Cascade Institute

by | Jun 7, 2022

Founded by Thomas Homer Dixon based on the fact that “humanity now occupies or exploits most of Earth’s productive surface area, creating a single, tightly linked social, economic, and ecological system spanning the planet.” This system is on a...

The Millennium Project

by | Dec 3, 2021

An independent non-profit “global participatory think tank” of futurists, scholars, business planners, and policy makers” that collects and assesses judgments on 15 Global Challenges, presented in its bi-annual State of the Future Report (annual until 2012).  The...

Institute for Future Initiatives

by | Dec 3, 2021

An organization integrated by the Policy Alternatives Research Institute (PARI) and UTIAS Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S). It “makes policy and social recommendations on future society issues and pursues research in collaboration...

International Institute for Strategic Studies

by | Dec 3, 2021

International Institute for Strategic Studies(1958; London + Bahrain, Singapore, Washington; ~60 staff; iiss.org) A non-partisan institute to advance a wider understanding of critical 21st-century security issues and their potential resolution.  Its policy themes...

Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

by | Dec 3, 2021

A research center that assesses pressing threats to US national interests and international security in the quarter-century ahead.  “We define international security broadly to include the full array of factors that have a direct bearing on the structure of...

Global Challenges Foundation

by | Dec 2, 2021

Aims to reduce the main global challenges and risks that threaten humanity. Their work is based on the risk analysis ideas central to the success of Laszlo Szombatfalvy. Seeks to raise awareness of nonlinear risks, particularly regarding climate change, other...

Alliance to Save Energy

by | Aug 11, 2021

A bipartisan non-profit alliance composed of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders advocating for enhanced energy productivity to achieve economic growth, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.” They...

World Wildlife Fund

by | Mar 19, 2021

It’s one of the “world’s leading conservation organizations,” best known for its panda logo. Their mission is to “conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth” so that the future is one in which “people live in harmony...

International Institute for Sustainable Development

by | Mar 19, 2021

An independent think tank championing sustainable development solutions to 21st-century problems.  Their goal is a “Better living for all—sustainably.” It conducts research to foster innovation enabling societies to live sustainably. They state that: “Since it was...

BlueGreen Alliance

by | Mar 18, 2021

A coalition of America’s largest labor unions and its most influential environmental organizations to solve today’s environmental challenges in ways that create and maintain quality jobs and build a stronger, fairer economy. Their staff and supporters work to:...

World Economic Forum

by | Mar 18, 2021

The economic forum is committed “to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.” Best-known for its annual meeting of luminaries in Davos, Switzerland....

World Bank

by | Mar 18, 2021

Also known as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the World Bank has 188 Member Countries. It is a “unique global partnership”, with “five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build...

UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

by | Mar 18, 2021

The “leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for...

Greenpeace International

by | Mar 18, 2021

The best-known environmental activist group in the world, bases its work on the belief that the “fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.” They work towards a “green peaceful future” and believe that...

Client Earth

by | Mar 18, 2021

A non-profit environmental law group pressing “for strong action from governments, shifting financial flows, changing markets, trade, and business practices” to protect people and the planet. Client Earth works in “partnership across borders, systems...

International Energy Agency / IEA

by | Mar 17, 2021

An autonomous body within the OECD framework, seeking “to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy” for all. The International Energy Agency examines the full spectrum of energy issues including oil, gas and coal supply and demand, renewable energy technologies,...

International Resource Panel

by | Mar 17, 2021

International Resource Panel (2007; Paris UNEP, unep.org/resourcepanel) A group of about 40 scientists skilled in sustainable resource management issues, and governments from both developed and developing regions, as well as civil society, industrial, and...

Clean Cooking Alliance

by | Mar 15, 2021

A network of global partners working to create a thriving global market for cleaner, more modern household cooking solutions.The initiative is hosted by the United Nations Foundation to mobilize high-level national and donor commitments to foster clean cook stoves and...

German Advisory Council on Global Change

by | Mar 14, 2021

Formally the Wissenschaftlicher Beirat der Bundesregierung: Global Umweltverandereungen, the WBGU is an independent, scientific advisory body set up by the German government in the run-up to the 1992 Rio Earth Summit (UNCED). Its principal tasks are to analyze global...

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

by | Mar 14, 2021

A global standard guided by the belief that a country’s natural resources belong to its citizens, to promote the open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources. Ignited by the work of economists and social theorists such as Jeffrey Sachs, Joseph...

Earth Institute

by | Mar 14, 2021

A research institute that was founded to advance the basic understanding of earth science and apply that knowledge to decisions made by governments and businesses around the world. They aim to find solutions for Sustainable Development, as regards public health,...

Club of Rome

by | Mar 13, 2021

An informal association of ~100 invited Members, independent leading personalities from politics, business, and science. They are interested in contributing in a systemic, interdisciplinary, and holistic manner to a better world because they share a common concern for...

C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group

by | Mar 13, 2021

A global network of large mega cities taking action to address climate change by developing and implementing policies and programs that generate measurable reductions in both greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks. The focus on cities is based on their role of...

UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

by | Mar 12, 2021

SDSN seeks to mobilize scientific and technical expertise from academia, civil society, and the private sector in support of sustainable development problem-solving at local, national, and global scales.  The network’s secretariat is hosted by Columbia University. Is...

Rocky Mountain Institute

by | Mar 11, 2021

An independent nonprofit that encourages efficient and restorative use of resources. Aims to transform global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future. They push for the global energy transition from fossil fuels to efficiency and...

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

by | Mar 11, 2021

The OECD is arguably the world’s largest think tank produces 250+ reports per year on ‘what works’ and databases with societal and developmental indicators. It promotes policies that improve the economic and social well-being of people to create better lives and a...

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

by | Mar 10, 2021

A non-profit organization funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Federal State of Brandenburg. “PIK” addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts, and sustainable development, with researchers from the natural and...

Joint Research Centre

by | Mar 10, 2021

The JRC is the European Commission’s in-house science and knowledge service and advisory with six locations in five European Union countries (Brussels, Geel, Ispra, Karlsruhe, Petten, Seville). They work to “create, manage and make sense of knowledge and...

Pacific Institute

by | Mar 10, 2021

A “global water think tank that combines science-based thought leadership with active outreach to influence local, national, and international efforts to develop sustainable water policies.” They believe that ” identifying solutions and developing...

Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies

by | Mar 10, 2021

A multidisciplinary research institute, which aims “to develop transformative knowledge which is needed to pave the way towards sustainable societies through transdisciplinary research.”  In this context, they work towards aligning their “politics,...

Clean Energy Ministerial

by | Feb 20, 2021

A global forum striving to promote policies and programs that advance clean energy technology, to share lessons learned and best practices, and to encourage the transition to a global clean energy economy. CEM participating economies account for 90% of global clean...

Council on Energy, Environment and Water

by | Nov 25, 2020

A non-partisan think tank. It works towards “the use, reuse, and misuse of resources” employing a mixed approach that gathers “data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach” with an international scope to influence public and private...

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

by | Aug 30, 2020

Represents more than 150,000 members of the civil engineers in 177 countries. It’s committed to planning, designing, constructing, and operating the built environment while protecting and restoring the natural environment. One of its key goals is to make sure...

Chicago Council on Global Affairs

by | Oct 26, 2019

Chicago Council on Global Affairs (1922; Chicago; 80+ staff and fellows; thechicagocouncil.org ) This independent, nonpartisan membership organization provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global affairs. Their mission is to educate the...

Drawdown Project

by | Jul 28, 2019

A project based on the book Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, edited by project director Paul Hawkin, which describes and ranks 100 solutions to reverse buildup of atmospheric carbon in 30 years. The solutions include...

Climate Impact Lab

by | Jul 6, 2019

A  collaboration of 30 climate scientists, economists, computational experts, researchers, analysts, and students from some of the nation’s leading research institutions (largely from the University of Chicago and the UC-Berkeley) that quantifies the impacts of...

Abolition 2000

by | Jun 5, 2019

A global network of >2000 organizations in > 90 countries working for a treaty to eliminate nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework. The Global Council (governance) and the Coordinating Committee (activities & publications) are appointed by the Annual...

American Security Project

by | Jun 1, 2019

A “nonpartisan organization created to educate the American public and the world about the changing nature of national security in the 21st Century.” Their goal is to “forge bipartisan consensus on a new national security strategy that will restore...

US Global Change Research Program

by | May 5, 2019

The USGCRP is “mandated by Congress to coordinate Federal research and investments in understanding the forces shaping the global environment, both human and natural, and their impacts on society.” It “facilitates collaboration and cooperation across...

Green Cross International

by | Apr 13, 2019

An international organization that responds to challenges of security, poverty and environmental degradation to ensure a sustainable and secure future. Promotes legal, ethical and behavioral norms that ensure basic changes in the values, actions and attitudes of...

Global Green Growth Institute

by | Apr 13, 2019

Seeks integration of economic growth and environmental sustainability, seen as essential for the future of humankind. Promotes a new model of economic growth known as “green growth,” that simultaneously targets key aspects of economic performance, such as poverty...

Center for Climate and Security

by | Apr 13, 2019

This non-partisan institute is part of the Council on Strategic Risks. Its vision is to create  “a climate-resilient world…which recognizes that climate change risks are unprecedented in human history, and does not wait for absolute certainty before acting to...

UNEP Finance Initiative

by | Feb 5, 2018

A platform associating the UN and the financial sector globally “to bring about systemic change in finance to support a sustainable world”. Over 200 members have signed the Statement of Commitment. Membership includes public and private financial institutions, and is...