant landscapes, nutritious food and affordable energy. Ecosystems are thriving. The climate is stable.

Building this better world will require more than ambitious commitments — we’ll need measurable impact. That’s why WRI is refocusing all its efforts on getting the transition right.

In our new five-year strategy, we no longer see isolated silos of crisis or piecemeal solutions. We are embracing an interconnected view, where we address systemic problems and pursue goals that benefit people, nature and climate together.

We aim to fundamentally transform the human systems driving unsustainable production and consumption — food, land and water; energy; and cities — as well as the economic, financial and governance systems that underpin them. We’ll concentrate on transitions in focus countries where we can test, evaluate and scale strategies and lessons learned, in addition to global initiatives. We’ll build on established and forge new partnerships with governments, businesses, non-profits and others to bring all the right change-makers together. And we’ll take an even more rigorous approach to learning from our work, advancing evidence-based solutions with clear theories of change and indicators to evaluate progress.

The path ahead is narrow and hard. But with our new strategy, WRI is uniquely positioned to navigate it. We hope you’ll join us on this great transition — for people, nature and the climate.

WHO WE ARE

World Resources Institute is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet people’s essential needs; to protect and restore nature; and to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities.

Founded in 1982, we have nearly 1,800 staff working around the world.

 

Goals for People, Nature and Climate
Woman and child in asian field
Achieving Systemic Change
indigenous people in forest
Country-led Transitions
school bus engine view
Institutional Excellence
Aerial view of African town
Silhouettes of children playing swing in turbine wind park at sunset