World Resources Institute

This grant to the World Resources Institute will fund the continuation of the Track II climate dialogue between senior nongovernmental advisors and former statesmen from the U.S. and China. These talks provide the opportunity to raise and address issues in less-formal forums and build trust for the time when climate policy is back on the agenda of the U.S. and China. The project will work with actors from across the political spectrum with the aim of building ambition on both sides. This grant will support convening and analysis.

The goal of the World Resources Institute’s Sustainable Cities Program in China is to ensure that cities drive economic opportunity, while mitigating pollution, sustaining natural resources, and improving quality of life. China is the largest carbon emitter in the world, and transport emissions are a significant part given the rapid urban and vehicle growth in cities. By 2030, transport will be 33 percent of China’s total carbon emissions. With this grant, the Institute will work on scaling up the Low Emissions Zone and Congestion Charging mechanisms in Beijing to 10-20 other cities in China. The instruments will contribute to solving three problems: air pollution, carbon emission, and traffic congestion.

The World Resources Institute will provide funding to Washington State to allow the governor to increase staff capacity to explore and advance state climate policies, strengthen collaboration on regional climate action with other Western states, and support a national partnership of governors working together toward state climate and clean energy goals.