Climate Governance & Sustainability Transitions | Institute for Global Sustainability

For transformative change, sustainability demands innovative governance approaches in land and agriculture, water management, food systems, transportation, and urban development. IGS researchers examine the complexities involved.

Research Projects

Upcoming Events

An illustrated graphic depicting financial growth graphs across energy industries and a scale weighing profits and the Earth.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

IMAP Lunch Seminar: Environmental Regulation, Pollution, and Economic Outcomes in Capital Markets

12:30PM BU Campus & by Zoom

Details

The EU flag on a blue background.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

IMAP Lunch Seminar: Do Investors Price the Brussels Effect? Regulatory Risk and Sustainability in U.S. Markets

12:30PM BU Campus & by Zoom

Details

Spotlight on Faculty Research

A plane takes off from an airport

The Discursive Silos of Transport Discourse in Sweden: Using Future Storylines to Understand the Polarization and Politicization of Sustainable Aviation Transitions

Futures

A map of the United States with electricity hotspots illuminated.

Electric Power Reliability, Energy Burdens, and Climate Change Beliefs in the United States

Environmental Science & Technology

A stack of research papers with a magnifying glass.

Reviewing Metrics and Indicators for Energy, Climate, and Environmental Justice: A Synthesis of 25 Years of Research

Energy Research & Social Science

Trees in an urban environment

The Barriers and Drivers to Decarbonization of the Building Sector in the United States: Qualitative Insights From Boston and Phoenix

Building and Environment

Determining our_thumb

Social Attitudes Towards Climate Interventions: Are European Publics Uninformed About Carbon Removal and Solar Radiation Management?

Environmental Science & Policy

Offshore oil rig with gas flaring.

Climate Action and Native Advertising: How Fossil Fuel Companies Present Environmental Commitment in American and British News Media

The International Journal of Press/Politics

Glass skyscraper building with trees in front.

Reviewing the 95 Sociotechnical Barriers to the Decarbonization of Buildings

Nature Communications

A thermometer with the image of a city in the back.

Beyond the Thermostat: Critically Reviewing the Scientific Evidence for Global Cooling and Air Conditioning Demand

Applied Energy

Latest Visualizing Energy Data Stories

Visualizing Energy

Power Plant Efficiency Since 1900

November 21st, 2025

Weekly data story from Visualizing Energy, a project of IGS. (November 21, 2025)

Challenges faced by women who collect and use firewood in South Africa.

Visualizing Energy

What are the Connections Among Fuel Poverty, Time Poverty, and Gender Equity?

October 28th, 2025

Weekly data story from Visualizing Energy, a project of IGS. (October 27, 2025)

What is the ‘diesel discount’ and does it matter?

Visualizing Energy

What is the ‘Diesel Discount’ and Does it Matter?

October 20th, 2025

Weekly data story from Visualizing Energy, a project of IGS. (October 20, 2025)

How does public finance support energy?

Visualizing Energy

How Does Public Finance Support Energy?

October 17th, 2025

Weekly data story from Visualizing Energy, a project of IGS. (October 14, 2025)

Population exposure to fine (PM2.5) particulate matter.

Visualizing Energy

Where Are People Most Exposed to Particulate Matter?

October 6th, 2025

Weekly data story from Visualizing Energy, a project of IGS. (October 6, 2025)

Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from renewable fuels.

Visualizing Energy

What Renewable Fuels Have the Largest Climate Benefit?

September 29th, 2025

Weekly data story from Visualizing Energy, a project of IGS. (September 29, 2025)

Power uprates for nuclear power plants in the United States.

Visualizing Energy

What is Nuclear Power Uprating and Why is it Important?

September 23rd, 2025

Weekly data story from Visualizing Energy, a project of IGS. (September 23, 2025)

Global cumulative nuclear reactor capacity additions, 1951-2023

Visualizing Energy

Global Nuclear Power Capacity Additions

September 18th, 2025

Weekly data story from Visualizing Energy, a project of IGS. (September 18, 2025)

Expert Insights in the News