Global Environmental Think Tank Development Report, 2025

Why in news?

The Global Environmental Think Tank Development Report 2025 was released.

• Global Environmental Think Tank Development Report 2025 – It is a comprehensive global assessment that maps out the landscape, research capabilities, and policy impact of environmental think tanks worldwide.
• Officially unveiled in Beijing and later featured at the International Symposium of Environmental Think Tanks.
• Launched by - Institute for Green Innovation and Development (IGID), a science and technology think tank co-established by Zhejiang University of Technology and the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences.

Key Findings

• Global Scale – The report meticulously maps 896 environmental think tanks across 97 countries, examining their institutional profiles, research outputs, policy engagement, and public influence.
• Geographical Distribution – The United States leads globally with 149 think tanks, followed by China with 121.
• Europe and North America remain the dominant hubs for these institutions, while Africa continues to lag behind due to a lack of direct government funding.
• Developed vs. Developing Divide – A key highlight of the report is the stark disparity in funding, institutional strength, and research capacity between think tanks in developed countries and those in developing regions.
• Institutional Highlights – The report features a global ranking of the "Top 100 Environmental Think Tanks" alongside sub-category leaders.
• China's Rise – China shows rapid momentum, placing eight think tanks in the global Top 100.
• Chinese institutions performed exceptionally well in specialised sub-fields, with six topping the list for Environmental Pollution Control and another six acing the Biodiversity & Ecosystems categories.
• India's Representation – The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), based in New Delhi, was ranked among the world's Top 100.
• It also broke into the Top 50 globally across three vital categories –
  • Environmental Pollution Control,
  • Biodiversity & Ecosystems, and
  • Sustainable Development.
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) – It is an Indian public-interest research and advocacy organisation known for its work on air pollution, water management, climate change, waste management, sustainable urbanisation and environmental governance.

Reference

Down to Earth | Global Environmental Think Tank Development Report 2025