Sustainable Development
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).
Each of the 17 SDGs has specific targets to be achieved by 2030. The goals and targets are universal, meaning they apply to all countries around the world, not just poor countries. Reaching the goals requires action on all fronts – governments, businesses, civil society and people everywhere all have a role to play.
To find out more about the Sustainable Development Goals, explore our SDG Knowledge Hub – an online resource center for the latest news, original commentary from our experts, guest articles from key actors in SDG implementation, and a calendar of upcoming events related to the 2030 Agenda.
Sustainable development is in the news every day as the world copes with climate change, biodiversity loss, conflict and resource scarcity. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn and subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter to stay connected to the global conversation.
- Blog
Achieving the SDGs: Can we manage the pace?
The suite of global agreements adopted last year mostly focused on the coming 15-year period. So the question arises—can the intergovernmental community manage the pace necessary for success in the short time frame available?
Read More - Annual Report
Supporting the Global Shift to Sustainability: IISD Annual Report 2015-2016
IISD’s annual report highlights our contribution sustainable development through a combination of stories, images and data. Because partnerships are critical to IISD’s ability to affect change, this year we have also featured guest articles from the individuals and organizations we have collaborated with.
Read More - Commentary
Real-World Solutions to Sustainability: Ten examples of how IISD is making a difference
The International Institute for Sustainable Development takes the impact of its work seriously. Here are ten examples of what that looks like in practice.
Read More - Commentary
UNEP and Civil Society: A new landscape for stakeholder engagement in UNEP?
This issue of UNEP's “Perspectives” presents a discourse between Mark Halle and Felix Dodds on the past and future role of civil society organisations and Major Groups and Stakeholders in the context of the United Nations Environment Programme.
Read More - Essay
Dr. Mostafa Tolba: Architect of the Montreal Protocol, IPCC and Biodiversity Convention
A tribute to the life of Dr. Mostafa Tolba, who sadly passed away on March 28, 2016. Dr. Mostafa Tolba led the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for almost 20 years, and played a pivotal role in setting the global environmental agenda.
Read More - Commentary
Seven Priorities for the New Canadian Federal Government: The Environmental and Sustainability Agenda
A long list of priorities awaits the new Canadian government, topped by federal climate mitigation policies in the lead-up to the Paris climate...
Read More - Brochure
IISD Brochure: The Knowledge to Act
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an independent think tank championing sustainable solutions to 21st–century...
Read More - Speech
Regional Sustainable Development: Lessons in integrated policies (speech)
IISD President and CEO Scott Vaughan spoke at the International Symposium on the Yangtze River Economic Zone and the Construction of Three Gorges...
Read More - Annual Report
IISD's 2014 / 2015 Annual Report
Fast Forward to Sustainable Development.In this critical year for sustainable development, IISD’s robust, integrated, and applied research is more...
Read More - Speech
Montréal et la nouvelle économie verte (discours)
Le président-directeur général de l’IISD, Scott Vaughan, discute de l’importance de Montréal (Canada) en tant que centre pour la nouvelle économie...
Read More