Stories to Watch 2025
For more than 20 years, WRI has identified annual “stories to watch.” These are the year’s moments, issues and decisions that we believe will shape the future trajectory of the world.
In 2025, the biggest story is whether and how the world will deliver climate finance to the communities that need it most.
At last year’s UN climate summit (COP29), wealthy nations agreed for the first time in 15 years to increase the amount of money they provide for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing nations. The new target — $300 billion annually by 2035 — is better than the previous goal of $100 billion a year by 2020. But it’s still a far cry from what’s needed. That’s why leaders from all nations also agreed that all actors should work together to mobilize $1.3 trillion per year by 2035 for the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
In Stories to Watch 2025, WRI President & CEO Ani Dasgupta offers a deep dive into why and how the world should achieve this critical target.
Story #1: What’s the $1.3 Trillion For?
Securing a full $1.3 trillion for developing nations is essential for both building resilience to increasingly dangerous climate change impacts and decarbonizing economies.
Story #2: Where Will the Money Come From?
Getting to $1.3 trillion will be difficult, but it’s doable if all the pieces of the puzzle come together — through donor countries, multilateral development banks, taxes, innovative finance, the private sector and more.
Story #3: How to Mobilize Private Capital?
Experts agree that at least half of the $1.3 trillion will need to come from the private sector — and will need to flow to the right places.
Story #4: What Will Fund Nature’s Future?
Some estimates show that a full 55% of GDP depends on nature. Innovative finance can help safeguard critical ecosystems that benefit people and the climate.
