Focus on Arts and Ecology

Dear Jon​​​​,

From devastating floods in Pakistan and Africa to scorching heat in India, rising temperatures are wreaking havoc on communities around the world. No one feels these impacts more acutely than the more than 3.3 billion people living in countries highly vulnerable to climate change. 

The COP27 summit in Egypt can help us address the urgency of the climate crisis – if three things happen:
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• First, accountability. At COP27, countries should stand by their pledge to strengthen their emissions-reduction targets while nations, companies and others must show that they are turning their other commitments from Glasgow and earlier into action.
• Second, solidarity. Vulnerable countries and communities urgently need financial support to adapt to climate impacts, address loss and damage and ensure a just transition where no one is left behind. Developed countries need to step up to the plate.
• And finally, innovation. This summit must offer viable solutions to address the food and energy crises in Africa and elsewhere. 

I encourage you to take part in our event series ahead of the summit, including important conversations on what’s at stake for Africa at COP27 (on Oct. 18) and how to jump-start and finance a just transition (held yesterday morning – a recording will be posted soon). We will also host dozens of events on-site at the summit. 

Please visit our COP27 Resource Hub to learn more about what the negotiations must deliver, as well as discover our recent articles, publications and upcoming events.

World Resources Institute staff are working hard every day to address the priorities listed above through our close partnerships, rigorous research and innovative data platforms that offer decision-makers with the insights necessary for action. 

Here is a small taste of what WRI is bringing to COP27:
 

• The ACT2025 consortium, in which WRI is a member, produces research that responds to priorities of climate-vulnerable countries at COP27, such as addressing loss and damage and doubling adaptation finance. Watch their event held last week, How to Achieve a Just and Ambitious Outcome at COP27.
• Later this month, WRI will publish Not Just Carbon, a major report that demonstrates how forests have overwhelmingly positive contributions to the climate beyond just storing carbon.
• WRI and partners will release two powerful tools to hold countries accountable. The State of Climate Action 2022 report will quantify the gap in climate action across all major sectors to limit warming to 1.5 C. Systems Change Lab will also unveil a new open-source data platform that tracks action necessary by 2030 and beyond to tackle climate change, halt biodiversity loss and build a just economy.
• During COP27, WRI and partners will announce $2 billion or more in additional funds towards restoring 100 million hectares of land in Africa by 2030, co-launch the African Cities Water Adaptation Fund to finance urban water resilience at scale, and co-host the first ever Food Systems Pavilion to highlight how to accelerate the transition to healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems for all.

I look forward to seeing many dedicated advocates, partners and government leaders in Sharm el Sheikh. With all our efforts combined, we can still achieve a world that keeps the worst of the climate crisis at bay so people and nature can thrive. 

Warm regards,
Ani Dasgupta

President & CEO
World Resources Institute
WRI.org