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*Trusted research, data & insights* ** for a better world for people, nature & climate

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WRI DIGEST *↓*
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*In this issue:*

* Critical Minerals: What You Should Know ( #blurb1 )
* A Potential Breakthrough for Nature Conservation ( #blurb2 )
* What Happens to Your EV Battery When It Expires? ( #blurb3 )
* How Do New National Climate Plans Stack Up? ( #blurb4 )

A person holding minerals in their hands ( [link removed] )

Photo by Idealink Photography/Alamy

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The Critical Minerals Conundrum: What to Know ( [link removed] )
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The global race to secure materials like lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements is gathering speed. Already in high demand from industries like electronics and defense, these “critical minerals” have become even more sought-after as the world moves toward clean energy technologies like wind, solar and electric vehicles.

This presents an environmental and social conundrum: Critical minerals are one of the keys to a cleaner future, but mining them can bring risks to ecosystems and communities. Plus, the high concentration of mineral reserves and processing in a handful of countries is stirring geopolitical tensions.

So, what will it take for the world to meet this growing demand responsibly?

Read more ( [link removed] )

Forest ( [link removed] )

Photo by Teo Tarras/Shutterstock

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Financing Conservation: Can the Tropical Forest Forever Facility Finally Do It? ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )
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Conservation faces a fundamental challenge: It’s often more profitable to clear forests than to keep them standing. A new fund, the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), could turn that equation on its head.

Read more ( [link removed] )

EV battery ( [link removed] )

Photo by Iryna Inshyna/Shutterstock

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When Your EV Battery Expires, Who’s Responsible for It? ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )
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As more people shift to EVs, the volume of used batteries (which must be retired after 8-10 years) could reach 20,500 kilotons globally by 2040 — equivalent to 55 Empire State Buildings. How do we make sure they don’t end up as hazardous waste in landfills?

Read more ( [link removed] )

Solar panels ( [link removed] )

Photo by ultramansk/Shutterstock

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New Climate Commitments Are In. Here’s How They Measure Up. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )
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Over 60 countries have submitted national climate commitments ahead of next month’s UN climate summit ( [link removed] ). A new report ( [link removed] ) finds that they fall well short of the ambition needed. We assessed how the current plans stack up — particularly those from the highest emitters — and how far they go toward closing the global gap in climate action.

Read more ( [link removed] )

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FEATURED NEWS RELEASE
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*UN Report Finds Country Climate Commitments Falling Short ( [link removed] )*

Melanie Robinson, WRI ( [link removed] )

The UN’s climate change body (UNFCCC) released its NDC Synthesis Report on Oct. 28, reviewing climate plans from 64 countries, covering roughly 30% of global emissions.

“This report lays bare a frightening gap between what governments have promised and what is needed to protect people and the planet. While the transition to a low-carbon economy is underway, it’s clear that countries need to shift from a jog to an all-out sprint.”

*— Melanie Robinson
* *—* Global Climate, Economics and Finance Program Director, WRI

*Read more* ( [link removed] )

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Vital Visualizations
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Where minerals were mined and processed in 2023 ( [link removed] )

The bulk of the world’s critical minerals are mined and processed in just a handful of countries, which is adding to geopolitical tensions as global demand rises.

Read more ( [link removed] )

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FEATURED RESEARCH
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*The State of Climate Action 2025 ( [link removed] )*

The fifth installment of the State of Climate Action series assesses the world’s progress toward holding global warming to 1.5 degrees C. It also lays out what must happen by 2030 to keep this critical target within reach.

*Download* ( [link removed] )

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WRI on Social
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LINKEDIN / OCTOBER 29, 2025 ( [link removed] )
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How the tropical forest forever facility will work ( [link removed] )

💡The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) aims to pay countries to keep their forests standing. But how exactly will it work?

View on LinkedIn ( [link removed] )

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Upcoming Events
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*WEBINAR*

( [link removed] ) *Handbook on Sustainable Ocean Plans: Launch of the Practitioners' Guide ( [link removed] )*

October 30, 2025
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM GMT, Online

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*WEBINAR*

( [link removed] ) *Does Burning More Wood Lead to More Forests? – New Paper in Nature ( [link removed] )*

October 31, 2025
9:30 - 10:30 AM EDT, Online

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*WEBINAR*

( [link removed] ) *Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting 2.0 Webinar Series ( [link removed] )*

November 04, 2025
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( [link removed] ) *Urban Greening: Moving from Practice to Policy ( [link removed] )*

November 18, 2025
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