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RELEASE: Early Climate Health Investments Generate 68-Fold Gains in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

darla.vanhoorn@wri.org — Wed, 06 May 2026 13:39:23 +0000

RELEASE: Early Climate Health Investments Generate 68-Fold Gains in Low- and Middle-Income Countries darla.vanhoorn… Wed, 05/06/2026 - 09:39

New World Resources Institute analysis, supported by The Rockefeller Foundation,
reveals that every $1 invested in preparing for climate-caused health risks can yield
up to $68 in benefits for communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the
Caribbean, and the Middle East
Research shows how tools and services like early warning systems and disease
surveillance significantly reduce deaths and illness, helping more communities in
low- and middle-income countries become more resilient

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 6, 2026) — World Resources Institute (WRI) and The Rockefeller Foundation today announced new research from WRI, which finds that early investment in climate health solutions in low- and middle-income countries can yield between US$4 and US$68 in benefits for every US$1 invested.

With funding from The Rockefeller Foundation, WRI analyzed a range of tools and services — such as early warning systems, disease surveillance and public awareness campaigns — across 46 projects in 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (26), Latin America and the Caribbean (7), Asia (4), and the Middle East and North Africa (3).

The research shows that delivering a full package of these tools and services helps governments, hospitals, emergency responders and communities better understand, prepare for, mitigate and respond to the health impacts of extreme heat, weather disasters and other climate risks affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

“Climate disasters are becoming more frequent and more destructive, but how severely they affect human health is still within our control,” said Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO of WRI. “Health is the most human face of climate change — it affects everyone, especially children, and disproportionately harms the poorest communities. Investing in anticipating climate-related health risks can save lives and deliver returns many times over. This is one of the highest-return opportunities to protect people in a changing
climate — but only if countries and development partners step up.”

Climate change is emerging as one of the defining public health challenges of our time. Rising temperatures are driving more frequent and severe heatwaves, while floods and extreme weather events are accelerating the spread of infectious diseases and disrupting healthcare systems. This includes, but is not limited to, malaria, dengue, cholera, diarrhea and heatstroke, which disproportionately affect more vulnerable populations. Without stronger action, low- and middle-income countries could face nearly 16 million deaths and more than $20 trillion in economic losses by 2050 from climate-related health impacts. Yet less than half of health ministries currently integrate climate data into national health surveillance systems, according to a forthcoming survey by the World Health Organization.

The study finds that every $1 invested by low- and middle-income countries in these services can yield $4 to $68 in economic benefits, depending on local conditions and implementation. These investments enable earlier, more targeted action that reduce illness and death — lowering emergency response costs and easing long-term strain on health systems.

"The climate crisis is a health crisis, one that is hurting the people already most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat and natural disasters,” said Dr. Naveen Rao, Senior Vice President of Health at The Rockefeller Foundation. “This study shows how even modest investments can help communities get ahead of climate-driven health threats, strengthening health systems and saving lives. The priority now is scaling these solutions to match the risks."

High Returns, Modest Costs

WRI estimates that for a low- and middle-income country with a population of 25 million, delivering a full package of these tools and services costs an estimated $18 million per year (or 72 cents per person) with individual components ranging from $1.4 million to $5.9 million annually — a relatively modest investment compared to the value of lives saved and losses avoided.

In some cases, returns are even higher. Efforts to strengthen the resilience of health facilities generated returns of $168 for every $1 invested in Jamaica and $317 in St. Lucia. Urban heat wave warning systems in Indian cities show average returns of around $50 per $1 invested.

Despite the clear benefits, adoption remains limited. Many health ministries report that climate-related health services are among the most difficult to fund, while many national meteorological agencies often lack the resources to support the cross-agency collaboration needed to develop them.

“If we fail to act, our changing climate will continue to reshape health risks faster than our systems can adapt,” said Professor Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General. “But we are not powerless. We already have the science, data and tools to anticipate and reduce these risks. Investing in climate services for health should not be seen as a burden: it is a life‐saving, cost‐effective choice that helps countries act earlier, protect people, and prevent crises before they escalate.”

About World Resources Institute (WRI)

WRI works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance, including with our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

Media Contacts:
Darla Bijou van Hoorn
WRI
darla.vanhoorn@wri.org

Jessica Kosmider
The Rockefeller Foundation
media@rockfound.org

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As Geothermal Heats Up in US States, Key Policy Levers Can Advance Its Next Generation

shannon.paton@wri.org — Wed, 06 May 2026 12:42:36 +0000

As Geothermal Heats Up in US States, Key Policy Levers Can Advance Its Next Generation shannon.paton@… Wed, 05/06/2026 - 08:42

Geothermal energy is a long-standing part of the U.S. power system. But it remains limited, supplying less than 1% of the country’s electricity.

That’s now on the cusp of changing. A new generation of geothermal technologies can tap Earth’s heat energy in places without conventional geothermal, producing consistently available clean electricity and heat across the country. Next-generation geothermal has already seen significant cost declines and well drilling improvements in the past five years, with projects beginning to come online and major deals signed with utilities and large clean energy buyers. Between 2021 and 2025, National Laboratory of the Rockies data shows that 1.6 gigawatt (GW) of new geothermal power purchase agreements were signed, 60% of which (almost 1 GW) were for next-generation geothermal projects.

Federal policy is a key lever for advancing these technologies. Recent federal actions include expedited permitting at the Department of Interior and ensuring continued geothermal eligibility in the technology-neutral clean electricity tax credits preserved through 2033.

State-level action has received less attention to date, yet states can be important drivers of geothermal through demand-side levers, environmental regulations and permitting, incentives and other measures. In fact, the resurgence in geothermal activity — and many of the developers and projects making headlines in recent years — have benefited from state policy.

Here are some of the key policy and regulatory levers that states can leverage to help enable next-generation geothermal.

Demand-Side Levers

States have significant authority to set generation mix targets and procurement requirements for utilities in their jurisdiction. These include state clean electricity standards (CES) and renewable portfolio standards (RPS) which require utilities to procure certain amounts of clean electricity based on emissions factors.

Although not part of a legislatively enacted RPS or CES, perhaps the most important state action for next-generation geothermal development and commercialization has been procurement orders from the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). The first — the 2021 Mid-Term Reliability Analysis — was released in 2021 following a summer of brownouts in 2020. It called for load-serving entities to procure at least 1 GW of clean, firm resources (defined as a capacity factor of at least 80%) and 1 GW of long-duration storage (defined as providing eight hours of storage or more) between 2023 and 2026. The impact of this order on next-generation geothermal is substantial; for example, the major offtaker at Fervo’s Cape Station is Southern California Edison. In February 2026, the CPUC issued another procurement order, this time calling for 1.5 GW of additional clean, firm resources between 2029 and 2032.

Separate from these CPUC procurement orders for utilities, the California legislature has also authorized centralized state procurement of geothermal. AB 1373 was enacted in 2023 to centralize state procurement of critical clean, firm power resources, including up to 1 GW of geothermal by 2035. This is a notable development, as this centralized state procurement is what was used during California’s early 2000s energy crisis. The use of centralized procurement tools speaks to the importance of clean, firm resources like geothermal to long-term grid planning and reliability.

Some states and utilities are introducing tariffs to help bring next-generation geothermal and other long lead-time resources online while protecting ratepayers. A significant example is Nevada and the utility NV Energy, where the Nevada Public Utilities Commission approved a clean transition tariff in May 2025. This rate design allows a developer and large energy buyer to enter into an agreement in which the large energy buyer agrees to pay a price premium for a resource. This arrangement can play a critical role in securing clean, firm resources while protecting general ratepayers from cost increases. The clean transition tariff was first developed for use in Nevada between Fervo and Google, and in 2026 the conventional geothermal company Ormat announced it would also seek to use the clean transition tariff in a deal with Google.

These recent actions suggest that state procurement orders and utility planning will remain a significant demand pull for geothermal energy. Critically, recent examples show that next-generation geothermal projects have seen dramatically falling costs and quicker development timelines, and can be viable options for procurement timeframes.

Environmental Regulations and Permitting

States can also modernize environmental regulations and permitting requirements. State regulatory regimes for geothermal may be nonexistent or decades old, and reflective of conventional geothermal for electricity production, rather than new technologies that use advanced drilling techniques. Critical issues at the state level include resource definitions, permitting and leasing, and underground injection control requirements.

Some states are already making progress. Notably, both Texas and Colorado updated geothermal definitions and regulatory jurisdiction across agencies. For example, Texas enacted SB 785 in 2023, which clarified geothermal resources as belonging to the surface owner as a property right. The regulatory authority, the Texas Railroad Commission, subsequently updated regulations in 2025 for shallow geothermal (such as ground source heat pumps used for heating and cooling, not electricity generation). And it is currently updating regulations for deep geothermal (used for electricity generation), with expected release this summer. As more states look to enable geothermal energy, these early movers offer examples of how existing regulatory structures can be adapted to a rapidly innovating industry.

California is an example of a state that has attempted to reduce permitting timelines in recent years. It is the nation’s largest geothermal electricity producer, with 72% of U.S. installed geothermal capacity and the largest generating facility in the world. However, permitting and interconnection barriers have hindered California’s advancement of next-generation geothermal. One major piece of legislation, AB 527, made it through the legislature in 2025 with nearly unanimous support before being vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. AB 527 would have provided geothermal exploration wells with a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption under certain conditions. It also would have required updated regulations on environmental issues such as seismicity and hydraulic fracturing fluid disclosure. The California Geologic Energy Management Division already has a longstanding open regulatory docket on updated geothermal rules. The bill would have required the division to promulgate final regulations on enhanced geothermal systems that includes updated seismic analysis and hydraulic fracturing fluid disclosure.

Funding and Financing Programs

States can offer grants, loans, tax credits and other incentives to encourage geothermal energy development. While many states have consumer tax credits for geothermal heating and cooling systems, like ground source heat pumps, state support for geothermal electricity generation is newer.

Colorado is one state that has led on geothermal-focused investment programs, with both tax credit and grant programs. As of this month, the state has issued four rounds of funding under both the geothermal energy grant and tax credit offerings. These projects include thermal energy networks, direct use and electricity projects. They highlight the diversity of geothermal heating and electricity projects and include drilling projects at a dairy farm, a former oil and gas site and feasibility studies with leading next-generation geothermal companies like Eavor and Fervo.

Innovative public-private partnerships can be a key financing tool to scale next-generation geothermal. This is especially true of programs that help reduce risks in exploration drilling. Well-designed loan and insurance programs can help provide much-needed certainty and crowd in private capital during the early stages of long-lead time projects.

What to Watch

Geothermal energy will likely remain a hot topic at the state level due to increasing electricity demand, particularly from data centers. One study estimates that geothermal energy could economically meet up to 64% of new data center electricity demand by the 2030s if the industry is able to scale rapidly (although forecasting this demand is a notoriously tricky exercise).

Meeting the needs of large loads and maintaining reliability will be a key challenge for state policymakers and regulators in the years ahead. Some, including Utah and Texas, are already looking to define geothermal as dispatchable resources that can help meet reliability challenges.

As state interest in geothermal increases — especially among states that lack conventional geothermal but may be suitable for next-generation technologies — early steps can include incorporating geothermal into state energy strategies and conducting updated geothermal resource assessments.

State legislative sessions are in full swing, and we’re already seeing progress this year. This includes actions from hotbeds of next-generation geothermal activity, like Utah, as well as eastern states like New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia that haven’t seen significant activity to date. More than 30 geothermal bills introduced so far cover topics including high-level planning, mapping and resource assessments, clarifying regulatory jurisdiction among state agencies, utilization of oil and gas wells for geothermal energy and financial incentives, among other topics. Below is a snapshot of some of the current legislation relevant to next-generation geothermal power, highlighting the diversity of approaches state legislators are taking.

Select Geothermal Electricity Bills in State Legislatures, 2026

State	Bill	Summary
Alabama	SB 174	Gives state oil and gas board jurisdiction over geothermal wells; allows for conversion of oil and gas wells to geothermal; allows leasing of state lands for geothermal.
Arizona	HCR 2057	Resolution calling for a geothermal permitting roadmap, standardization and alignment of agency rules for geothermal.
California	SB 940	Expands definition of geothermal energy to include oil and gas reservoir used for thermal energy storage or geothermal electricity generation.
Hawaii	SB 993	Shortens period for certain juridical proceedings for environmental reviews of specified housing and clean energy projects, including geothermal.
New Mexico	HB 62/ SB 163	Amends tax credit amounts and facility caps for geothermal power generation.
New York	S 02486	Directs state agency to develop regulations for geothermal power generation and pre-approve sites for expedited geothermal facility development.
Oklahoma	HB 3173	Allows conversion of abandoned oil and gas wells into use for energy storage or geothermal energy and establishes regulatory authority.
Oregon	HB 4031	Creates exemption from state energy siting council for renewable energy projects, including geothermal energy.
Utah	SB 21	Clarifies ownership of geothermal resources to surface owners (unless rights have been transferred).
West Virginia	HB 5381	Calls for comprehensive energy development policy and plan for non-fossil energy sources; geothermal is second-listed energy source.

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Preparing Health Systems for Climate Risks Saves Lives — and Pays Off

alicia.cypress@wri.org — Wed, 06 May 2026 04:01:00 +0000

Preparing Health Systems for Climate Risks Saves Lives — and Pays Off alicia.cypress… Wed, 05/06/2026 - 00:01

Without interventions, disruptions to health systems from climate-related disasters in low- and middle-income countries could drive $21 trillion in economic losses.

For every $1 invested in data-driven tools and activities that prepare health systems for climate impacts, countries can generate nearly $4 in health benefits; or up to $68 depending on the scenario.

Adapting to Climate-Related Health Risks: The Economic Case for Climate Services for Health

This report was prepared for The Rockefeller Foundation.

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Climate change is one of the greatest health threats we face. By 2050, it could claim nearly 16 million deaths across low- and middle-income countries. Extreme heat, the spread of climate-sensitive diseases like malaria and cholera, and disruptions to hospitals and other healthcare could drive close to $21 trillion in economic losses.

People around the world are already feeling the impact: Recent sustained temperatures in several states in India surged to dangerous levels of heat, reaching 42 degrees C (108 degrees F). In Kenya, deadly floods damaged health facilities and prompted warnings from the Ministry of Health about the risks of diseases like cholera and malaria. Two years ago, Latin America experienced its most severe dengue epidemic since tracking began in 1980 as a result of warming temperatures and standing waters that created ideal mosquito breeding environments.

Protecting lives requires better understanding of how shifting climate patterns can undermine people’s health and their ability to receive care. An essential first step for countries is to invest in “climate services for health,” an umbrella term for data-driven tools and activities that help communities prepare for these health risks before a crisis hits.

A sign at the Rome airport warns travelers about the dangers of dengue fever. The mosquito-borne illness can reach epidemic levels with increased temperatures. Photo by BalkansCat/iStock

New WRI research commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation shows investing in climate services for health can yield extremely high returns by reducing sickness and death linked to increased climate-related cases of malaria, dengue, diarrhea, cholera and heat-related diseases. Even in worst-case, high-cost, low-benefit scenarios, every $1 is estimated to generate almost $4 in health benefits, with other scenarios showing returns as high as $68 per dollar invested. This wide range is due to differing program costs, institutional capacities, implementation and severity of climate trends across countries.

It's not surprising that there’s a strong economic case for investing in climate-health preparedness. It pays for countries to understand what they're up against. Without good upstream climate analytics and planning, health systems are left reacting to emergencies rather than being prepared for them. The estimated returns are significant because saving lives has immense value, while the funding needs are comparatively modest.

Climate Services for Health in Action

Around the world, governments and communities are already preparing for and responding to climate-related health risks.

Pakistan Prepares Communities for Rising Heat

In Karachi, Pakistan, where temperatures now routinely reach 38 degrees C to 40 degrees C (100.4 degrees F to 104 degrees F), the Heat Emergency Awareness and Treatment (HEAT) program trained community health workers to give households and communities life-saving information about heat-related illnesses — from preventative behaviors and dietary modifications during heat waves to recognizing symptoms through screenings and early treatment measures.

The impact was measurable: Delivered at a modest cost of roughly $2,000 over three months, the training program contributed to over $5,800 in out-of-pocket financial savings from reduced hospitalizations. Even without including the economic value of averted sickness and death, every $1 invested in providing climate-health education to Karachi’s healthcare workers and communities yielded $3 in returns.

Keeping Hospitals and Clinics Running in the Caribbean When Disasters Strike

The Pan American Health Organization’s SMART Hospitals initiative identified and retrofitted 54 health facilities in seven climate-vulnerable Caribbean countries to make them safer and more sustainable — for example, by reinforcing roofs, installing solar power systems and providing additional emergency training to staff.

The impact has been profound. Seventeen facilities that achieved the “gold standard” for safety and environmental performance remained operational during hurricanes and volcanic eruptions, providing access to safe, reliable care for 850,000 people and avoiding costly service interruptions. In Jamaica and St. Lucia, every $1 invested generated returns well over $68 in avoided losses and economic benefits.

Installing solar panels on the rooftops of hospitals, like this one in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is one way governments can invest in preparations for climate-related disasters. Photo by N Team/Shutterstock.

Early Extreme Heat Warnings Is Saving Lives in Cities

In response to “urban heat island effects,” where cities can be significantly warmer than surrounding areas, several cities including London, Madrid, and Lucknow and Chennai in India have put heat wave warning systems in place that alert and prepare residents before temperatures become dangerous. These systems typically issue heat alerts through websites, apps, social media, helplines and traditional media outlets when extreme temperatures are forecasted. Some systems train workers and healthcare staff to interpret early warning information, recognize heat-related dehydration and mitigate heat stress. Others produce infographics and videos showing how to address heat stress, which are shared through media channels.

The potential benefits are substantial. In London, Madrid and Prague, every $1 invested in urban heat wave warning systems could generate at least $11 in economic benefits, measured as projected decreases in labor productivity, heat-related illnesses and deaths. The estimated returns are even higher for cities in India, where every $1 invested could generate an average of $50 in health benefits.

Water is poured over the head of a man during his commute to help cool off from a heat wave in Karachi, Pakistan. Scorching temperatures in the city are becoming more common. Photo by Asianet-Pakistan/Shutterstock.

From Untapped Opportunity to Life-Saving Impact

These real-world examples show what’s possible when health systems account for the changing climate.

Climate services for health bring together meteorological, health and other agencies responsible for safeguarding health to ensure that climate and weather data is used optimally to protect lives and livelihoods. As a result, governments, the private sector and communities better understand how climate change will affect the scale, location and severity of climate-sensitive diseases.

Improved analysis and planning can better model the ecological impacts of climate change on disease-carrying bacteria and disease vectors like mosquitoes; pinpoint where medical supplies and staff training are needed to respond to climate-induced health emergencies; determine when to activate shelters before extreme weather turns deadly; and identify health clinics that are vulnerable to floods and storms.

For the purpose of WRI’s research, climate services for health includes seven types of activities: weather, climate and water data generation, early-warning systems, disease surveillance systems, climate-sensitive health planning, emergency preparedness and response training, community awareness campaigns and making health facilities and infrastructure more resilient to climate change.

Based on an analysis of 46 World Bank finance health projects, WRI’s study found that for low- and middle-income countries with a population of about 25 million people, investing in all seven types of activities costs governments about $18 million per year, while each of the seven activities costs between $1.4 million and $5.9 million per year. Activities supporting planning, capacity-building, and community behavior and awareness campaigns typically require the least investment, while building resilient health facilities and infrastructure require relatively more.

Compared to the 2% to 4% of GDP countries typically spend on health, the investment needed to achieve high returns from climate services for health is a tiny fraction — yet these services remain underutilized and underfunded. While 81% of World Meteorological Organization members provide climate and weather information to the health sector, less than half of health ministries currently integrate climate data into national surveillance systems, according to a forthcoming survey by the World Health Organization. Few national weather, climate and water agencies can fund specialized cross-agency collaboration that health agencies might need. Health ministries also report that collaborative activities that plan ahead are the most difficult to fund. This funding gap may be linked to limited understanding of the scope, costs and benefits of preparing for climate-health risks.

Building Momentum for More Investment

Despite these challenges, political momentum is growing around investing in the tools needed to better manage climate-related health risks. Climate services for health are increasingly embedded in national and global climate and health strategies, thereby improving climate-informed health decision-making and the effectiveness of on-the-ground health services. Among the three priority areas for countries highlighted in the Belém Health Action Plan, launched at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), two directly involve climate services for health: 1) surveillance and monitoring, and 2) evidence-based policies, strategies and capacity building.

Countries are also increasingly including priorities related to climate services for health in their national planning processes. Over 90% of completed National Adaptation Plans identify the health sector as vulnerable and include at least one health adaptation action. Moreover, climate-informed surveillance is a commonly cited priority intervention in these plans.

Harnessing this political momentum is critical because investing in data-driven tools and activities that help governments and communities adapt is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect lives. This is especially true among vulnerable populations, including the rural and peri-urban poor, women, children and elderly in high-risk zones — where climate-sensitive diseases create the deepest inequities. Countries that do not invest are likely to remain stuck reacting to health crises after they occur and face much higher economic and social harm.

However, implementing climate services for health is complex. They are inter-disciplinary and cross-agency — they require close collaboration between weather and health agencies, and often with others such as local private healthcare providers and universities.

Nevertheless, with millions of lives potentially at stake by 2050, expanding the tools that will help predict and prepare for climate disasters is not just smart policy, it is an urgent health and development priority.

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STATEMENT: European Commission Delivers Clear Plan to Advance EUDR Implementation

darla.vanhoorn@wri.org — Tue, 05 May 2026 07:58:55 +0000

STATEMENT: European Commission Delivers Clear Plan to Advance EUDR Implementation darla.vanhoorn… Tue, 05/05/2026 - 03:58

Brussels (May 5, 2026) — The European Commission has released the results of its simplification review of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aimed at making compliance easier for companies and enforcement agencies across the EU.

Crucially, the plan does not alter the core legal text of the EUDR — ending months of speculation about late-stage revisions ahead of the December 30, 2026, enforcement deadline. Instead, it focuses on ensuring the law is applied consistently across member states.

Following is a statement by Janneke de Vries, EU Director, World Resources Institute: 

“Overall, the Commission has delivered a practical, sensible plan to keep EUDR implementation moving — cutting confusion and paving the way for a deforestation-free market. It zeroes in on where it matters: clear interpretation and practical guidance to help companies, enforcement bodies and partner-country governments remove roadblocks and make EUDR work in practice.

“One notable exception is leather, which is proposed to be left out of the scope despite its clear environmental costs, leaving a key deforestation-linked commodity outside the framework.

“The stakes could not be higher. Last year, the world lost 4.3 million hectares of tropical primary forest — 11 football fields every minute. Despite having just 7% of the global population, the EU drives up to 16% of deforestation through its imports, giving it a disproportionate responsibility to lead.

“The window to prepare is closing fast. With clarity now in place, there is no time to lose: companies must move quickly to build compliance systems and align their supply chains before the December 30 deadline.”

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Detroit Announces Winners of Global Sustainable Cities Challenge to Innovate in Clean Freight

alicia.cypress@wri.org — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:30:37 +0000

Detroit Announces Winners of Global Sustainable Cities Challenge to Innovate in Clean Freight alicia.cypress… Thu, 04/30/2026 - 16:30

April 30, 2026 — The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and City of Detroit recently announced three winners of TMF’s Sustainable Cities Challenge in Detroit. The announcement marks the conclusion of the three-year competition, designed to accelerate sustainable and inclusive urban mobility solutions.

Developed in partnership with the City of Detroit, Challenge Works and WRI, the Sustainable Cities Challenge focused on demonstrating clean freight solutions in the Eastern Market, a Detroit neighborhood that’s a cornerstone of the city’s food economy and serves as a thriving commercial hub. The goal was to identify solutions that reduce fossil fuel use, lower freight costs and support cleaner, more efficient movement of goods.

Detroit’s winners — Civilized Cycles, ElectricFish Energy, Inc. and Neology — illustrate how supporting local innovators can create meaningful impact in communities, with the potential to scale solutions across cities and beyond. Each winner previously received $180,000 in implementation funding and will now share $1.5 million to scale their solutions across the city.

"Big ideas in clean freight technology have found their home in Detroit. This means cleaner air and a brighter future for residents,” said Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield. “We are grateful to the Toyota Mobility Foundation for choosing Detroit out of more than 250 cities across the globe. Our residents gain cleaner air, innovators gain a city serious about sustainability, and together we embody Detroit's legacy of innovation."

Together, the winning cohort marks the beginning of a cleaner, more resilient freight ecosystem in Detroit’s Eastern Market, with benefits that could extend beyond the city and region.

TMF and the City of Detroit are proud to announce that Detroit’s winners are:

Civilized Cycles, a Detroit-based manufacturer of ultra-light electric cargo vehicles, which is scaling its patented Semi-Trike as a practical alternative to gas-powered delivery vans. Since the finalists were announced, the company has been exploring applications for its Semi-Trike, most recently selling one to Detroit-based company Grounded EVs, where it will be used as a platform to build a mini-RV.

“The Sustainable Cities Challenge gave us the platform to prove that ultra-light electric freight vehicles can meet commercial demand,” said Zachary Schieffelin, co-founder and CEO of Civilized Cycles. “Detroit offered an ideal opportunity to test and demonstrate their potential in a real-world commercial environment. With this support, we’re expanding production and advancing a cleaner, more efficient model for how goods move through cities.”

ElectricFish Energy, Inc., a distributed energy infrastructure company advancing fast-charging EV solutions, which recently launched 400squared, a 400-kilowatt battery-integrated fast charger and introduced its Turbo Charge program to enable seamless deployment at gas stations and fleet sites. Since being named a finalist, the company has been third-party endorsed by MotorTrend and received coverage in high-profile news outlets such as Axios.

“Detroit showed us what is possible when public and private collaborators come together to build resilient approaches to our nation’s critical infrastructure,” said Anurag Kamal, co-founder and CEO of ElectricFish. “We are excited to continue working with this forward-thinking city on deploying clean mobility to accelerate electrification, which may serve as a blueprint for the future of industrial growth and reducing carbon emissions at scale.”

Neology is a clean technology startup developing power systems that can produce hydrogen and electricity independently, useful in applications where clean, off-grid power is necessary. Since selected as a finalist, Neology has conducted more than 10 live demonstrations across Detroit, generating about 300 kilowatt-hours of clean energy — enough to power an average U.S. home for 10 days — and has produced approximately 20 kilograms of hydrogen from ammonia. These demonstrations serve as an example of the opportunities for validation of transportation concepts offered by the Sustainable Cities Challenge.

“Detroit is once again showing that it leads at the edge of industrial innovation,” said Aris Maroonian, founder and CEO of Neology. “With the support of the Toyota Mobility Foundation, we are able to move ammonia-to-hydrogen technology from prototype to deployment — accelerating the city’s growing hydrogen ecosystem. We believe scalable, affordable hydrogen solutions will play a critical role in the future of mobility, and we are proud to help position Detroit as a global showcase for that transformation.”

Detroit city officials praised the need and innovation for clean freight technology championed by the Sustainable Cities Challenge.

"Globally, the need for advancement in clean freight technology is abundantly clear,” said Detroit’s Deputy Chief of Business Innovation and Emerging Industries Ryan Michael. “Detroit values the opportunity to partner with TMF and the State of Michigan OFME on this vital emerging vertical.”

Vince Keenan, head of engagement innovation in the city’s Office of Mobility Innovation said: “The Mayor's Office of Mobility Innovation is designed to push big ideas. Whether it's zero-emission micro-freight solutions that can zip through traffic to avoid (and prevent) congestion, fleet charging solutions that can deploy the capacity to charge in the same time it takes to fill up with diesel and a peek around the corner to the hydrogen solutions that could one day eliminate emissions entirely. The [Sustainable Cities Challenge] has enabled Detroit to kick the tires on the future of clean freight today.”

Over three years, the Sustainable Cities Challenge has brought together innovators, policymakers, industry leaders and community stakeholders to explore new, sustainable ways of moving goods through Detroit. Through multiple challenge rounds and collaborative development, ideas have evolved into practical, scalable solutions designed to support a cleaner, more efficient and resilient freight system for the city and its communities.

Detroit, the only city chosen in the Western Hemisphere, is one of three global cities participating in the Sustainable Cities Challenge, alongside Venice, Italy and Varanasi, India. Across the three cities, TMF has invested a cumulative $9 million to tackle each city's unique mobility challenge.

In every location, the goal remains the same: to catalyze solutions that enhance quality of life, support economic vitality and advance more sustainable systems of movement. The Sustainable Cities Challenge turns bold ideas into tangible impact by empowering local innovation and pairing it with global expertise.

“For over a hundred years, Eastern Market has been a place where businesses have adapted and grown to keep Detroit fed,” said Katy Trudeau, president and CEO of Eastern Market. “This Challenge builds on that legacy by bringing fresh ideas and innovations into a real-world working environment, created with the needs of the people and businesses who are here every day in mind. These solutions don’t just point to what is possible; they are already helping us move toward a cleaner, more efficient freight system that supports our community and can serve as a model for others.”

Ryan Klem, director of programs for the Toyota Mobility Foundation, commented: “In strong collaboration with the City of Detroit and the Eastern Market Corporation, we are excited to announce today’s winners as well as acknowledge the contributions of all innovators who played a role in shaping the effort. Whether here in Detroit or around the world, the Toyota Mobility Foundation will continue to promote pragmatic solutions to make communities more sustainable, efficient, and functional.”

For more information, visit sustainablecitieschallenge.org

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STATEMENT: Bipartisan Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act Can Help Ignite US Energy Innovation

nate.shelter@wri.org — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:26:08 +0000

STATEMENT: Bipartisan Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act Can Help Ignite US Energy Innovation nate.shelter@wri.org Thu, 04/30/2026 - 16:26

WASHINGTON (April 30, 2026) — This week in the United States Congress, Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act.

This bipartisan legislation contains important measures to drive forward innovation on next-generation geothermal systems that provide a critical source of clean energy that is available 24/7. The research and development programs included in this bill can help support the broad suite of next-generation geothermal systems – including enhanced geothermal systems, closed loop systems, and geothermal systems in supercritical conditions. Bill provisions also help fill key information gaps to responsibly scaling next-generation geothermal energy, including a report on water use intensity.

Following is a statement from Christina DeConcini, Director of Government Affairs, WRI US:

“As the U.S. looks to address rising electricity demand, next-generation geothermal is an imperative piece of the solution set. Geothermal can provide clean, reliable energy around the clock.

“This bill would significantly boost U.S. leadership on this modern energy source by providing targeted investments to test and commercialize the next-generation of geothermal technologies. We urge lawmakers to pass this Act and scale up innovative geothermal systems.”

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Electric School Buses Deliver More Than Just a Clean Ride

alicia.cypress@wri.org — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:20:00 +0000

Electric School Buses Deliver More Than Just a Clean Ride alicia.cypress… Thu, 04/30/2026 - 08:20

Every day, millions of children ride to school in diesel buses that expose them to pollution linked to serious health issues. Replacing those buses with electric models has benefits that go far beyond a quieter ride and cleaner air.

Electric school buses can also save school districts and communities money, freeing up resources that can be reinvested back into the classroom. And, because electric school buses don't burn fossil fuels or emit dangerous greenhouse gases that trap heat in our atmosphere, they're much better for the climate, too.

Replacing old, diesel buses with electric alternatives can also bring manufacturing jobs to communities and cut down on electricity prices for consumers, while also supplying life-saving electricity during emergencies. They also bring benefits to underserved communities that have long borne the brunt of air pollution.

Switching from diesel to electric school buses don't just benefit the health of students riding the bus, but also drivers and anyone nearby. Photo by flySnow/iStock.

Better Health — And a Better Learning Environment

Most school buses in the U.S. today are diesel-burning. If you've ever waited in a bus line or stood next to an idling yellow school bus, you've probably noticed the smelly black fumes wafting out of the back of the vehicle's tailpipe — that's diesel exhaust pollution, which can cause asthma, cancer and respiratory issues. It's especially bad for kids, given their developing lungs.

This exhaust is so bad for health that it's been labeled a known carcinogen by the World Health Organization and recognized for its potential to cause cancer. Other carcinogens on that list include asbestos and tobacco. High levels of outdoor air pollution, like from vehicles or power plants, have been found to have similar impacts on students' lung function as exposure to maternal smoking.

Some people have reported headaches from inhaling these fumes after just a brief period, but the exhaust can also have longer, serious impacts on a child's development. Traffic related air pollution has been linked to short-term fluctuations in attention span in elementary students. Studies show that reducing exposure to air pollution from school buses has positive effects on students' test scores that could be equivalent to the benefits of smaller class sizes and increased teacher experience levels.

Diesel exhaust pollution can also cause asthma, which is one of the leading causes of absenteeism. Missing school can impact academic achievement, graduation and even job opportunities later in life. One study from the University of Michigan found that replacing all of the oldest school buses in the U.S. could lead to 1.3 million fewer daily absences annually.

Diesel-burning buses also make a lot of noise. They're so noisy that the levels are typically at or above 85 decibels, which is already above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization recommended noise exposure limits of 80 decibels. Electric buses are on average 20 decibels quieter than diesel-burning buses.

Too much noise pollution has been found to harm children's performance in verbal tasks and attention. One school district in West Virginia even found that there were fewer behavior disruptions on their electric school buses, and there was an overall positive shift in student behavior. Other districts observed that the lack of vibrations also benefited students with disabilities and those who have difficulties with processing sensory information, thanks to the reduced noise and sensations of the electric school bus.

Cost Savings for Schools and Taxpayers

Switching to electric school buses brings more than health benefits. It can save schools and communities money that could instead be used for student resources, teacher salaries and more.

Electric school buses have lower maintenance and fuel costs over time, so school districts spend less once the buses start operating. When combined with state or federal funding or innovative financing solutions to help cover upfront purchase costs, this means the total cost of ownership for an electric school bus can be hundreds of thousands of dollars less than a diesel-burning school bus.

Our research suggests that compared to a new diesel-burning school bus, a new electric school bus can save school districts on average $7,000 on operating costs each year.

That savings can be immediate. After the Cherokee Boys Club of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, N.C., switched to electric school buses, they saved hundreds of dollars in fuel costs during the first month, and have saved similarly each month since then.

Already, schools are putting these savings to good use.

Three Rivers Community Schools in Three Rivers, Mich., saved around $90,000 in fuel, maintenance and repair costs between the reopening of schools after the COVID-19 pandemic and August 2023. This money was returned to the school district's general fund and then used for instructional materials for students.

Fleming County Schools in rural Kentucky found that switching to electric school buses reduced energy costs by about 80% — from roughly 60 cents per mile for diesel to 12 cents per mile for electricity. The district initially projected monthly savings of $12,000 a month as of early 2025, with that figure expected to rise to $17,000 as the district adds more electric buses. Those savings are being reinvested in the classroom and funding a district-wide increase in teacher pay.

Electric school bus chargers in Fleming County, Kentucky. The school district has found significant cost savings by switching from diesel to electric school buses. Image by Electric School Bus Initiative/WRI.

Climate Benefits for Future Generations

People all over the world are dealing with more severe and more common natural disasters as a result of climate change, which is caused by greenhouse gas emissions, like the exhaust from diesel-burning school buses.

Electric school buses produce less than half of the greenhouse gas emissions of diesel- and propane-burning school buses, even when accounting for the production of the electricity used to charge the bus. That number is expected to continue to drop as more renewable energy, like wind and solar energy, become part of the grid. In fact, in regions of the U.S. with electric grids that are powered by lower-emissions energy sources, electric school buses account for as little as a quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions burned by diesel-burning school buses.

In 2022, the transportation sector accounted for the highest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. (28%). To stop the most devastating impacts of climate change and keep the planet healthy for today's students and future generations, the U.S. needs to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. Switching from fossil fuel-burning vehicles to electric transportation — including medium- and heavy-duty vehicles like school buses — can make an impactful difference.

The benefits of cutting emissions will be especially felt in low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by the worsening effects of climate change, like more extreme weather.

More Manufacturing Jobs Throughout the U.S.

Bringing these health, cost and climate benefits to communities nationwide also represents a major opportunity for a manufacturing renaissance across the country.

Already, school bus manufacturers are investing in electric school bus facilities needed to power this transition — and the jobs that come with them.

As of 2026, there are at least 21 manufacturing facilities of American-owned companies in 14 states making parts involved in the production of electric school buses. This is particularly impactful economically in California, Georgia, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina and Oklahoma, where major facilities are located. The industry continues to grow, with major electric school bus manufacturers announcing plans for hundreds of new manufacturing jobs combined in the coming years.

And that's just the companies that employ workers directly involved in producing electric school buses.

Electric school bus manufacturing also supports thousands of jobs in related industries. Each of the manufacturers and suppliers has a ripple effect, creating even more jobs from local third-party businesses including fabricators, wiring assemblers, bus seat producers and more. Jobs throughout the electric school bus supply chain support local economies and offer opportunities for workers to earn a good living.

Electrifying the transport sector overall is a huge opportunity for job creation in the U.S. One 2021 report projected that 10.7 million job-years could be created from the U.S. investing in electric vehicles, charging, supply chain, research and development, and workforce.

Electric school buses can bring more manufacturing jobs to communities. Image by Electric School Bus Initiative/WRI.

Building More Resilient Electric Grids

Electric vehicles like electric school buses can also drive down electricity costs for consumers by better utilizing the existing grid and spreading costs across more electric customers, without the need for significant grid investment.

Electric school buses, which have flexible, off-peak charging times, are particularly primed to drive down energy rates because they can charge overnight, when there's less demand on the grid, or during midday, when solar power helps create excess supply. Managed charging also helps make electric school bus charging even more efficient; this, as well as charging flexibility, sets the buses apart from other additions to the grid like data centers, which often need power during times of high demand. Research has found that between 2013 and 2024, electric vehicles as a whole have contributed $3.12 billion in net revenue to utilities, which in turn can deliver lower rates for all customers.

Electric school buses can also become a source of electricity to help power communities during extreme weather or other emergencies.

Using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, electric school buses can serve as "mobile batteries." For example, electric school buses that are set up for V2X use can provide emergency electric power to a school gymnasium that's serving as a hurricane shelter.

These grid resiliency efforts are already underway.

Knox County in Illinois established a first-of-its-kind mutual aid agreement between a county government, a local public school system and a school bus contractor that makes the county's electric school buses available to use as backup power in case of emergency. If there's a grid outage due to natural disasters like tornadoes or extreme heat waves, the county can use the buses to provide backup power for vital community needs, including medical support.

Taking advantage of the energy-supplying potential of electric school buses is especially impactful for underserved communities who may not have access to a resilient electric grid or who lack adequate resources to respond to extreme weather.

But it doesn't take a disaster for electric school buses to provide benefits to the electric grid. Using V2X technology can help improve grid flexibility and resiliency, present opportunities for compensation for grid services and enable the most efficient use of renewable energy. Having the electric school bus batteries available as offsite storage makes the grid stronger.

Vehicle-to-everything technology allows for electric school bus batteries to be used as a power supply in the case of emergencies. Image by TW Farlow Media/Shutterstock.

Benefits for Those Most Harmed by Diesel

Electric school buses provide benefits no matter where they're located because diesel exhaust pollution is bad for everyone. But some people and communities are more exposed to poor air quality and are more at risk of the dangers of air pollution. That's why the electric school bus transition offers an opportunity to reduce harmful pollution in the areas that need it most and to begin to address some historic wrongs.

Throughout the 20th century and into today, discriminatory practices in housing and transit development led to more pollution sources, like highways, being built closer to Black and Brown communities. Those decisions are having real impacts on the people who live in these locations.

Nationally, people of color are exposed to more diesel exhaust pollution and fine particulate air pollution — a type of pollution that's too small to see in the air and has negative health effects like respiratory issues and asthma. These communities are experiencing more air pollution than they are creating.

One study in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic found that communities of color face on-road fine particulate matter air pollution between 61% and 75% higher than white residents. Race and ethnicity are more significant factors in exposure to air pollution than income level in the U.S.

Asthma is one of the major concerns of diesel-burning school buses, and Black children, Hispanic children, Native American children and children from some Asian American communities are all more likely to suffer from asthma than their white counterparts.

Electric school buses offer an immediate way to start reducing the air pollution exposure of those who have been most harmed by diesel exhaust pollution.

For the transition to electric school buses to be equitable, it must intentionally benefit those most harmed by vehicle pollution. An equitable transition to electric school buses can involve prioritizing the most impacted populations for funding and ensuring communities are empowered to make decisions throughout the process.

At the local level, it can mean that school districts choose to put their first electric school buses on routes with the worst air quality, to immediately reduce pollution in those areas. It can also mean ensuring that workers from historically disadvantaged communities are recruited and trained for well-compensated electric school bus jobs with adequate benefits, protections and accessible working conditions.

As the transition to electric school buses accelerates, there are opportunities throughout to center equity and build a healthier future for everyone.

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Students riding an electric school bus. The benefits of electric school buses extend far beyond giving students a cleaner ride to school.

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RELEASE: Coalition to Develop First Standardized Guidance for Assessing and Managing Corporate Value Chain Water Risk

darla.vanhoorn@wri.org — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:28:17 +0000

RELEASE: Coalition to Develop First Standardized Guidance for Assessing and Managing Corporate Value Chain Water Risk darla.vanhoorn… Thu, 04/30/2026 - 02:28

As pressure on companies to act on water risk grows — without a common way to evaluate it — four leading organizations unite to build the guidance needed across value chains.

EMERYVILLE, CALIFORNIA (April 30, 2026) — A coalition of four leading sustainability organizations today announced the launch of an initiative to develop the first standardized guidance for assessing and managing corporate value chain water risk.

The announcement comes as water scarcity intensifies globally — disrupting supply chains, affecting production and costs and threatening key commodities. At the same time, companies face growing investor and regulatory pressure to disclose water impacts, without a common standard for doing so.

Today, over half the world's population — around 4 billion people — lives under highly water-stressed conditions for at least one month of the year. By 2050, nearly one-third of global GDP — $70 trillion — will be exposed to high water stress.

The initiative — Corporate Guidance for Assessing Water Scopes 1-3 in Value Chains — is led by SCS Global Services, World Resources Institute (WRI), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the CEO Water Mandate. It will produce a shared language and consistent methodology to help companies understand where water risks and impacts occur across their value chain, from suppliers to customers.

The initiative draws on the model of the GHG Protocol, which established Scope 1, 2 and 3 as standard categories for measuring corporate greenhouse gas emissions and helped enable large-scale climate action. The same principle — distinguishing direct operations (Scope 1), purchased inputs (Scope 2) and value chain activities (Scope 3) — has never been systematically applied to corporate water risk.

While many water-related frameworks exist, they don't speak the same language — leaving companies without a clear starting point and making it nearly impossible to compare performance or drive accountability at scale. Water Scopes 1–3 will address this by providing a shared foundation to help use existing tools more effectively.

Together, the four organizations bring a proven track record and complementary expertise in corporate water risk and environmental standards — combining the technical, conservation and advocacy leadership needed to build guidance with credibility and reach.

"For many companies, the greatest water risks and impacts lie in their supply chain or in the end use of their products, yet attention remains stubbornly focused on direct operations. This guidance will help companies identify and act on the most effective levers to unlock positive water impacts – and greater resilience – across the value chain," said Sara Walker, Director of Corporate Water Engagement and Acting Global Water Lead, World Resources Institute.

"Regulators are asking companies to disclose water risk. Investors are asking companies to disclose water risk. What nobody has given them is a common framework for doing it. That's the gap we aim to close," said Lauren Enright, Program Manager, Water Stewardship, SCS Global Services.

"We have long known that the biggest water impacts for most sectors are in corporate supply chains. Bringing clarity to value chain reporting will enable us to better understand who is taking action on material impacts and dependencies, and strengthen efforts to safeguard freshwater ecosystems," said Alexis Morgan, Global Water Stewardship Lead, WWF.

“Extending the principles of Positive Water Impact from direct operations into the supply chain is a significant challenge for companies. It demands not only enhanced collaboration with suppliers but also an understanding of risks and a commitment to transparency and sustainable practices that often involve navigating complex ecosystems. This transition is essential, as water stewardship throughout the entire value chain is crucial for mitigating risks, enhancing brand reputation, and driving long-term business resilience," said Gregg Brill, Technical Lead, CEO Water Mandate.

The guidance will be developed over 18 months through a transparent, multi-stakeholder process. A public comment period is planned for month 12, with final guidance targeted for Q4 2027. The framework will help companies identify water impacts across operations, supply chains and product use — and connect to existing disclosure systems like CDP and AWS, not replace them.

Companies, non-governmental organizations, foundations and experts are invited to participate as sponsors or working group members. For more information or to express interest, visit https://www.scsstandards.org/water-scopes.

About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

About World Resources Institute (WRI)
WRI works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

About WWF
The mission of WWF is to stop the global destruction of the environment and shape a future in which people and nature can live together in harmony. In order to fulfil this mission, WWF is dedicated to preserving global biodiversity. WWF also fights to reduce the use of natural resources to a sustainable level. In order to meet its objectives, WWF works at four levels: in the field, with companies, in the political arena and with the citizens.

About CEO Water Mandate
The CEO Water Mandate is a partnership between the UN Global Compact and the Pacific Institute that mobilizes business leaders on water, sanitation, and the Sustainable Development Goals for corporate water stewardship. Mandate endorsers commit to continuous progress against six core elements (direct operations, supply chain and watershed management, collective action, public policy, community engagement, and transparency) and in so doing understand and manage their own water risks. Established in 2007, the CEO Water Mandate was created out of the acknowledgement that global water challenges create risk for a wide range of industry sectors, the public sector, local communities, and ecosystems alike.

About the UN Global Compact
As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our vision is clear: to mobilize business to transform sustainability ambition into action at the scale the world demands. With more than 25,000 participants and a presence in over 100 countries through 5 Regional Hubs and more than 70 Country Networks and expansion territories, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.

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STATEMENT: Coalition of Nations Gathered in Colombia to Chart Future Beyond Fossil Fuels

nate.shelter@wri.org — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:06:51 +0000

STATEMENT: Coalition of Nations Gathered in Colombia to Chart Future Beyond Fossil Fuels nate.shelter@wri.org Wed, 04/29/2026 - 17:06

SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA (April 29, 2026) — More than 50 governments gathered in a high-level conference in Santa Marta, Colombia concluding today. The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels marked the formation of a new coalition of frontrunner nations to work together to accelerate clean energy deployment and phase out coal, oil and gas.

Held amid the global energy market crisis prompted by the outbreak of war on Iran, the meeting included representatives from major economies, fossil fuel-producing nations and low- and middle-income countries, as well as researchers, Indigenous Peoples, finance experts and academia. National and subnational governments examined policy and financial mechanisms to expand clean energy in emerging economies and manage the economic impacts on workers and communities. The meeting is an important milestone ahead of the upcoming COP31 UN climate summit in Turkey.

The following is a statement from Nick Robins, Senior Director, Finance and Private Sector, World Resources Institute:

"In a historic first, more than 50 governments convened in Santa Marta, Colombia to chart a future beyond fossil fuels and accelerate the shift to a clean energy system. The resounding message from participating countries was that fossil fuels are a systemic source of economic and financial instability, undermining health and driving catastrophic climate damage.

“Santa Marta delivered a new way of making climate progress by bringing together a group of nations from both the Global North and the Global South, from the major economies of the G20 and the most vulnerable small island states. What unites these front-running nations is the willpower to work through the tough and necessary imperative of transforming the global energy system together.

“The gathering offered a grounded and hopeful response to the continuing energy shocks. Over 130 countries worldwide have introduced emergency measures in recent weeks. Countries examined how the crisis response can accelerate the shift to a clean, cheap, and—crucially—stable energy system and how to avoid locking in deeper fossil fuel dependence. Since the crisis began, many solutions are already scaling, with growing uptake of solar panels and electric vehicles. Cooperation between the Santa Marta countries can help this go further and make it more inclusive.

“At the meeting, governments focused on expanding clean energy access, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and sharing lessons on delivering just transitions that create good jobs and prosperous communities.

“Overcoming financing gaps was a central theme. Governments and financial experts focused on reducing the cost of capital, expanding concessional finance from multilateral development banks and increasing flows of long-term private capital. The driving desire to rebuild stability has led to a new focus on the positive role that central banks can play in enabling the transition through monetary and prudential policy.

“Here, WRI co-chaired the central bank workstream of a major Science and Policy forum that brought together over 400 researchers to provide a strong evidence base of proposals for governments, the Santa Marta Action Repertoire. Current and former central bankers from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the European Union, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay took part along with academics, policymakers and civil society. A new Santa Marta Transition and Financial Stability Group has been launched by WRI and LINGO to create a community of practice for research, dialogue and policy action.

“The Science Panel on the Global Energy Transition unveiled in Santa Marta should also prove valuable by cutting through a mountain of data and competing models to offer decision-makers clear transition pathways that are practical to implement.

“Looking ahead, the focus of the coalition forged in Santa Marta will be on implementation back at home. One practical way this can happen is for countries to draw up their own national roadmaps to transition away from fossil fuels, following in the footsteps of both France and Colombia.

“The Santa Marta meeting will undoubtedly inspire action more broadly, not least to galvanize more countries to act and will boost the UN climate negotiations. Brazil, as the president of last year’s COP30 climate summit, took part at Santa Marta and has led the way by opening up a dialogue for a global roadmap to a fossil-free future within the UNFCCC. In the run-up to the COP31 summit in Turkey, a focus will be on translating this momentum into stronger cooperation on scaling up clean energy and phasing out fossil fuels in an inclusive and orderly way. The next meeting of the Santa Marta coalition of the willing is set to be in Tuvalu in early 2027.”

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RELEASE: Tropical Rainforest Loss Drops 36% in 2025, but Fires Threaten Global Progress

sophie.brady@wri.org — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:28:42 +0000

RELEASE: Tropical Rainforest Loss Drops 36% in 2025, but Fires Threaten Global Progress sophie.brady@wri.org Wed, 04/29/2026 - 11:28

Forest loss declined, driven largely by Brazil — but overall loss remains high as fires pose a rising threat, according to annual analysis from WRI’s Global Forest Watch.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (29 April, 2026) — Tropical rainforest loss fell 36% in 2025 from the record high of 2024, according to new data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD Lab, available on World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch platform and Global Nature Watch.

The findings suggest that strong policies and enforcement can curb forest loss. However, climate-driven fires are a dangerous new normal, threatening to reverse recent gains.

In 2025, the world lost 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) of tropical primary rainforest, an area roughly the size of Denmark. Despite the decline, loss remains 46% higher than a decade ago, with primary forests disappearing at a rate of 11 football (soccer) fields every minute.

“A drop of this scale in a single year is encouraging — it shows what decisive government action can achieve,” said Elizabeth Goldman, Co-Director of Global Forest Watch, World Resources Institute. “But part of the decline reflects a lull after an extreme fire year. Fires and climate change are feeding off each other, and with El Niño on the horizon for 2026, investments in prevention and response will be critical as extreme fire conditions become the norm.”

Despite recent progress, global forest loss remains far above the level required to meet the 2030 goal of halting and reversing forest loss, a commitment made by more than 140 countries under the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration. Current levels are about 70% too high.

Tropical primary forests are vital for climate stability, biodiversity and the millions who depend on them for food, income and protection from extreme weather. Their loss releases vast amounts of carbon and weakens one of the planet’s most important natural defenses against climate change.

Policy Progress Drives Declines in Key Countries

Much of the global reduction was driven by Brazil, home to the world’s largest rainforest. In 2025, Brazil cut non-fire primary forest loss by 41% compared to 2024, reaching its lowest level on record.

The decline coincides with stronger environmental policies and enforcement under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, including the relaunch of the PPCDAm federal anti-deforestation plan and increased penalties for environmental crimes.

Although Brazil still has the largest absolute area of primary forest loss due to its size, its rate relative to forest area (0.5%) is now lower than several other tropical countries.

“Brazil’s progress shows what's possible when forest protection is treated as a national priority,” said Mirela Sandrini, Executive Director, WRI Brasil. “But Brazil's landscape is becoming more flammable, and growing fire risk means enforcement alone won't be enough. Protecting these gains will require scaling community-led prevention and building an economy that rewards standing forests.”

Other countries also showed progress. Indonesia and Malaysia maintained relatively low rates of primary forest loss, while Colombia reversed a spike seen in 2024. Progress in these countries reflected improved governance, recognition of Indigenous land rights and corporate commitments to deforestation-free production.

“Indonesia managed to keep forest loss largely under control in recent years, supported by policies that limit new forest clearing and give communities greater rights to manage forests,” said Arief Wijaya, Managing Director, WRI Indonesia. “That shows a strong commitment to more sustainable land use. But rising economic pressures could test that progress — and whether it can hold under pressure will depend on how well growth is balanced with climate and nature.”

“Colombia’s story is one of fragile progress: deforestation slowed not because pressure eased, but because governance held the line”, said Joaquín Carrizosa, Senior Advisor, WRI Colombia. “2026 will be the real test — without sustained enforcement and economic alternatives to clearing forests, this progress could quickly reverse. There's a credible path to lasting change: increase investment in protecting the Amazon, back Indigenous leadership and build local economies that rely on forests staying intact.”

Fires Emerge as a Growing Global Threat

While agricultural expansion remains the leading driver of tree cover loss overall, fires were a major contributor in 2025, accounting for 42% of the 25.5 million hectares (63.1 million acres) of tree cover loss worldwide, an area slightly larger than the United Kingdom.

Climate change is increasing fire risk by creating hotter, drier conditions that allow fires to spread more easily. In turn, these fires release vast amounts of stored carbon, accelerating climate change and reinforcing a dangerous feedback loop.

While fire risk is growing in the tropics — where most fires are human-caused — the most visible impacts in 2025 were in boreal and temperate regions, where climate change is intensifying naturally occurring fire cycles.

Fire-driven loss was especially severe in Canada, where wildfires burned 5.3 million hectares (13.0 million acres), making 2025 the country’s second-worst fire year on record. Significant fires were also recorded in parts of southern Europe.

"Climate change and land clearing have shortened the fuse on global forest fires," said Matthew Hansen, Professor at the University of Maryland and GLAD Lab Director. “They are turning seasonal disturbances into a near-permanent state of emergency. Without urgent action to stop burning and manage fire more effectively, we risk pushing the world’s most important forests past recovery.”

Loss Remains High in Other Regions

Forest loss remained high in countries including Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Peru, Laos and Madagascar. Drivers vary by region, but include agricultural expansion, mining, fire and local reliance on forests for food and fuel.

Bolivia recorded its second-highest level of primary forest loss on record after severe fires in 2024 and now ranks second for tropical primary forest loss — surpassing the Democratic Republic of the Congo despite Bolivia having 60% less primary forest.

“In Bolivia, as in many other countries, forest loss is closely tied to agricultural expansion, with fire often used to clear and prepare land for production,” said Stasiek Czaplicki Cabezas, a Bolivian researcher and data journalist for Revista Nómadas. “Those ties keep pressure on forests persistently high. Breaking this cycle will require tighter controls on fire and hard restrictions on land conversion in forest areas.”

In the Congo Basin, primary forest loss continues in several countries. In the DRC, total loss dipped slightly in 2025, but non-fire loss hit a record high, largely linked to small-scale farming, firewood and charcoal production, conflict-related displacement, and pressure from mining.

“There’s progress in parts of the Congo Basin, but in others deforestation remains alarmingly high,” said Teodyl Nkuintchua, Congo Basin Strategy and Engagement Lead, WRI Africa. “Mining is a far greater indirect driver of deforestation than previously recognized, and forest loss is happening even in community-managed areas. Support and investment are essential to making community forest management viable and enabling Indigenous Peoples and local communities to meet their basic needs.”

Scaling Action to Get on Track for 2030

Meeting global forest goals will depend not only on sustained political leadership and investment, but also on how key policy and financial developments unfold — including whether the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) secures sufficient funding and how effectively regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) are implemented and enforced.

“The progress we’re seeing in countries like Brazil and Colombia is heartening — but far from assured,” said Rod Taylor, Global Director of Forests, World Resources Institute. “These are inspiring examples of what can be done to curb deforestation, but also a reminder of how much the fate of our forests hinges on political will and the resilience that can be built now in the face of a changing climate.”

2026 will put that to the test — with El Niño likely to intensify fire risk and national elections in several forest countries poised to shape whether progress continues.

Technological Innovation on the Horizon

Next year, the release of the tree cover loss data will be fully integrated into Global Nature Watch, WRI's AI-powered platform built on peer-reviewed research from Global Forest Watch and Land & Carbon Lab. With a simple, chat-style interface, it makes complex land data easy to explore.

Over the coming year, Global Nature Watch will expand to deliver the full depth of analysis and country-level insight that users rely on today from Global Forest Watch, making vast amounts of data more accessible, timely and actionable than ever before.

“Last year’s progress in reducing forest loss shows what’s possible, but with El Niño set to raise the stakes, now is the moment to double down and turn gains into lasting protection,” said Dr. Kelly Levin, Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change at the Bezos Earth Fund, a founding partner of Global Nature Watch. “With tree cover loss data available through Global Nature Watch, it will be easier for people working to protect and restore nature to spot change earlier and respond with confidence.”

About the annual Tree Cover Loss data analysis

World Resource Institute’s Global Forest Watch provides annual analysis of global tree cover loss, showing when and where forests are disappearing. The data — produced by the GLAD (Global Land Analysis & Discovery) Lab at the University of Maryland — captures changes at approximately 30 × 30-meter resolution across all global land areas, except Antarctica and other Arctic islands.

Learn more about the tree cover loss data methodology and how it compares with other official deforestation estimates.

This year the data will also be available on Global Nature Watch, an open, AI-powered system developed by WRI that combines peer-reviewed research from Global Forest Watch and Land & Carbon Lab in a simple, chat-style interface.

Notes to Editors:

Media Contact:

For more information, or to request the full dataset, graphics and analysis, please contact:

Darla van Hoorn (darla.vanhoorn@wri.org)
Sophie Brady (Sophie.brady@wri.org)
Kaitlyn Thayer (Kaitlyn.thayer@wri.org).

About World Resources Institute
WRI works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

About Global Forest Watch
Global Forest Watch (GFW) provides data and tools for monitoring forests and insights on where and why they are changing. By harnessing cutting-edge technology, GFW allows anyone to access near real-time information about where and how forests are changing around the world. Since its launch in 2014, over 9 million people have visited GFW from 170+ countries.

About University of Maryland GLAD Lab
The Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) laboratory in the Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland investigates methods, causes and impacts of global land surface change. Earth observation imagery are the primary data source and land cover extent and change the primary topic of interest. The lab is led by Dr. Matthew Hansen. The research team is diverse with representation from the following countries: USA, China, Brazil, Cameroon, Pakistan, India, Ghana, DRCongo, Russia, Colombia. Full-time researchers work on a variety of land cover investigations, ranging from global forest change to national-scale crop type area mapping and estimation. Find UMD GLAD on LinkedIn.

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