Our Approach

As the world’s most populous nation, India faces complex and urgent choices that will shape its future — and that of the planet. The promise of inclusive economic growth and sustainable livelihoods for over 1.4 billion people is within reach. But this promise is threatened by rapid urbanization and the impacts of climate change, from withering heat to devastating floods, grow ever more destructive. Much as today’s challenges are interconnected, so, too, are the solutions.  

WRI India is committed to turning this moment of crisis into a moment of transformation. Through data-driven research, bold ideas, and scalable, actionable solutions, we aim to enable low-impact, resilient, and equitable development for all. 

WRI India works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. We focus on transforming the human systems that profoundly impact people, nature and the climate. This includes how we manage food, land and water; produce and use energy; and design and manage cities. To enable change at the pace and scale needed, we also work to engage with the economic, financial and governance structures that shape people’s decisions and behavior.  We work with a diverse range of stakeholders to develop pathways toward equitable, low-carbon, and resilient economies that are tailored to local contexts. And we measure our success not by internal benchmarks but by visible progress.

This bold vision requires a formula for success. We call ours “Count It. Change It. Scale It.” 

Our work is guided by timely, independent research. WRI India experts use cutting-edge methods to collect and analyze data, pinpoint problems, assess potential solutions and evaluate real-world outcomes. Our research is subject to rigorous peer reviews to ensure it is both credible and actionable.

WRI India's landscape restoration project in Sidhi has the potential to create jobs for 30,000 people and generate INR 710 million through income and development of value chains around six key tree species. This project showcases a pathway to scale landscape restoration through demonstration effects, implementation, fostering collaborative planning, reducing policy barriers, and building capacities of key stakeholders.

We then use our research to inform action on the ground. We start locally, partnering with communities, companies and government agencies to pilot innovative solutions with widespread potential. We help clear barriers to implementation and then monitor progress to learn what works — and what doesn’t.  

We're working with Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to equip workers in automotive and textiles sectors with green skills. In collaboration with industry associations, skilling agencies, financial institutions and the government, we piloted training in Surat and Chennai-Coimbatore, helping businesses manage climate impacts and adopt sustainable practices. These pilots offered valuable insights to improve future skilling programs, with a strong focus on empowering women and low-income workers to ensure a just and inclusive transition.

Once tested, we strive to expand our successes nationally, regionally and globally. We work with stakeholders ranging from community members to national governments to adapt leading approaches to their needs and mobilize resources. And we make our learnings accessible through partnerships, publications and tools so others can follow suit.

WRI India experts spent over two years working side-by-side with the government to develop a national electric bus plan that will deploy tens of thousands of e-buses in cities across the country. This deep local engagement is informing other countries how to scale up local e-bus adoption and spur global momentum toward cleaner public transport.