Contenido

La visión del IISD es «un mundo donde las personas y el planeta prosperen».[15]​ El Instituto colabora con organizaciones intergubernamentales, gobiernos, instituciones académicas, el sector privado y organizaciones de la sociedad civil de todo el mundo. Esta colaboración incluye el desarrollo de nuevas investigaciones, la realización de reportajes y análisis de noticias, la prestación de asistencia técnica y apoyo para el aumento de capacidad, y la organización de talleres y otros eventos de intercambio de conocimientos.

Para lograr esa visión, el IISD ha estructurado su trabajo en torno al citado marco CREATE.[16]​.

Climate

IISD's work on climate addresses the two pillars into which actions against this threat are generally classified: climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.

Work on mitigation is primarily carried out by IISD's energy programme, which supports governments as they undertake energy policy reforms[17]​ to achieve a just transition towards carbon neutrality (climate neutrality or net zero) by 2050, for example through greater adoption of renewable energy sources and the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies.

IISD's energy program also hosts the Global Subsidies Initiative, which provides data, research and insights for fossil fuel and fisheries subsidy reform. As part of IISD's work on its climate pillar, IISD acts as the first permanent secretariat of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA). This alliance was announced by a dozen national and subnational governments at the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow in November 2021 and aims to phase out oil and gas production (away from fossil fuels).

Work on climate change adaptation is carried out by IISD's resilience programme, which advises policymakers on how to improve their countries' resilience to climate-related risks and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The resilience program also works on the environment, conflicts and peacebuilding (peacebuilding*); how the arts can support effective climate change adaptation measures; and how governments can address climate change mitigation and adaptation together, rather than separately.[18]​ Through the Resilience programme, IISD acts as the secretariat of the Global Network of National Adaptation Plans.

Resources

IISD's resource work covers 3 main areas: the economic sectors of mining and agriculture, which are also encompassed in the economies pillar of the CREATE framework, and water.

IISD's work in agriculture focuses on responsible agricultural investment and trade. Among other projects, IISD is one of the partners supporting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Network of Parliamentarians on Gender Equality and Investments in Agriculture and Food Security, together with Oxfam, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF).

IISD has also partnered with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Cornell University on research to determine the costs of ending hunger sustainably by 2030 and policy interventions that could help achieve that goal, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2.[19]​ In addition, IISD's agriculture team advises governments on laws, contracts, policies and legal frameworks for agricultural investment.[20]​.

IISD's work on mining, in addition to its role as the headquarters of the secretariat of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development, also includes research, analysis and training on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) and its consequences for resource-rich developing countries and their tax revenues from the mining sector. Among other areas, this work covers the agreement on a global minimum tax, analyzing its general and sectoral impacts for developing countries.

IISD's work on water is carried out within its specific programme, which carries out scientific research and policy dissemination on how to improve water supply. Through this program, IISD hosts the IISD Experimental Lakes Area, based in Kenora, Ontario ("Kenora (Ontario)"). Likewise, since 2020, IISD has been collaborating with the African Aquatic Research and Education Center to analyze how to address environmental challenges affecting the African Great Lakes.[21]​.

Economies

IISD's work on economics seeks to provide policymakers with the research, analysis, reporting and training necessary to develop laws, policies and frameworks that contribute to a fair and sustainable economy. Topics covered in this program include trade laws and policies, international investment laws and policies, international taxation laws and policies, and sustainable infrastructure financing and provisioning.

Thanks to its work on sustainable infrastructure, IISD is now home to the World Resource Center for Nature-Based Infrastructure (nature-based solutions), established in 2021 jointly with the Global Environment Facility, the MAVA Foundation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).[22]​.

Act together and participate

The 2 pillars of acting together (act togetheɾ) and participating (engage) cut across the various IISD work programs and are also the main focus of the IISD Progress Monitoring team. This program works to support communities, national policy-makers and international decision-makers in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[23]​ The Tracking Progress program conducts research on global environmental governance and hosts the work of the IISD Reporting Services, including the Earth Negotiations Bulletin and the SDG Knowledge Platform. The program also works with communities to establish “progress tracking” sites to monitor their progress toward meeting these goals. Progress is monitored through indicators.[24]​.

Through the progress monitoring programme, IISD co-organizes the Geneva 2030 Ecosystem [25]​ together with the SDG Lab, led by the United Nations Office at Geneva [xv]. The Geneva 2030 Ecosystem works to establish alliances and encourage joint research and dissemination between the different organizations in Geneva working on the Sustainable Development Goals.

IISD is also a member of several international networks working on environmental issues. Its European office is part of the Geneva Environmental Network and Think Sustainable Europe.[26]​.

IISD Experimental Lakes Area

The IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is a natural laboratory consisting of 58 small lakes and their watersheds reserved for scientific research. By manipulating these small lakes, scientists can examine how all aspects of the ecosystem respond, from the atmosphere to fish populations. The findings from these real-world experiments are often much more precise than those from research conducted on a smaller scale, such as in laboratories. These findings are used to report on policy impacts and are regularly published in top scientific journals, including Nature.[27] Opened in 1968, the Lakes Experimental Area was previously operated by the Canadian federal government. IISD took over its operation in 2014 after signing agreements with the Canadian federal government and the province of Ontario.[28] The site was later renamed IISD-ELA.

Global network of national adaptation plans

The IISD hosts the Secretariat of the Global Network of National Adaptation Plans (NAP), which was initiated by policymakers and adaptation professionals from 11 developing and developed countries in December 2014 during a side event at the United Nations Climate Conference in Lima, Peru.[29]​.

Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development

The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development[8]​ (IGF) emerged as a Type II association of the United Nations[30]​ following the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was originally established in 2005 by the governments of Canada and South Africa as the Global Dialogue on Mining, Metals and Sustainable Development.[31] IISD became the headquarters of the IGF Secretariat in October 2015. The current Director of the IGF is Greg Radford, who took up the role in 2016.[32]

The IGF has more than 80 members[33]​ and at its annual general assembly brings together government officials and representatives from industry, academia, civil society, non-governmental and international organizations for several days of sessions focused on mining governance and sustainable development. This assembly is held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and is organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).[30]​.

SDG knowledge platform

This platform (SDG Knowledge Hub) is an online resource center for news and commentary on the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

It was launched in October 2016[34]​ and contains news, original commentary from IISD experts and guest articles. It also offers a calendar of upcoming events related to the 2030 Agenda.

This platform covers efforts underway at all levels of governance, from communities to intergovernmental bodies. Their articles examine how this group of actors works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the challenges they face and the opportunities for collaboration that exist. It also seeks to lay the foundations for the post-2030 debate, in which the objectives achieved will be discussed and new ones will be established.

Status of sustainability initiatives

The State of Sustainability Initiatives (SSI) is another branch of web pages within the IISD site that offers comprehensive research and advisory services to promote sustainable production and consumption, with a focus on agricultural commodity sectors such as banana or cocoa. It does this by examining the features and performance of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. or UTZ, with the aim of improving their effectiveness as tools for sustainable development.[35]​.

Contenido

La visión del IISD es «un mundo donde las personas y el planeta prosperen».[15]​ El Instituto colabora con organizaciones intergubernamentales, gobiernos, instituciones académicas, el sector privado y organizaciones de la sociedad civil de todo el mundo. Esta colaboración incluye el desarrollo de nuevas investigaciones, la realización de reportajes y análisis de noticias, la prestación de asistencia técnica y apoyo para el aumento de capacidad, y la organización de talleres y otros eventos de intercambio de conocimientos.

Para lograr esa visión, el IISD ha estructurado su trabajo en torno al citado marco CREATE.[16]​.

Climate

IISD's work on climate addresses the two pillars into which actions against this threat are generally classified: climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.

Work on mitigation is primarily carried out by IISD's energy programme, which supports governments as they undertake energy policy reforms[17]​ to achieve a just transition towards carbon neutrality (climate neutrality or net zero) by 2050, for example through greater adoption of renewable energy sources and the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies.

IISD's energy program also hosts the Global Subsidies Initiative, which provides data, research and insights for fossil fuel and fisheries subsidy reform. As part of IISD's work on its climate pillar, IISD acts as the first permanent secretariat of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA). This alliance was announced by a dozen national and subnational governments at the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow in November 2021 and aims to phase out oil and gas production (away from fossil fuels).

Work on climate change adaptation is carried out by IISD's resilience programme, which advises policymakers on how to improve their countries' resilience to climate-related risks and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The resilience program also works on the environment, conflicts and peacebuilding (peacebuilding*); how the arts can support effective climate change adaptation measures; and how governments can address climate change mitigation and adaptation together, rather than separately.[18]​ Through the Resilience programme, IISD acts as the secretariat of the Global Network of National Adaptation Plans.

Resources

IISD's resource work covers 3 main areas: the economic sectors of mining and agriculture, which are also encompassed in the economies pillar of the CREATE framework, and water.

IISD's work in agriculture focuses on responsible agricultural investment and trade. Among other projects, IISD is one of the partners supporting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Network of Parliamentarians on Gender Equality and Investments in Agriculture and Food Security, together with Oxfam, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF).

IISD has also partnered with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Cornell University on research to determine the costs of ending hunger sustainably by 2030 and policy interventions that could help achieve that goal, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2.[19]​ In addition, IISD's agriculture team advises governments on laws, contracts, policies and legal frameworks for agricultural investment.[20]​.

IISD's work on mining, in addition to its role as the headquarters of the secretariat of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development, also includes research, analysis and training on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) and its consequences for resource-rich developing countries and their tax revenues from the mining sector. Among other areas, this work covers the agreement on a global minimum tax, analyzing its general and sectoral impacts for developing countries.

IISD's work on water is carried out within its specific programme, which carries out scientific research and policy dissemination on how to improve water supply. Through this program, IISD hosts the IISD Experimental Lakes Area, based in Kenora, Ontario ("Kenora (Ontario)"). Likewise, since 2020, IISD has been collaborating with the African Aquatic Research and Education Center to analyze how to address environmental challenges affecting the African Great Lakes.[21]​.

Economies

IISD's work on economics seeks to provide policymakers with the research, analysis, reporting and training necessary to develop laws, policies and frameworks that contribute to a fair and sustainable economy. Topics covered in this program include trade laws and policies, international investment laws and policies, international taxation laws and policies, and sustainable infrastructure financing and provisioning.

Thanks to its work on sustainable infrastructure, IISD is now home to the World Resource Center for Nature-Based Infrastructure (nature-based solutions), established in 2021 jointly with the Global Environment Facility, the MAVA Foundation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).[22]​.

Act together and participate

The 2 pillars of acting together (act togetheɾ) and participating (engage) cut across the various IISD work programs and are also the main focus of the IISD Progress Monitoring team. This program works to support communities, national policy-makers and international decision-makers in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[23]​ The Tracking Progress program conducts research on global environmental governance and hosts the work of the IISD Reporting Services, including the Earth Negotiations Bulletin and the SDG Knowledge Platform. The program also works with communities to establish “progress tracking” sites to monitor their progress toward meeting these goals. Progress is monitored through indicators.[24]​.

Through the progress monitoring programme, IISD co-organizes the Geneva 2030 Ecosystem [25]​ together with the SDG Lab, led by the United Nations Office at Geneva [xv]. The Geneva 2030 Ecosystem works to establish alliances and encourage joint research and dissemination between the different organizations in Geneva working on the Sustainable Development Goals.

IISD is also a member of several international networks working on environmental issues. Its European office is part of the Geneva Environmental Network and Think Sustainable Europe.[26]​.

IISD Experimental Lakes Area

The IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is a natural laboratory consisting of 58 small lakes and their watersheds reserved for scientific research. By manipulating these small lakes, scientists can examine how all aspects of the ecosystem respond, from the atmosphere to fish populations. The findings from these real-world experiments are often much more precise than those from research conducted on a smaller scale, such as in laboratories. These findings are used to report on policy impacts and are regularly published in top scientific journals, including Nature.[27] Opened in 1968, the Lakes Experimental Area was previously operated by the Canadian federal government. IISD took over its operation in 2014 after signing agreements with the Canadian federal government and the province of Ontario.[28] The site was later renamed IISD-ELA.

Global network of national adaptation plans

The IISD hosts the Secretariat of the Global Network of National Adaptation Plans (NAP), which was initiated by policymakers and adaptation professionals from 11 developing and developed countries in December 2014 during a side event at the United Nations Climate Conference in Lima, Peru.[29]​.

Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development

The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development[8]​ (IGF) emerged as a Type II association of the United Nations[30]​ following the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was originally established in 2005 by the governments of Canada and South Africa as the Global Dialogue on Mining, Metals and Sustainable Development.[31] IISD became the headquarters of the IGF Secretariat in October 2015. The current Director of the IGF is Greg Radford, who took up the role in 2016.[32]

The IGF has more than 80 members[33]​ and at its annual general assembly brings together government officials and representatives from industry, academia, civil society, non-governmental and international organizations for several days of sessions focused on mining governance and sustainable development. This assembly is held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and is organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).[30]​.

SDG knowledge platform

This platform (SDG Knowledge Hub) is an online resource center for news and commentary on the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

It was launched in October 2016[34]​ and contains news, original commentary from IISD experts and guest articles. It also offers a calendar of upcoming events related to the 2030 Agenda.

This platform covers efforts underway at all levels of governance, from communities to intergovernmental bodies. Their articles examine how this group of actors works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the challenges they face and the opportunities for collaboration that exist. It also seeks to lay the foundations for the post-2030 debate, in which the objectives achieved will be discussed and new ones will be established.

Status of sustainability initiatives

The State of Sustainability Initiatives (SSI) is another branch of web pages within the IISD site that offers comprehensive research and advisory services to promote sustainable production and consumption, with a focus on agricultural commodity sectors such as banana or cocoa. It does this by examining the features and performance of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. or UTZ, with the aim of improving their effectiveness as tools for sustainable development.[35]​.