Manish Bapna

Executive Vice President and Managing Director

Bio

Manish Bapna is the executive vice president and managing director of the World Resources Institute, a global research organization that works to address six urgent sustainability challenges: food, forests, water, climate, energy and cities. He served as WRI’s acting president from 2011-2012.

Manish oversees WRI’s programs, chairs WRI’s management team and works to strengthen the impact of WRI research. Under his leadership, the institute has established offices in China, India and Brazil and initiated programs on cities, water, adaptation, and the sustainable development goals.

Before joining WRI in 2007, Manish was executive director of the nonprofit Bank Information Center (BIC), whose mission is to protect rights and promote sustainability in the projects and policies of international financial institutions.

Manish also served as a senior economist and task team leader at the World Bank, where he led multidisciplinary teams in designing and implementing water, watershed, and rural development projects in Asia and Latin America. Several of these projects received "excellence awards" by the Bank and were highly rated in independent evaluations. Earlier, he worked as a strategy consultant for McKinsey & Company in the financial services and technology industries.

As a recognized expert on international development with a focus on natural resources and rural poverty, Manish has been cited in front-page articles in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the International Herald Tribune and his op-eds are featured in major global and national papers. He has testified numerous times before the U.S. Congress and serves on the board of directors of Oxfam America, Open Government Partnership and Hampshire College.

Manish received graduate degrees from Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School and an undergraduate degree from MIT. He is married to Geeta Nanda and they have two children, Laila and Arav.

Other Publications

World Resources Report 2008 (Chair, Steering Committee)
World Resources Report 2010-2011 (Chair, Steering Committee)
New Climate Economy (Core project team)

Blog Posts

Getting It Right: A New Global Model to Tackle Poverty and Climate Change
by Manish Bapna - May 19, 2015
The international community has a rare opportunity in 2015 to confront two linked global challenges: extreme poverty and climate change. Success will depend on whether or not we can develop a new model for global cooperation.
Let's Make It Earth and Prosperity Day
by Manish Bapna - April 22, 2015
Poverty alleviation and environmental protection have historically moved on parallel tracks. This year’s Earth Day highlights a new direction: Its theme is global citizenship, with a goal of economic growth and sustainability.
What do Apple, Citi and Shell Have in Common?
by Manish Bapna - February 23, 2015
Manish Bapna takes a closer look at corporate sustainability trends and its global shift toward low-carbon energy.
US-India Climate Partnership Can Benefit Environment and Economy
by David Waskow and Manish Bapna - January 27, 2015
The new U.S.-India agreement on climate change will help turn India’s bold renewable energy targets into reality.

Rather than relying on one major plank, the collaboration is a comprehensive set of actions that represent a substantial step in advancing low-carbon development in India while also promoting economic growth and expanding energy access.
Globalizing Sustainable Development
by Manish Bapna and Kitty van der Heijden - January 23, 2015
Between now and September 2015, when heads of state will gather for the UN General Assembly, we have a historic chance to set the world on a more sustainable path that will eradicate poverty and enhance prosperity for all.

Over the coming months, however, leaders must work together to set the world on the right course to realize this vision.
As Obama and Modi Meet, 4 Opportunities for US-India Action on Clean Energy and Climate
by David Waskow and Manish Bapna - January 21, 2015
All eyes are on India this week, as President Obama is set to make an unprecedented second trip to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While the leaders’ discussions will address several issues, including nuclear energy and trade, climate and clean energy will be a central part of the agenda. So it’s a tremendous opportunity for the two countries to make substantive progress on shifting to low-carbon, climate-resilient pathways.
2014 Record-Breaking Heat is Bad for Business
by Manish Bapna and C. Forbes Tompkins - January 16, 2015
Recent research from the New Climate Economy Report reveals that climate action can bring economic benefits.

By urging governments and other stakeholders to enact responsible policies on climate, multi-national corporations can help shift public perception away from the false dichotomy of “environment vs. economy” and create the political conditions for progress.
The Top 5 Energy and Climate Stories of 2014
by Manish Bapna - December 22, 2014
Oil prices are plummeting, the United States and China made a major joint climate announcement, and renewable energy reached price parity with coal in a growing number of markets. Iconic tech companies—including Google and Apple—are playing a larger role in both renewable energy and home energy efficiency.

Against this backdrop, 2014 is on track to go down as the world’s hottest year ever recorded. Already, the first 10 months of 2014 have been the hottest on record globally. This is a troubling trend.
India’s Energy Moment: Ready for a Low-Carbon Future?
by Manish Bapna - December 08, 2014
In a blog post originally published for National Geographic, Manish Bapna discusses India's low carbon future.
Climate Action: Reduce Risk, Maximize Opportunities
by Manish Bapna - September 29, 2014
A new report delivers a simple, but powerful message: economic growth and climate action can be achieved together. Drawing on new evidence and hundreds of real-world examples, it focuses on opportunities to shift three key economic systems: energy, land use, and cities.

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Manish Bapna

Getting It Right: A New Global Model to Tackle Poverty and Climate Change

Let's Make It Earth and Prosperity Day

What do Apple, Citi and Shell Have in Common?

US-India Climate Partnership Can Benefit Environment and Economy

Globalizing Sustainable Development

As Obama and Modi Meet, 4 Opportunities for US-India Action on Clean Energy and Climate

2014 Record-Breaking Heat is Bad for Business

The Top 5 Energy and Climate Stories of 2014

India’s Energy Moment: Ready for a Low-Carbon Future?

Climate Action: Reduce Risk, Maximize Opportunities

Enabling Adaptation

Priorities for Supporting the Rural Poor in a Changing Climate

Financing Adaptation

Opportunities for Innovation and Experimentation

Seizing the Moment

WRI's Five-Year Strategic Plan...

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Environmental democracy: an essential right for the 21st century

India ranks 24th in the first Environmental Democracy Index - The Economic Times

Malaysia ranks 69 out of 70 in US green index