The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to create a world where people and the planet thrive.
About IISDWhat We Do
Our research and policy work focuses on areas we deem ripe for transformation, where shifts in policy have the potential to change the game and where we have a proven record of making significant gains.
Flagship Initiatives
IISD Experimental Lakes Area
IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is an exceptional natural laboratory comprised of 58 small lakes and their watersheds set aside for scientific research.
NAP Global Network
The NAP Global Network works with partners in the world’s most vulnerable countries to develop and implement climate adaptation plans for a more secure future.
Global Subsidies Initiative
The IISD Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) supports international processes, national governments, and civil society organizations to align subsidies with sustainable development.
The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development
The IGF supports nations committed to leveraging mining for sustainable development to ensure negative impacts are limited and financial benefits are shared.
SDG Knowledge Hub
The SDG Knowledge Hub provides daily information on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Earth Negotiations Bulletin
Earth Negotiations Bulletin provides balanced, timely, and independent reporting on United Nations environment and development negotiations.
Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre
The NBI Global Resource Centre aims to establish the business case for nature-based infrastructure, providing data, training, and customized project valuations.
State of Sustainability Initiatives
The State of Sustainability Initiatives examines how voluntary sustainability standards can support environmental and social goals.
New Research
IISD publishes objective, independent, high-quality research on sustainable development issues, including reports, policy briefs, and toolkits.
Mobilizing Knowledge on Gender, Equity, and Justice in Climate Change Adaptation
This technical brief summarizes and explains the key messages on gender, equity, and justice from the 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability.
Assessment of Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Canada
This report evaluates a potential fossil fuel subsidy provided to the Canadian oil industry through the Government of Canada's expansion and continued operation of the Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMP) using the government's new fossil fuel subsidies assessment framework as the basis for analysis.
New Perspectives
Understanding the United Nations’ New Principles for Resourcing the Energy Transition
Greg Radford explains new principles and recommendations developed by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and designed to advance equity and justice.
What Developing Countries Should Know About Negotiations for a New Global Agreement on E-Commerce
Rashmi Jose discusses the ongoing negotiations of a new global e-commerce agreement under the WTO, highlighting its potential impact on developing countries, the key provisions, and the flexibilities offered to assist them in implementation, while also addressing unresolved legal and participation challenges.
Can Behavioural Science Help Scale Climate Change Adaptation Solutions?
Applying behavioural science to climate change adaptation solutions might feel resource intensive, but research shows it is likely less costly than an intervention that doesn’t work.
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Our Impact
Fueling Change: The journey to end fossil fuel subsidies in Canada
How Canada became the first country in the world to introduce a framework for ending government subsidies to domestic oil and gas companies.
A Global Deal to Tackle Harmful Fisheries Subsidies: A look behind the scenes
In June 2022, World Trade Organization members reached a historic deal tackling harmful fisheries subsidies. We unpack how a global campaign by environmental non-governmental organizations and technical policy and legal advice from trade experts in Geneva helped make a difference.