Transforming to an environmentally sustainable society is one of the greatest challenges facing our planet. Making this transformation will require substantial changes in all sectors of our society, our institutions and their governance, our economic and social policies and how we use knowledge and technology to address environmental issues.

The cross-cutting nature of environmental problems means that there is a critical need for innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and research. The Institute of the Environment is well positioned to bring together different academic fields and a range of stakeholders, all of which play a vital role in understanding environmental problems and developing solutions.

The Institute of the Environment has built a national profile, through its research and policy think tank, Smart Prosperity Institute (formerly Sustainable Prosperity), in the environment-economy sphere. Smart Prosperity Institute delivers world-class research and work with public and private partners – all to advance practical policies and market solutions for a stronger, cleaner economy. Since 2014, the Institute of the Environment is home to a new graduate program in environmental sustainability, offering a Master's of Science with strong foundations in science, law, economics and policy.

The Institute of the Environment also foster interdisciplinary research and dialogue, through collaborative initiatives, attracting visiting scholars and experts, and sponsoring conferences and seminars at the University and with partners in the National Capital and across the country.