News
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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 Clean Air Catalyst will work to accelerate clean air solutions in low- and middle-income countries. Photo by Saurav Purkayastha/Dreamstime
Nine out of 10 people are exposed to polluted air, according to the World Health Organization. Cities in the developing world are at the frontlines of this health and climate crisis.
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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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Photo by Corey O’Hara/iStock
Cities are not only at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also likely to see lasting changes from it, from their physical form to economic and community structure. On April 29, more than 600 participants tuned in to a high-level panel hosted by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities that brought together key urban experts to discuss what national governments and cities should invest in now to respond to pressing needs and become more resilient in the future, and how urban investments can reach where they are needed most.
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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.
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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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WRI India hosts Unlock Bengaluru 2018
Unlock Bengaluru 2018. Photo by WRI India
BENGALURU (July 21, 2018) — Bengaluru’s trajectory of unprecedented urbanization and economic growth has brought with it the chaos of haphazard development that is negatively impacting human and environmental health. On July 21, WRI India convened urban experts for Unlock Bengaluru 2018.
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Workshop with the Open Government Partnership Supported Local Action on Effective, Accountable Government
WRI will serve as the civil society chair of this Open Government Partnership Steering Committee starting in October. Photo by Open Government Partnership / Flickr
With widespread urbanization and growing climate impacts, the need for effective, accountable local government has never been greater. Creating open governments at the local level can directly improve citizens’ lives because many crucial public services, innovations and reforms are administered locally. Greater transparency and active community engagement in policy deliberations and decision making can make local governments more responsive and accountable.
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Juiz de Flora. Photo Credit: Mariana Gil/WRI Brasil Sustainable Cities
Habitat III, the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, will convene in Quito, Ecuador in October 2016. The conference will bring together national governments, sub-national actors and decision-makers and civil society to create a vision for the next 20 years of sustainable, equitable, prosperous urban development – a document referred to as the New Urban Agenda.
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Decision makers and city leaders discussed the Compact of Mayors as a platform for local action in Fortaleza, Brazil
Experts and representatives of cities debate the commitment of municipalities to climate change through initiatives such as the Compact of Mayors ( Photo Credit: Mariana Gil/WRI Brazil Sustainable Cities)
COP21 in Paris was an historic landmark for the fight against climate change, uniting 196 nations under a long-term goal to keep the rise in global temperatures at 1.5°C by 2100. However, many cities made their own commitments as well. Over 400 cities have joined the Compact of Mayors in a pledge to reduce emissions.