Global Connectivity Program

The IISD Global Connectivity Program examines how the 'global connectivity system'—including ICTs and internet governance—can facilitate the flow of knowledge and leadership required for sustainability. The program identifies key trends such as the rise of 'smart' systems for resource efficiency, a global digital economy that exceeds the agriculture and energy sectors in consumption and expenditure, and the shift toward networked, social-media-driven information exchange. IISD emphasizes the need for open, accessible communications infrastructure to gather environmental data and monitor resources, while simultaneously seeking to minimize the negative environmental impacts of ICTs.

• The IISD argues that achieving sustainability requires a 'global connectivity system' consisting of clear policies and protocols to support robust, open, and accessible communications infrastructures, technologies, and services.
• ICTs are being integrated into 'smart' systems, such as energy grids, buildings, and transportation, as well as sensor networks in watersheds and sensitive regions, to improve resource efficiency and monitor environmental impacts.
• The global digital economy has reached a scale where internet-related consumption and expenditure surpass those of the energy or agriculture sectors, and its total contribution to global GDP exceeds that of Canada or Spain.
• While ICTs offer opportunities for sustainable development, there is a critical need to understand and reduce the negative environmental footprints of these technologies.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2011). Global Connectivity Program. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/brochure_global_connectivity.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Global Connectivity Program. 2011. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/brochure_global_connectivity.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Global Connectivity Program |date=2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/brochure_global_connectivity.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2011global, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Global Connectivity Program}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/brochure_global_connectivity.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }