World Resources Institute: Putting People First and Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration
- World Climate Foundation
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Delivering the climate transition depends on what we can achieve together. Building a resilient future requires prioritising everyday human needs and uniting across all sectors of society.
At the World Climate Investment Summit 2026 in London, Janneke de Vries, Director European Union at the World Resources Institute, shares her perspective on the importance of putting people at the centre of the climate transition and fostering the cross-sector cooperation needed to secure Europe's future.
Watch the full interview below:
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation with Janneke de Vries.
1. Put people at the heart of the climate conversation
For Janneke, the single most important action to build a more resilient future is to put people first.
While some may argue that the public does not care about climate change, she says climate issues are deeply embedded in everyday life.
People want lower energy bills, sustainable food on the table, and the ability to spend time with their children in nature. The primary challenge is to make it much clearer to the public just how vital climate action is for our collective future.
2. Cross-sector collaboration is essential for Europe’s prosperity
Navigating today's challenges and opportunities requires recognising that we can only succeed together. Janneke highlights that for Europe, the only viable way forward is through deep cooperation across all sectors.
Working together is absolutely essential for Europe to become more independent, drive energy prices down, increase competitiveness, ensure security, and maintain high wellbeing.
3. Step out of your comfort zone and look to the long term
Janneke’s call to action for leaders is to step out of their comfort zones. She urges decision-makers to look beyond short-term thinking and focus on the longer term to truly make the climate transition work.
The transition to a sustainable future will not be achieved in isolation. It will require prioritizing people's everyday needs, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and taking long-term, courageous action to create a resilient society.
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