IISD Strengthens Work on Sustainable Digital Transformation With Appointment of David Jensen

WINNIPEG (September 15, 2026) — The International Institute for Sustainable Development is strengthening its work on sustainable digital transformation, bringing together expertise to address one of today’s most consequential economic shifts. As part of this effort, we are pleased to welcome David Jensen to our team as a senior associate to lead in shaping and advancing these efforts. 

David has extensive experience at the intersection of digital innovation, environmental governance, and sustainable development, including work on how data, technology, and new forms of collaboration can strengthen environmental decision making and institutional capacity. As Global Coordinator for Digital Transformation at the United Nations Environment Programme, he led the organization's first global digital transformation strategy. He is also the co-founder of the Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability, a global initiative coordinating digital solutions for sustainability across governments, the private sector, and civil society. 

“We are at a critical moment,” says David. “Digital transformation and AI are advancing faster than the policies and institutions needed to govern their sustainability impacts. We have an opportunity now to shape this transition—to harness digital innovation for sustainable development while addressing its growing demands on energy, water, minerals, infrastructure, and communities. IISD is uniquely positioned to bring these issues together, and I am excited to help build this agenda.”

David will work across IISD’s programs to connect digital transformation and AI with the institute’s expertise in energy and climate adaptation, critical minerals, sustainable infrastructure, trade and investment, fiscal policy, water, and environmental governance. 

What is a sustainable digital transformation, and why does it matter now? 

AI and digital technologies are transforming economies at extraordinary speed, creating new opportunities while increasing demand for electricity, water, land, critical minerals, grid capacity, and investment. At the same time, digitalization is reshaping labour markets, trade, industrial policy, governance, and the distribution of economic opportunities and benefits. 

The choices governments and businesses make now will determine whether this transformation accelerates sustainable development or adds new pressures on resources, communities, public finances, and the environment. 

IISD sees an urgent need to bring sustainability considerations into the heart of digital policy, investment, and infrastructure decisions. Focusing on the rapid global expansion of data centres and AI infrastructure, we will examine both sides of this transformation: how digital technologies can accelerate solutions to sustainable development challenges, and how the digital economy itself can become more sustainable, resilient, transparent, and equitable. 

Digital trade is an equally important part of this transformation. Building on IISD’s longstanding work on trade and sustainable development, we will examine how it can support innovation and market access while preserving the policy space countries need to pursue their development, environmental, and social priorities. This includes the potential trade and sustainability implications of emerging technologies such as digital product passports, AI-enabled supply chain tools, and algorithmic systems that shape consumption patterns and consumer behaviours. 

“The digital transformation is happening now, and sustainability needs to be built into the decisions being made today, not added later,” says Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder, Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe, IISD. “David’s appointment reflects IISD’s commitment to anticipating emerging sustainability challenges and developing practical policy solutions before unsustainable pathways become locked in.” 

“Digital transformation brings enormous opportunities, but left unchecked, it could also deepen some of our most pressing sustainability challenges,” says Patricia Fuller, President and CEO, IISD. “With David joining our team, IISD will be better placed to help shape a digital future that works for people and the planet.”