Amid political upheavals, international aid rollbacks and companies withdrawing from sustainability pledges, it’s easy to feel like our climate trajectory is curving in the wrong direction. Indeed, these are very real setbacks. But they are not a death knell for climate action. 

WRI President and CEO Ani Dasgupta explains why mounting headwinds won’t derail climate progress long-term — and where we should refocus our efforts in the years ahead. With stronger leadership from emerging economies, strategic efforts to mobilize finance, and — critically — people-centered climate policy, we can deliver the green transition the world so urgently needs. 

Communities across sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly turning to nature as a solution, and not just to tackle climate change. From restoring forests and wetlands to building new city parks, these projects are boosting incomes, cleaning the air, protecting lives and infrastructure, and so much more.

While major cities around the globe reap the benefits of clean electric buses, smaller cities with tighter budgets risk being left behind. Not so in India: The country’s pioneering e-bus program shows how transportation can be greener and more equitable. 

Alaska’s first-ever heat advisory is a stark reminder of how climate change is shifting global norms. WRI research shows that unchecked temperature rise could bring major changes even to cooler parts of the world, from higher energy demand to increased disease risk. 

Nature isn't just for rural areas: Greening urban infrastructure can make cities healthier, safer, and more resilient to climate risks like floods and extreme heat.