2006/2007 Annual Report - International Institute for Sustainable ...

The past year has seen a sea change in public awareness of sustainability and the health of the planet. Twenty years
after Brundtland—and a few years into a series of increasingly pointed reports from the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change—we are moving past the talk of what we face, to discussion about how best to move forward
to ensure economic vitality, human well-being and a healthy environment.
As the Chair of an experienced and knowledgeable Board of Directors, I continue to learn from the varied
experiences of my colleagues—skilled researchers, environmentalists, international policy leaders and business
executives from around the world. All are dedicated to the proposition that IISD, proudly headquartered in
Winnipeg, Canada, should be driven by a spirit of innovation in our research. We continually demonstrate this
spirit in important ways—as we did with our recent work on global environmental governance that was presented
to an impressed international audience at President Chirac’s Citizens of the Earth Conference in Paris in February.
Lest we forget, the struggle to be sustainable and prosperous is not just a global issue. It’s a matter of deep concern
to communities of all sizes. In Manitoba, our home province, IISD’s research project on the quality of Lake
Winnipeg’s water and the identification of environmental hot spots on western grasslands is a seminal piece of
work. Working with First Nations communities dedicated to minimizing their environmental footprint and
protecting their natural heritage is another hallmark of how IISD reaches out to create value as a solutions
provider in a fragile world facing uncertainty.
FROM THE CHAIR
One Lifeboat, IISD’s report on China's determination to tackle its
sustainability challenges, is one of a kind. The ongoing work on
climate change and what we should be doing when the Kyoto
Protocol’s first commitment period expires in 2012, on the other
hand, is significant insofar as it represents a long-lasting and
determined effort to help find solutions and craft the right public
policy and regulatory response. Throughout all of this, our
Reporting Services team upholds and enhances the best
traditions of conference scribes, providing an invaluable service
in international negotiations and conferences.
In achieving these remarkable contributions,
I know I speak for my fellow directors in
recognizing the leadership of David Runnalls and
the contribution of gifted and dedicated expert
project leaders and staff. They are truly an amazing
group of professionals on the edge of our collective
quest for innovation and solutions to leave a better
world for our children and for future generations.
Daniel Gagnier
Chair of the Board
“…we are moving past the talk of
what we face, to discussion about
how best to move forward to ensure
economic vitality, human well-being
and a healthy environment.”
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