EMBARQ Brasil Is Now WRI Brasil Sustainable Cities

After 10 years of work with strong partnerships making Brazilian cities more sustainable, EMBARQ Brasil is now WRI Brasil Sustainable Cities. Building on our expertise in urban transport, this change reflects our growing work to create transformative change in cities across Brazil with a high-quality team of experts. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of WRI, officially announced the brand change at the Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro. He was joined on stage by Luis Antonio Lindau, Director of WRI Brasil Sustainable Cities, and Ani Dasgupta, Global Director of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

Hosted by Mayor Eduardo Paes of Rio de Janeiro, the Mayors’ Summit featured five former mayors—Jaime Lerner (Curitiba), Ken Livingstone (London), Mary Jane Ortega (San Fernando), Enrique Peñalosa (Bogota) and Sam Adams (Portland)—in a discussion of the role of leadership in creating sustainable and equitable cities. International leaders from around the world came to Rio to hear from these mayors and learn how to turn ideas into action on the ground.

"We are here today to learn from some of the leaders who are part of the revolution in cities. On this occasion, we reaffirm and consolidate our work in building more sustainable cities,” said Steer.

"It is difficult to summarize in a few words ten years of work. We’ve worked on a lot. Now is the time to go forward and change -for better. We will continue to seek solutions for better and more sustainable cities with a robust approach, "said Lindau.

Welcoming participants to the Mayors’ Summit, Paes said: "Cities are the key to fighting climate change and building a resilient world. It is an honor to hold the Summit in our city, and I want to take this opportunity to invite everyone to join us and change our cities."

Echoing this message, Dasgupta talked about his expectations and goals for the new program: "Our mission is simple: to help cities achieve a higher level of sustainability through planning and efficiency. That's what we have demonstrated in our work. We hope to shape the global debate by learning from deep, on-the-ground work, and with close, long-term ties to cities and city networks."

Building on 10 Years of Work in Brazil

Over the past 10 years, EMBARQ Brasil has helped improve urban mobility quality of life in cities across Brazil. The team of over 30 local and international experts has provided high-level technical assistance for cities implementing urban transport systems, such as high-capacity buses in Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. Because of this work, 1.5 million more people benefit from high-quality, efficient transport every day.

EMBARQ Brasil has produced manuals, tools, and reports that are helping cities develop and implement sustainable mobility plans. They have also built bridges with partners such as Brazil’s national Ministry of Cities.

The team has always focused on creating projects with real impact on the ground. Their approach has always centered on creating more sustainable cities. Urban areas are already home to 85 percent of the world’s population—a reality that presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth. The transition to WRI Brasil Sustainable Cities reflects the expanding scope of our work to help create sustainable cities.

The Brazil team’s challenge now goes beyond transport and urban development. The goal is facilitate change in 200 cities by 2019, focusing on urban development, mobility, water, health, road safety, energy, buildings and governance.

About WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities works to make urban sustainability a reality. Global research and on-the-ground experience in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Turkey and the United States combine to spur action that improves life for millions of people.

Based on longstanding global and local experience in urban planning and mobility, WRI Sustainable Cities uses proven solutions and action-oriented tools to increase building and energy efficiency, manage water risk, encourage effective governance and make the fast-growing urban environment more resilient to new challenges.

Aiming to influence 200 cities with unique research and tools, WRI Sustainable Cities focuses on a deep cross-sector approach in four megacities on two continents, and targeted assistance to 30 more urban areas, bringing economic, environmental and social benefits to people in cities around the globe.