News
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Developing and industrialized countries commit to decarbonize their building sector to achieve massive CO2 reductions
Photo by Franck Michel/Flickr
NEW YORK (September 23, 2019) — All buildings must be net zero carbon by 2050 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, but fewer than 1% of buildings are today. Closing this gap will require dramatically enhanced ambition and execution of more efficient buildings and renewable energy supply. Zero Carbon Buildings for All, a multi-partner global initiative endorsed by the UN Secretary General, was featured at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit today.
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WRI analysis finds that across locations and regulatory environments, there are many achievable policy pathways to zero carbon buildings
Achieving zero carbon buildings is within reach.
WASHINGTON (September 17, 2019) — While zero carbon buildings have previously been assumed to be attainable only by technologically advanced or wealthy countries, new WRI research finds there are policy pathways to reach zero carbon buildings regardless of location or development status.
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Winners will soon pilot innovations to make urban India more sustainable
TheCityFix Labs India Pitch Day 2019. Photo by WRI India
On September 4, eight months after the launch of TheCityFix Labs India, the 10 cohort firms showcased their innovative urban solutions in water, energy and waste management before an esteemed jury and officials from the office of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD), Government of Telangana.
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The municipality of Guanajuato hosted a workshop to help estimate costs and identify financial models for sustainable projects
TheCityFix Labs México Workshop. Photo by WRI México
On September 3rd, WRI México carried out the third financial workshop of TheCityFix Labs México. This workshop, held in Guanajuato, Mexico, focused on supporting the seven project teams to develop their sustainable infrastructure projects.
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New research finds millions have access only a few hours a day to poor quality water, while others are forced to pay up to a quarter of monthly household income for private provision
Photo by Sarel Kromer/Flickr
WASHINGTON (August 13, 2019) — While much attention has been focused on dramatic “day zero” moments in big cities like Cape Town and Chennai, at the household and family level, the tap runs dry much more often than previously thought. Vast segments of the urban population in the global south lack access to safe, reliable and affordable water for daily use, according to new research from WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. For these households, every day can be day zero.
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WRI Ross Center staff and Brazilian leaders at World Resources Institute in Washington, DC. Photo by Veronica Linares/WRI
On July 18, a group of nearly 30 Brazilian governors, mayors, city authorities and business leaders visited World Resources Institute to learn about WRI Ross Center and WRI Brasil’s work on mobility and sustainable cities. This visit was part of a week-long event organized by Brazilian NGO Comunitas, in partnership with Johns Hopkins University.
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Project teams from across Mexico convened in Cholula, Puebla, to discuss finding tailored financial mechanisms and funding sources
WRI's Emma Stewart and Gabriela Morales with TheCityFix Labs México project cohort in Cholula, Puebla. Photo by WRI México
On July 4, representatives from each of the seven TheCityFix Labs México projects gathered at the University of the Americas in San Pedro Cholula, Puebla, to discuss financing mechanisms for sustainable infrastructure projects. TheCityFix Labs is an initiative of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, with support from the Citi Foundation, designed to help cities prepare, finance and implement sustainable urban projects.
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WRI México forum demonstrates that building energy efficiency in Mexico requires coordination between all levels of government
National-Subnational Collaboration for Energy Efficiency in Buildings Forum at Greenbuild Mexico. Photo by WRI México
On June 17, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Sustentabilidad para México (SUMe) organized the second annual Greenbuild Mexico International Conference in Mexico City, engaging more than 500 industry leaders and interested parties.
During the conference, SUMe in collaboration with WRI México, USGBC and WorldGBC organized the "National-Subnational Collaboration for Energy Efficiency in Buildings" forum, where federal leaders, local actors and international experts convened to advance green buildings.
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WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities launches new communications program to promote urban cycling
A cyclist in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities
In April, the European Union awarded WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities funding from the Civil Society Support Programme II to organize a communications campaign around cycling in three Turkish cities: İzmir, Eskişehir and Lüleburgaz. The “Get Turkey Cycling!” campaign aims to promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy commuting mode and to foster a culture of collaboration between public authorities and civil society organizations.
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WRI study shows more accessible cities with better transport options stand the best chance of thriving in coming decades
Photos by Aashim Tyagi/ WRI India
LEIPZIG, Germany (May 23, 2019) — As more people move to cities, congested roads, expensive commutes, and lack of reliable transport options are disrupting urban economies and affecting quality of life. People’s ability to reach their jobs, schools, cultural activities and marketplaces is an important economic driver for cities. Estimates of the value of time lost in congestion already range between 2 and 5% of GDP in Asia and up to 10% of GDP in Beijing and São Paulo.