Becoming a Sustainability Leade

The document evaluates the IISD internship program, which from 1997 to 2007 supported 311 young professionals across 40 countries. Findings indicate that sustainability leadership is driven by a combination of on-the-job training, a global mindset developed through overseas placements, and a shared set of values. The report emphasizes a shift toward 'leadership-by-team' and recommends that IISD expand its reach beyond Canadian youth to include professionals from developing and transitional countries through a potential international consortium.

• Between 1997 and 2007, the IISD internship program supported 311 participants, placing them in over 90 partner institutions across 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. The program has created a robust social network, with 93% of alumni remaining in contact with IISD and 86% staying in touch with other former interns.
• Sustainability leadership is characterized by a mix of skills, values, and training, with a notable shift toward viewing leadership as a team effort rather than an individual pursuit. Values are identified as the primary distinguishing factor in sustainability leadership, and alumni often identify mentors and team members as leaders rather than high-profile 'marquee' figures.
• The program demonstrates that essential skills for sustainability professionals—such as project management, communications, and stakeholder engagement—are most effectively learned on the job through a combination of experience, coursework, and peer learning. These skills are transferable across different sectors, including transitions from non-profit to private sector roles.
• Overseas placements are critical for developing a 'global mindset' and geo-political awareness, enabling young professionals to understand the interconnectivity of production and consumption patterns and the dynamics between the Global North and South. This international exposure fosters innovation by encouraging professionals to step outside their own cultural and disciplinary contexts.

APA

Timmer, D., Creech, H., & Buckler, C. (2007). Becoming a Sustainability Leade. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/sustainability_leader_sum.pdf

Chicago

Timmer, Dagmar, Heather Creech, and Carolee Buckler. Becoming a Sustainability Leade. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2007. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/sustainability_leader_sum.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Timmer |first1=Dagmar |last2=Creech |first2=Heather |last3=Buckler |first3=Carolee |title=Becoming a Sustainability Leade |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2007 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/sustainability_leader_sum.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{timmer2007becoming, author = {Timmer, Dagmar and Creech, Heather and Buckler, Carolee}, title = {{Becoming a Sustainability Leade}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2007}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/sustainability_leader_sum.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }