We already know that the United States can grow its economy while reducing emissions. From cheaper electricity and cleaner air to rural revival and competitive edges, here's how climate action can boost jobs and productivity across the country.
This thematic paper in the World Resources Report, “Towards a More Equal City,” produced in collaboration with Yale University, analyzes data on urban expansion by measuring both the outward growth and upward growth in 499 global cities. It examines the challenge of rapid outward expansion for cities in the global South and highlights strategies cities can take to manage urban growth in a way that ensures more equal and productive cities.
This case study in the World Resources Report, Towards a More Equal City, examines transformative urban change in Johannesburg, South Africa, through transit-oriented development (TOD). The Corridors of Freedom program aims to help reduce spatial inequality in the city by extending bus rapid transit to many new areas and spur new or improved infrastructure for non-motorized transport, social facilities and public infrastructure.
Before plastics became nature's enemy — back in the mid-19th century — they were meant to be nature's friend. Here and now, plastics have become civilization's frenemy. Businesses need to adjust to that.
This case study in the World Resources Report, Towards a More Equal City, examines transformative urban change in Kampala, Uganda, by following its sanitation reforms. The research follows the political process that created favorable conditions for the implementation of innovative solutions to sanitation service provision. The unfolding change remains vulnerable to shifting fiscal priorities and local political instabilities, however, with continued support from all stakeholders, it seems likely that the urban change in Kampala will be sustained.
This case study in the World Resources Report, Towards a More Equal City, examines transformative urban change in Ahmedabad India, by analyzing the land pooling and readjustment mechanism called Town Planning Scheme (TPS). This paper reviews the evidence on whether the TPS mechanism has enabled transformative change with equitable outcomes in Ahmedabad City—and if so, how.
This case study in the World Resources Report, “Towards a More Equal City,” examines transformative urban change in Porto Alegre, Brazil, through the lens of participatory budgeting. The research focuses on whether and how transformative change has taken place in the city between 1990 and the present, as well examining the recent decline and suspension of participatory budgeting in the city of its birth.
The fourth working paper of WRI’s flagship World Resources Report (WRR), "Towards a More Equal City”, examines different approaches that cities have taken towards the informal self-employed workers and their livelihood activities. After presenting recent data on the size, composition, and contribution of the informal economy, the paper highlights a series of actionable areas for urban change agents to make cities more inclusive and productive.
California Gov. Jerry Brown and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg team up on America's Pledge, a new effort that will compile and quantify climate action by U.S. states, cities and businesses to cut emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
New research from WRI recommends business leaders address unchecked consumption and embrace new business models.
Welcome to the Anthropocene, an era built on centuries of economic growth, In the 50 years before this new age, the human economic footprint grew faster in terms of GDP than at any time in recorded history. By the year 2100, it could grow to Bigfoot proportions, severely straining the global commons we all depend upon. Now it's time to tame Bigfoot. Andrew Steer explains.
More than 20 countries have "decoupled" their carbon emissions from GDP, showing that economies can grow while shifting to a low-carbon pathway. Nate Aden explains.
Pessimists may be confidently gloomy about 2016 -- anemic world economy, rising inequality, terrorist threats, disastrous weather -- but in the area of sustainable development, they are wrong. WRI President and CEO Andrew Steer notes that we have much more reason for hope at the start of this new year than we did at the beginning of 2015.
President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States comes at a moment of high tension in Sino-U.S. relations. But amid uncertainty around China's economy and acrimony on cybersecurity, at least one issue holds promise for positive collaboration: climate change.
Como o sétimo maior emissor de gases do efeito estufa, o Brasil tem as ferramentas e políticas necessárias para assumir a liderança no combate contra as mudanças climáticas. Esta oportunidade chega em um momento crucial para o país: seu plano nacional do clima - Contribuições Pretendidas Nacionalmente Determinadas (INDC, da sigla em inglês) – deve ser apresentado daqui há alguns dias como parte das negociações climáticas globais, quando uma crise econômica, seca e incerteza energética afetam suas decisões domésticas.
Brazil, the world’s seventh-biggest greenhouse gas emitter, has the relevant tools and policies it needs to become a leader in the fight to deal with climate change. This opportunity comes at a pivotal time for Brazil: its national climate plan—its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)—should be submitted within days as part of global climate negotiations, while a national economic crisis, drought and energy uncertainty inform Brazil’s decisions at home.
Until recently Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions have been dominated by deforestation and land use change. But good progress in reducing deforestation and rapid growth in energy use have shifted this balance so that emissions from land use change and energy are roughly equal.
It is impossible to succeed in today's economy without access to energy. But for an estimated 1.3 billion people, mostly in the developing world, electric power is still out of reach. Even among those with energy access, many still face unreliable service and regular blackouts. This is why it is so important that we push for Goal 7 of the proposed Sustainable Development Goals: "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all."
Both the aviation and maritime sectors have a significant role to play in reducing their emissions to help the world stay on a 2 degree C trajectory – with major economic wins ahead if they do.
A new report lays out 10 recommendations that could deliver 96 percent of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to keep global warming to safe levels while also generating economic benefits.