全球智库信息集成服务系统

Why Did Our Emissions Increase?

WRI’s impact is growing, creating more positive environmental and social outcomes. To achieve these, our organization has also grown, which has had a direct connection to our GHG emissions. Some examples include:

• Sub-grants to partners ¹ increased by $1.4 million USD in 2011, contributing to a 37 percent rise in emissions from our partners.

• We purchased construction services and furniture (both GHG-intensive activities) to expand our offices, driving a 43 percent rise in emissions from purchased goods and services.

• We increased office space in our Beijing and Washington, DC locations, requiring more energy for everyday activities (heating, cooling, lighting, etc.) and causing a 14 percent rise in purchased electricity.

We have had some successes – for example, our employee commuting emissions have remained relatively constant over the years despite our increasing number of staff. However, as WRI continues to expand, we need to think outside the box and find ways to decouple WRI’s emissions from our growth and increasing real world outcomes.

Reducing Emissions Now and in the Future

Our 2011 inventory proves that we must do more to reach our goals. But with the right strategies, we are certain that we can get on track. As we focus on decoupling growth and cement our “avoid and shift” strategies, we will continue to update our annual progress and share our challenges and successes. We look to turn this emissions challenge into an opportunity for WRI to further innovate our business model and exemplify the change we want to see in the world.