Articles
Insights
Sustainable development is a broad, complex field with many overlapping, interconnected issues. It can be hard to stay on top of where progress is being made, what new issues are emerging, and how current events are shifting us in new directions. IISD’s experts have the insight you need.
Citizen-Generated Data: Data by people, for people
Citizen-generated data complement official data and provide a necessary context for decision-makers to address those left behind, suffering from data marginalization and the outright invisible in national statistics.
Stockholm+50: Weaving global environmental governance
The Stockholm Conference in 1972 created the framework that still guides how countries negotiate environmental deals. How do we fulfill its vision?
What Is Alternative Data and How Can It Help Efforts to Leave No One Behind?
Official statistics and measures of poverty do not fully capture the causes of marginalization and how they intersect and interact. The 2030 Agenda is catalyzing a shift in how the world thinks about data and the use of "non-official data sources" to better reflect the needs of the most marginalized.
Deep Dives
The world’s greatest challenges don’t always have simple answers. Going beyond the surface is critical when it comes to solving global problems. Our experts know how important it is to look back at history and consider the big picture if we want to find solutions that work.
The Roots of Forest Loss and Forest Governance
If lessons from past failures on deforestation are learned, forest protection could play a major role in reversing both climate change and biodiversity loss.
Pathways to Sustainable Cities
Urban planning needs to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of local communities and build on participatory approaches that foster the engagement of marginalized actors.
Indigenous Peoples: Defending an Environment for All
International environmental negotiations need to go beyond tokenistic participation of Indigenous Peoples to a genuine integration of their worldviews and knowledge.
Explainers
We can’t make progress on sustainable development if we don’t understand it. Research papers and textbooks don’t always speak in plain language, which makes it hard to learn about the nuances of environmental negotiations or get clarity on what counts as a fossil fuel subsidy. IISD experts are here to help.
Solutions in Nature: Lessons from Fiji and Timor-Leste
Many countries are already using ecosystem-based adaptation to help build resilience to the impacts of climate change. In order to maximize its uptake and benefits, it is critical to integrate these actions into a country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.
What Is the Energy Charter Treaty?
The Energy Charter Treaty is an outdated investment treaty that is threatening to protect fossil fuel investors at the expense of critical climate action.
What Is Tripartite Dialogue and How Can It Help Combat the Climate Crisis in a Just Way?
In crafting the UN's Paris Agreement on climate change, world leaders say the energy transition must be a just one, meaning it should be fair and inclusive. What does this mean in practice?
Policy Analysis
To put it simply, this is a space for our policy experts to wonk out—after all, some issues can only be tackled with technical expertise on niche subjects. IISD's team understands the importance of effective commentary and the ways in which it can lead to transformative policy change in the real world.
Putting Poverty Alleviation and Inequality Reduction at the Heart of the Energy Transition
As governments implement the ambitious policies needed to transform the energy system, they must also account for the resulting impacts on inequality and poverty.
In Focus: A Draft WTO Agreement to Curb Harmful Fisheries Subsidies
This June, members of the World Trade Organization have the opportunity to establish a historic treaty to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. In a new video, IISD expert Alice Tipping delivers a concise overview of the draft agreement.
Tackling Hunger and Global Food Insecurity: Why we must leave nitrogen fertilizers behind
As policy-makers weigh how to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the related humanitarian crisis, a crucial consideration is how they can prevent a burgeoning hunger crisis from spiraling out of control.
Success Stories
For 30 years, IISD has worked to fulfill a bold commitment to the world: advancing development that balances economic, social and environmental priorities. Here are just some of the ways we're making an impact.
Measuring Nature for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery
In the face of multiple health and environmental crises, the inefficiencies of GDP as the main measure of economic health and government policy are strikingly apparent.
Speaking Each Other’s Language
When it comes to communicating the research findings of the world's freshwater laboratory, we need to speak to communities in their own languages. Literally.
Rethinking Investment Policy to Support Sustainable Development
IISD experts are pushing for reform and offering their expertise to ensure good policy isn't held back by the threat of arbitration.