Becoming a Sustainability Leade

This executive summary describes the impact and research findings of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) internship program, which aims to develop the next generation of sustainable development leaders through on-the-job experience and international exposure.

• Between 1997 and 2007, IISD's young professionals program supported 311 individuals, 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 over 93% of alumni maintaining contact with IISD and 86% remaining in touch with other former interns.
• Research indicates that sustainability leadership is increasingly viewed as a team endeavor rather than an individual pursuit, with values serving as the primary distinguishing factor. Alumni tend to identify leaders as personal mentors and team members rather than high-profile 'marquee' leaders.
• The program's overseas component is critical for developing a global mindset and geo-political awareness, specifically regarding the dynamics between the North and South and the interconnectivity of global production and consumption. This international experience enhances innovation and informs national sustainability work when alumni return to Canada.
• The study concludes that essential sustainability skills—such as project management, stakeholder engagement, and communications—are best learned on the job through a combination of peer learning and coursework. Consequently, IISD recommends maintaining the program's focus on entry-level professionals.

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} }