The Program on Energy Environment Resources and Sustainability (PEERS) focused on sensitizing senior decision makers in India and surrounding countries to approach sustainable development as a paradigm that must define all human activities. Funded by CIDA for the period from 1997-1999, this program was jointly mounted by IISD and the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI).

The specific objectives of the PEERS program have been to:

• Provide participants with an in-depth understanding and skills for the design and implementation of sustainable development policies, programs, and practices
• Develop and disseminate ideas of sustainable development that are sensitive to the needs of South Asia
• Create leadership in government, industry, the media, NGOs and community-based organizations to promote sustainable development goals

Held annually in three phases, the program equipped professionals with decision-making tools focused on principles of sustainable development relevant to economic activity, keeping in mind the diversity and complexity of situations faced by the decision- makers. The emphasis has been on capacity building to support sustainable development policy decisions and practices at the international, national and local levels. With this in mind the participants were required to design and implement specific projects based on the principles of sustainable development and relevant to their areas of work.

For further information on PEERS, and a list of the research projects undertaken by PEERS alumni, click here.