Governments pay more than $700 billion a year in agricultural subsidies to create jobs and boost yields. Yet too often these subsidies fail to meet their objectives, while inadvertently driving deforestation. A new WRI report identifies four ways governments can reinvest underperforming ag subsidies in land restoration, stimulating rural prosperity while protecting farmers and the environment. Top of the list: end farm subsidies for underperforming fertilizers and pesticides. Read more.

The United States set a goal of reaching 100% clean electricity by 2035. In a new publication, WRI’s U.S. Energy Program Director Lori Bird and co-authors explain why companies, cities and other large energy buyers are critical to decarbonizing the grid. The key takeaway: Large energy buyers can increase clean energy use and modernize the U.S. power grid by adopting six types of transformative energy procurement methods. Read more.

Women hold vital economic and agricultural roles within indigenous and customary communities that share the rights to use and manage land. But many lack secure land rights — they can only access land managed by their husbands or male relatives. Guided by WRI research in five communities across five countries, Celine Salcedo-La Vina explores why women’s land rights are essential and lays out the key economic, social and environmental benefits they provide. Read more.