Mission and Goals
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to fulfill a bold commitment: to create a world where people and the planet thrive.
Our vision
A world where people and the planet thrive.
Our mission
To accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resources, and fair economies.
Our values
Impact
We aim for creative, bold solutions with significant impact. We create the knowledge to act.
People
Our primary focus is improving the lives of people and communities, fostering a more equitable and sustainable world.
Planet
We are committed to supporting the healthy ecosystems and biodiversity that underpin all thriving communities.
Excellence
We produce work of the highest quality, and our independent advice is backed by evidence.
Collaboration
We believe diverse partnerships produce better and more resilient outcomes.
Our strategy
As Canada’s voice for sustainable development around the world, we are inspired by the words of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Announcing the founding of IISD to the United Nations in 1988, he reminded world leaders that:
“Mankind is not destined to destroy itself; war is not inevitable; poverty can be alleviated; the environment can be preserved; injustices can be made right.”
The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney
Powered by this conviction, IISD has been a continuous force for change for 30 years, experiencing remarkable growth—nearly doubling in revenue since 2014—and making indelible impacts along the way.
These five core priorities guide our work toward a sustainable future.
Economic Law & Policy
Enabling economic policy-making in support of sustainable development, including investment, trade, public procurement, infrastructure financing, and sustainability standards, with sector-specific practices in agriculture and mining.
Energy
Supporting clean and just energy transitions by developing evidence, advocating, working with partners, and directly advising governments in Canada and in large emerging economies around the world.
Resilience
Helping governments, civil society, communities, and businesses manage climate- and conflict-related risks and, through the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network, supporting developing countries to advance NAP processes and accelerate climate change adaptation efforts.
Tracking Progress
Providing analyses, networking, and tools to interpret the state of sustainability in systems or regions, and promoting measurable, collaborative action.
Water
Creating better policy and programming solutions for governments, civil society, and industry to protect global freshwater supplies—based on scientific research conducted on whole lakes at our Experimental Lakes Area.
Sustainable Development
What is sustainable development? Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable development has been defined in many ways, but the most frequently quoted definition is from Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report:
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability is the foundation for today’s leading global framework for international cooperation—the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In June 2022, environmental leaders from around the world met to take stock of where we’ve been and where we are heading, with the goal of galvanizing momentum for the UN Decade of Action for achieving the SDGs.
These conferences are major milestones in sustainable development governance. But their real test comes from the work that happens every day, from individuals and local communities to international organizations and beyond.
At IISD, we are honoured to be part of the community working towards a world where people and the planet thrive.
Source: IISD
