What is sustainable development?Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable development has been defined in many ways, but the most frequently quoted definition is from Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report:
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Sustainability is the foundation for today’s leading global framework for international cooperation—the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and itsSustainable Development Goals(SDGs). In June 2022, environmental leaders from around the world met to take stock of where we've been and where we are heading, with the goal of galvanizing momentum for the UN Decade of Action for achieving the SDGs.
These conferences are major milestones in sustainable development governance. But their real test comes from the work that happens every day, from individuals and local communities to international organizations and beyond.
At IISD, we are honoured to be part of the community working towards a world where people and the planet thrive.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 17 SDGs were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, with 169 targets to reach by 2030 or sooner. The goals and targets are universal, meaning they apply to all countries around the world.
Learn moreExplore the SDG Knowledge Hub
A Visual History of Sustainable Development
From Stockholm 1972 to Stockholm+50: Why these milestones matter
Sustainable Development Governance: Then and now
Our Earth Negotiations Bulletin reporters have analyzed the highs and lows of the past half-century of international environmental diplomacy, from the original United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 until the present.
Achieving the ambition of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the SDGs requires action on all fronts—governments, businesses, civil society, and people everywhere all have a role to play.
To find out more about where things stand ahead of the 2030 deadline, explore our SDG Knowledge Hub—an online resource centre for daily news, original commentary from our experts, guest articles from key actors in SDG implementation, and a calendar of upcoming events related to the 2030 Agenda.
IISD's Work Areas
IISD is guided by five priorities that we deem ripe for transformation, where shifts in policy have the potential to change the nature of the game within this decade.
