Water Science and Policy
Good science is essential for good policy.
The partnership between IISD’s Water Program and IISD-ELA brings together more than 40 years of rigorous aquatic science with 25 years of global policy analysis and practical guidance. Our combined expertise in hydrology, modelling, biology, limnology, ecosystem services and policy is directed at helping governments and industry to manage water and related resources in such diverse contexts as agriculture, hydro-electric operations and mining, to minimize effects on people and ecosystems.
With the best available science and collaborative analyses, our water solutions are evidence based, long term and meet the needs of a range of stakeholders.
- Report
Tomorrow Needs Us Today: IISD’s 2020-2025 Strategic Direction
We are guided by five core priorities—Climate, Resources, Economies, Act Together and Engage—which form our CREATE strategy, presented in this document.
Read More - Blog
What Trump's Latest EPA Rollbacks Can Teach Us About the Importance of Co-Benefits
A recent ruling on how the EPA regulates mercury could have wide-ranging impacts on U.S. citizens and the environment.
Read More - Blog
COVID-19 Has Changed Our Freshwater Use. We Need To Be Careful
In an op-ed for the Ottawa Citizen, Matt McCandless argues we often take fresh water for granted, but we must protect it as usage patterns change.
Read More - Brochure
Tomorrow Needs Us Today: Water (brochure)
Learn how your voice and actions can inspire generations to come. Your critical support will allow us to expand our research to keep tackling emerging threats to one of the most essential elements we need to survive: fresh water.
Read More - Blog
Way to Go Winnipeggers, on Getting Us Even Closer to Protecting Lake Winnipeg!
Winnipeg is getting even closer to increasing the protection of Lake Winnipeg from harmful algal blooms. And it's thanks to Winnipeggers of all stripes!
Read More - Report
Mapping Policy for Solar Irrigation Across the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in India
How are India's off-grid solar pump policies affecting the water–energy–food nexus? This paper maps out impacts and the key policies that are driving them.
Read More - Blog
Zooplankton and Fresh Water: Here are the facts
Zooplankton are critical parts of freshwater ecosystems, but often get forgotten. Scientist Mike Paterson explains what zooplankton are, and why they matter.
Read More - Briefing Note
Geography Matters: Targeting "hotspots" for cumulative environmental benefits
Using open data from a variety of sources, we demonstrated how Manitoba can target its limited resources to deliver public programming to agricultural regions and gain better outcomes.
Read More - Policy Brief
How and Why the U.S. EPA Is Changing its Policy on Mercury
President Trump wants to loosen the US EPA's regulations on mercury. We explore what the proposed changes are, why they would be a mistake and how they could affect the lives of Americans and even Canadians.
Read More - Brochure
Undertreated Sewage Contributes to Harmful Algal Blooms
In this short brochure, the Lake Winnipeg Foundation and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, present their plans for an interim solution to Winnipeg's phosphorus woes.
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