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For a decade, limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C has been the world’s North Star for climate action: the benchmark against which we set our climate goals and measure collective progress. Yet temperature records tell us we surpassed this limit for the first time in 2024. And climate science tells us we’ve never been on track to meet it.
So, does the target still matter?
The short answer is yes. To understand why, we took a step back — explaining how the 1.5 C goal was born, where global temperatures stand today, and what it would really mean to move beyond this critical threshold. |
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Photo by GerolfNiessner/Alamy Stock Photo |
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Not all trees have the same climate benefits. New research shows that naturally regrowing forests between 20 and 40 years old can absorb carbon up to 8 times faster per hectare than new trees. The catch? Most don't survive that long. |
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There were nearly 800,000 electric buses on the road in 2024 — more than 90% of them in China. But other countries are also beginning to embrace the benefits of cleaner, quieter and more cost-effective electric bus fleets. These leaders offer lessons for e-bus adoption around the world. |
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Photo by Kiah Williams/iStock |
| Companies increasingly realize that protecting nature is a business imperative. Some are already doing so, from tourism businesses conserving coastlines to food industry giants supporting pollinator habitat. But many still struggle to take real action on nature. We unpack why — and how to get started. |
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Earlier this year, the European Commission announced measures to simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), meant to keep deforestation-linked products from entering EU markets. Recent proposals seek to further soften the regulation and postpone its implementation.
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“Renewed attempts to weaken and delay the EUDR are deeply concerning and could jeopardize global efforts to combat record-breaking forest loss... The European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States should stay the course and deliver the EUDR as planned.”
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— Stientje van Veldhoven
— Vice-President & Regional Director for Europe, WRI |
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| Extreme heat is reshaping urban life in ways both obvious and hidden. 🥵 The first installment of our new WRI Explains video series examines the cascading impacts of heat in cities — from health to work to travel. |
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WRI is on the ground at London Climate Action Week from June 21 to 29. Follow along and view upcoming events featuring WRI experts.
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June 26, 2025
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM EDT, Online
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June 30, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT
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July 01, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM EDT, Online
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July 02, 2025
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM EDT, Online
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How You Can Help WRI relies on the generosity of donors like you to develop evidence-based solutions and turn research into action. You can support our work by making a gift today. |
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World Resources Institute • 10 G Street NE Suite 800 • Washington, DC, 20002 • 202.729.7900 |
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