Between now and December, world leaders will gather at a string of major international summits, including the UN climate (COP29) and biodiversity (COP16) conferences, the G20 Leaders’ Summit and more. Decisions made there will have major effects on climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, widening inequality and other growing challenges around the globe.

Together, these meetings offer a pivotal opportunity to set the world on a better trajectory. But transformative change will only be possible if countries shift from incremental progress to major, sustained action that tackles the root causes of the climate, nature and development crises together. As we move into this critical season, WRI President & CEO Ani Dasgupta breaks down three key outcomes the world needs to see. Read more.

Photo by Ijeh Williams/iStock

Developing countries, which are often hit hardest by heat waves, storms and other disasters, will need trillions of dollars per year to both fight climate change and adapt to its impacts. All countries have agreed that a significant amount of this finance should come from wealthier nations, given their outsized role in fueling global climate change. But which nations should contribute — and how much — are still hotly contested questions at the heart of this year’s upcoming UN climate negotiations (COP29). WRI’s new climate finance calculator aims to help answer these questions by examining emissions and economic data. Read more.

Photo by WRI

Fortaleza, Brazil has a trash problem. The city has almost no waste or recycling infrastructure, instead relying on the services of around 8,000 catadores (waste pickers) who pick up and sell recyclables to earn a meager living. But Fortaleza’s first-ever door-to-door collection program is helping revolutionize the city’s approach to recycling — and make life better for the catadores. And it is powered by e-tricycles. Read more.

Photo by Makueni County government

In one rural Kenyan county, the local hospital recently got a solar system that will help maintain power during frequent outages and reduce the facility’s energy bills, freeing up more money to expand its services. This was possible thanks to Makueni County’s unique new energy plan, which aims to pair clean energy development with job creation, healthcare access and economic growth. Still in its early stages, the plan could serve as a pioneering model for clean energy development across the country — if it receives the right support. Read more.