News
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With 1 in 3 city dwellers lacking access to basic services, new WRI report charts a new urban roadmap to improve billions of lives, reduce environmental damage and generate economic prosperity for all.
Synthesizing six years of research from more than 30 authors, the report shows that as urbanization has changed, income alone is no longer a sufficient barometer for quality of life and a thriving city — access to high-quality, reliable and affordable essential services, from clean water to decent housing, must be prioritized. Photo by Unequal Scenes
WASHINGTON (October 19, 2021)—A new report from WRI finds that 1 in 3 city dwellers globally and 2 in 3 city dwellers in low-income countries are “under-served” — lacking access to one or more core urban services like affordable running water and sanitation, consistent electricity, decent housing, reliable transport to work and school, safe cooking fuel and more. In some cities, the number of people under-served grows to an astonishing 90% of residents.
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UN-backed global campaign will elevate city leadership to improve urban climate resilience in frontline communities
Cities Race to Resilience is recruiting cities around the world to ensure adaptation and resilience are central to local urban planning and inclusive climate action efforts. Photo by Atul/Unsplash
BRUSSELS (July, 8 2021) – Cities Race to Resilience is a global campaign to mobilize action on climate resilience ahead of COP26. The campaign calls attention to the urgent need to build global climate resilience in a way that prioritizes people and nature, and enables vulnerable communities to thrive in spite of climate shocks and stresses.
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The $250,000 Prize for Cities goes to urban agriculture program for building inclusive climate resilience and improving access to healthy, local food
Sustainable Food Production for a Resilient Rosario, a project by the municipality of Rosario, Argentina, has evolved from a response to economic crisis into a cornerstone of climate adaptation and social inclusion. Photo by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
WASHINGTON, DC (June 29, 2021)—WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities announced today that the grand prize for the 2020-2021 Prize for Cities has been awarded to Sustainable Food Production for a Resilient Rosario, a project by the municipality of Rosario, Argentina. The project has evolved from a response to economic crisis into a cornerstone of climate adaptation and social inclusion.
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The Transformative Urban Coalitions project seeks to change structures and values by shifting mindsets and building new coalitions for socially inclusive, zero-carbon cities. Photo by Daniel Lozano Valdés/Unsplash
Cities account for 75% of global carbon emissions. Meeting global emission goals will require city leadership. At the same time, cities are deeply affected by the current climate crisis. Extreme heat events, water stress, deterioration of natural assets and air pollution are lowering the quality of life in cities and putting severe stress on infrastructure.
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The need to accelerate adaptation in cities and invest in solutions with multiple benefits is higher than ever.
The goal of 1000 Cities Adapt Now is to accelerate adaptation in 1000 cities by 2030.
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (January 25, 2021) — At the Climate Adaptation Summit 2021, the mayors of Miami, Paris, and Rotterdam joined WRI, the Global Center on Adaptation, and more than three dozen other cities, NGOs and governments to confirm the urgency to act now on climate adaptation, commit to support further development and implementation of the new 1000 Cities Act Now initiative, and call on leaders to support and facilitate this global program.
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1000 Cities Adapt Now aims to speed up climate change adaptation.
During the Climate Adaptation Summit 2021, the Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb will present the 10-year global program, 1000 Cities Adapt Now, to accelerate and scale adaptation measures in cities.
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Projects from Argentina, India, Kenya, Mexico and the United Kingdom chosen for demonstrated impact on climate risk, resilience and socioeconomic inequality
The WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities is the premier global award celebrating and spotlighting transformative urban change. This year's theme of climate and equity drew more than 260 applications from around the world.
WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2020) — WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities announced five projects as finalists for the 2020-2021 WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities today for showing how cities can address both climate change and inequality together.
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Global Commission on Adaptation brings together broad coalition of universities, cities and community organizations to help cities build resilience to climate change
A new initiative of the Global Commission on Adaption is partnering with 15 universities to implement urban resilience projects. Photo by dany13/Flickr
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 10, 2020) — A global consortium of universities, cities, community organizations and World Resources Institute launched an initiative to build cities’ capacities to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The consortium, a Global Commission on Adaptation initiative, will partner with an initial cohort of 15 universities from 18 time zones to implement urban resilience projects in cities. -
Urban changemakers around the globe are pursuing creative solutions to more inclusive and resilient cities. Photo by Shutterstock
As the world reaches critical milestones for the Paris Agreement, cities need concrete ways to translate global goals into local action. At the same time, cities are being asked to balance climate and sustainable development goals with the need for economic development.
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$350,000 to be awarded to transformative urban initiatives tackling the climate crisis and inequality around the world.
The WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities calls upon urban change-makers to deliver transformative and innovative solutions for a resilient future.
ABU DHABI (February 10, 2020)—Today, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities launched the second cycle of the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities, a global competition that celebrates transformative urban change. The announcement comes during the 10th session of the United Nations World Urban Forum, the world’s largest gathering of urban changemakers. Applications are now being accepted for the Prize for Cities, which will award $250,000 to one winner and $25,000 each to four runners-up.