International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development: 2024-2033

Background

From climate emergency and biodiversity loss to global health, the complex challenges facing our world demand innovative and holistic approaches that transcend traditional boundaries. In pursuing a sustainable coexistence between humanity and our planet, the role of sciences has become more critical than ever before.

The decade aims to raise awareness of the importance of all sciences for sustainable development, and to actively concur, in accordance with national priorities, with the promotion of a coordinated, collaborative, scientific approach providing policy-makers with evidence-based analyses and data necessary for establishing and effectively implementing policies in such a way that no one is left behind. Read the UN proclamation

Rooted in the 2030 Agenda, this Decade seeks to harness a more effective and inclusive global approach to sustainability based on the synergic cooperation of all sciences and all knowledge forms in an integrative and transformative way to inform policymaking and the implementation of the SDGs.

The ISC strongly supports this approach and provides substantive input through our work in advancing transdisciplinarity in sustainablility science, advancing that the codesign of research and action should be embraced as the standard practice in sustainability science, and be considered an essential and integral addition to the traditional scientific paradigm. This framework, referred to as “Mission Science for Sustainability,” envisions a model where the sustainability science agenda is tailored to the unique needs of regional communities and stakeholders. This alignment would incentivize collaboration and tackle the fragmented and competitive mindset to drive a genuine “big science” approach to sustainable development challenges.

Led by UNESCO, the Decade’s goal is to restore confidence in science, encourage critical and nuanced thinking, and strengthen worldwide scientific cooperation. Together, we are paving the way for a more resilient, equitable and enlightened world. 

ISC initiatives

The ISC acts as a part of the governing structure of the IDSSD. Additionally, ISC participation extends through ISC projects and Members initiatives. 

• Science Missions for Sustainability – this project is an officially endorsed Programme under the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development
• The Earth-Humanity Coalition, a global network led by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) to connect and mobilize scientific organizations and transdiciplnary hubs worldwide to foster transformative actions at multiple scales and leverage existing efforts
• ISC GeoUnions Distinguished Lecture series: Following the distinguished lecture series launched in 2022 in support of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD), the ISC GeoUnions relaunched the lecture series in support of IDSSD.

IDSSD initiatives of ISC Members

• ISC Members project (SCI2SDG) to map the contributions of scientific institutions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Decade of Soil Sciences for Sustainable Development 2025-2034 led by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)
• Forest Science-Policy Assessments – Global reports and accompanying policy briefs published by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)
• Atlas of Sustainability by the International Cartographic Association (ICA)