Environmental Science and Sustainability Research

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an independent think tank championing sustainable solutions to 21st century problems, whose mission is to promote human development and environmental sustainability.

An online version of this guide, which was jointly initiated by Stakeholder Forum and the Commonwealth Secretariat in response to the perceived ‘knowledge gap’ on the history and dynamics of global governance for sustainable development. A first edition was published in 2011 and this second edition was updated in February 2012. As the ‘institutional framework for sustainable development’ has been identified as one of the two core themes for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD 2012), it is hoped that this guide will provide necessary background information on global sustainable development governance to allow both governmental and non-
governmental stakeholders to familiarize themselves with key issues more comprehensively.

An open dictionary for business leaders and students of sustainability and business-related terms. It is a project of the alumni and students of the Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco, CA. The purpose of this endeavor is to inspire people to better understand how sustainability concepts are creating new understandings (or reinvigorating old ones) in the spheres of business, government, and society. All this in the pursuit of a more sustainable world.

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment assessed the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being. From 2001 to 2005, the MA involved the work of more than 1,360 experts worldwide. Their findings provide a state-of-the-art scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and the services they provide, as well as the scientific basis for action to conserve and use them sustainably.

The work of the Division translates into six core functions: (1) Support to UN intergovernmental processes on sustainable development; (2) Analysis and policy development; (3) Capacity development at the request of Member States; (4) Inter-agency coordination; and (5) stakeholder engagement, partnerships, communication and outreach; and (6) Knowledge management.

The Center for Humans and Nature connects people with ideas through big Questions (an online forum), our journal Minding Nature, our City Creatures Blog, and special Events.