Despite feeling the impacts of climate change the most, local communities are often left out of decision-making processes on how to address them. That’s disempowering to communities as well as ineffective: Research shows that locally led adaptation — projects that engage the communities directly impacted by climate change — can be more effective and efficient than top-down initiatives run by national governments or international organizations. WRI experts profile communities around the globe that are championing locally led adaptation and can serve as examples for others. Read more.

On October 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program announced $1 billion in awards for the purchase of new school buses. About 95% will be electric, a huge win for school communities throughout the country. Electric school buses do not emit diesel exhaust, making them a healthier alternative for children, bus drivers, maintenance workers and communities along their routes. WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative assisted several of these communities in receiving this funding and will continue to offer support in the deployment phase. Learn more.

Intact forest landscapes are uniquely valuable to nature. They are patches of forest and natural treeless ecosystems that show no signs of significant human activity or habitat fragmentation and are particularly valuable through their ability to store carbon and regulate temperature and rainfall, among other benefits. New data from WRI’s Global Forest Watch presents concerning findings, however. Intact forest landscapes decreased by 12% between 2000 and 2020, and the rate at which they are decreasing is gaining momentum. The time is now to protect these critical ecosystems by recognizing them in conservation and climate policy. Read more.

WRI’s experts are closely following the COP27 negotiations. Visit our Resource Hub for new articles, research, webinars and more.