Technology and Innovation

When it comes to achieving a sustainable future for all, we cannot merely rely on tried-and-tested formulas. We need to think outside the box and get innovative.

This can range from fostering innovation within our own sector, to getting creative and adopting new technologies traditionally confined to other sectors, such as FinTech solutions.

Recognizing that new thinking can advance sustainability, the United Nations opted to dedicate Sustainable Development Goal 9 to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

Here at IISD, we are exploring how certain innovative technologies such as Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain, originally embraced by the banking sector to increase the effectiveness of its business, could be adopted by the environmental and sustainable development sectors.

Internet of things infographic set by a lake

We are especially interested in how those who work on freshwater stewardship can look to these technologies to do everything from monitoring water usage, water flow and the contaminants that enter our lakes, to the movement of boats potentially carrying zebra mussels.

We are now looking to use AI technologies to reimagine how IISD Experimental Lakes Area uses its over 50-year dataset to understand the future of its lakes set against the backdrop of a changing climate.

Experts

Geoffrey Gunn

Policy Advisor – Data and Technology

Scott Higgins

Research Scientist, IISD-ELA

Matthew McCandless

Senior Director, Fresh Water & Executive Director, IISD-ELA

Michael Paterson

Senior Research Scientist, IISD-ELA

Michael Rennie

Research Fellow, IISD-ELA

Joey Simoes

Hydrologist

Madeline Stanley

Policy Advisor

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Latest

How Can Trade Policy Maximize Benefits From Clean Energy Investment?

This paper looks at the role of trade policy in fostering the domestic production of renewable energy components in developing countries with a particular focus on wind and solar energy.

Report

July 21, 2021

How to Protect Africa's Great Lakes

This episode introduces you to the African Great Lakes and explains why they matter to so many people.

Podcast

July 15, 2021

Biosafety: Ensuring the Safe Use of Modern Biotechnologies

Despite negotiations and progress, the scientific and policy debate on the potential benefits and risks of biotechnologies remains polarized.

Long-form article

May 11, 2021

New Research at IISD Experimental Lakes Area This Summer

IISD Experimental Lakes Area is carefully and safely opening its doors to new research and a slightly larger research team this summer.

Press release

April 27, 2021

The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: The Governance Challenge

Over-exploitation of natural resources harms the health of ecosystems and the livelihoods and wellbeing of people, but there are fair policy options.

Long-form article

April 15, 2021

Power by All: Alternatives to a privately owned future for renewable energy in South Africa

This report explores new models for renewable energy development that create a greater role for public and community ownership in South Africa.

Report

April 8, 2021

Antidepressants: What happens when they end up in our fresh water?

We explore what toll anti-depressants may take on the environment, and what we are doing to learn more.

Blog

March 18, 2021

The Sustainable Agriculture Transition: How to make the most of transformative technology

This Emerging Issues policy brief focuses on the potential transformative nature of solar photovoltaics and batteries when applied as solar-powered irrigation and is intended to highlight the risks and opportunities associated with these technologies.

Brief

March 2, 2021

Technology and Innovation

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