Research & Resources

Providing knowledge and data to harness the power of forests and nature

Cities4Forests’ work is grounded in peer-reviewed research, in line with the World Resources Institute’s rigorous research quality standards. Explore our catalogue of research products including reports, guidelines, and methodologies below.

A body of water surrounded by three distinct areas of land with trees and buildings.
Research

Natural Infrastructure for Water in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte

Natural infrastructure offers many opportunities to improve water quality and create other benefits for metropolitan areas. Cit…

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A bridge surrounded on both sides by water, headed into a city with a tree-covered coastline.
Research

Natural Infrastructure for Water in the Metropolitan Region of Greater Vitória

Forests and other forms of native vegetation can serve as effective nature-based solutions for water resource management. They …

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Research

Natural Infrastructure for Water in Campinas (SP) and Region

Natural infrastructure can be a vital addition to water systems. They can make these systems more resilient, effective, and cos…

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A small patch of water sitting within a hilly brown and green landscape.
Research

Incorporating Natural Infrastructure in Bogotá’s Water System

The city of Bogotá, Colombia, faces an array of complex water challenges. Crumbling infrastructure, water contamination, and cl…

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A landscape view of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Research

Natural Infrastructure in São Paulo’s Water System

Natural infrastructure solutions are cost-effective ways to bring a suite of benefits to water systems, allowing them to perfor…

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A landscape view of Rio de Janeiro
Research

Natural Infrastructure for Water in the Guandu System, Rio de Janeiro

Forests and trees are essential to water security. They can filter sediments, nutrients and solid waste, preventing waterways p…

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Better Forests, Better Cities
Research

Better Forests, Better Cities

Cities and forests face distinct but connected challenges. As more and more people move to urban areas, city leaders need to pr…

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Research

Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Supplemental Guidance for Forests and Trees

Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories are essential tools to help cities act against climate change. However, many cities are missin…

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Resource

Forest Footprint for Cities

The Forest Footprint helps cities measure and address their impact on tropical deforestation and associated carbon emissions. A…

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Nature-Based Solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa
Research

The Potential for Nature-Based Solutions Initiatives to Incorporate and Scale Climate Adaptation

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are approaches to reverse natural resource degradation and biodiversity loss in a way that also pr…

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Forest Footprint for Cities
Research

Forest Footprint for Cities: Methods for Estimating Deforestation and Associated CO2 Emissions Embodied in Products Consumed in Cities

The products that cities consume have major impacts on tropical and subtropical forests, as these products can contribute to de…

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Resource

Learning Guide: Urban Forests for Healthier Cities

A lush botanical garden. A quiet pocket park along a mall. Tall, old trees in a schoolyard. Small sanctuaries like these make u…

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Resource

Learning Guide: Social Equity Considerations for Cities’ Decision Making Related to Inner, Nearby, and Faraway Forests

When a city decides to invest in forest programs and nature-based solutions, it’s easy to only focus on the environmental benef…

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Conservation
Resource

Urban Forest Policy Library

How have other cities around the world crafted policies to protect, manage and grow their urban forests? How can your own city …

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Resource

Cities4Forests Toolbox

How do city officials invest in the conservation and management of inner, nearby, or faraway forests to achieve their city goal…

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Research

Green-Gray Assessment: How to Assess the Costs and Benefits of Green Infrastructure for Water Supply Systems

Healthy watersheds and forests play a vital role in water supply infrastructure systems. They can store and moderate water flow…

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