World Resources Institute

World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 50 countries, with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, and the United States. Our more than 450 experts and staff work closely with leaders to turn big ideas into action to sustain our natural resources—the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being.

OUR CHALLENGE

Natural resources are at the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being. But today, we are depleting Earth’s resources at rates that are not sustainable, endangering economies and people’s lives. People depend on clean water, fertile land, healthy forests, and a stable climate. Livable cities and clean energy are essential for a sustainable planet. We must address these urgent, global challenges this decade.

OUR VISION

We envision an equitable and prosperous planet driven by the wise management of natural resources. We aspire to create a world where the actions of government, business, and communities combine to eliminate poverty and sustain the natural environment for all people.

OUR GOALS

We organize our work around six critical goals that the world must achieve this decade in order to secure a sustainable future:

CLIMATE: Protect communities and natural ecosystems from damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions, and generate opportunities for people by catalyzing a global transition to a low-carbon economy.

ENERGY: Drive the scale-up of clean, affordable power systems throughout the world to deliver sustainable socio-economic development.

FOOD: Ensure the world’s food systems reduce their impact on the environment, drive economic opportunity, and sustainably feed 9.6 billion people by 2050.

FORESTS: Alleviate poverty, enhance food security, conserve biodiversity, and mitigate climate change by reducing forest loss and restoring productivity to degraded, deforested lands.

WATER: Achieve a water-secure future by mapping, measuring, and mitigating global water risks.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES: Improve quality of life in cities by developing and scaling environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable urban and transport solutions.

OUR CENTERS

We design solutions for and analyze these six critical goals through the lenses of our four Centers:

Our BUSINESS CENTER harnesses the private sector to spur action, innovation, and ambition in support of sustainable development outcomes. We combine research, analysis, tools, and direct engagement with businesses to create solutions that advance environmental sustainability and drive value.

Our ECONOMICS CENTER helps decision-makers identify opportunities for cost-effective action to protect or enhance natural resources, and ensure the delivery of essential ecosystem services. We provide research and tools to help identify and compare the full costs and benefits of continuing on a business-as-usual growth path versus more sustainable options.

Our FINANCE CENTER aims to mobilize and shift public and private sector investments toward sustainable development—particularly in developing nations. We advance transparency, sound governance, environmental and social safeguards, and public-private partnerships to ensure this finance is ambitious, accountable, and effective.

Our GOVERNANCE CENTER works to empower people and support institutions to foster socially equitable and environmentally sound decision-making.