The SDSN began in 2012 soon after the Rio+20 Summit with ten thematic working groups on a range of environmental, social, and economic topics, which helped contribute to the adoption of the SDGs, particularly the inclusion of SDG 11 (cities). During this time, its Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP) also helped to inform national climate policies and demonstrate in the lead up to the Paris Climate Conference (COP21), that a global commitment to deep decarbonization by mid-century was both possible and necessary.

Since its founding, the SDSN has hosted the International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) to provide a forum for thousands of members of academia, government, civil society, UN agencies, and the private sector to come together to share practical solutions to achieve the SDGs. And in 2016, the SDSN expanded its mission with the creation of the SDG Academy to create and curate free, Open Educational Resources (OER) and guidance from the world’s leading experts on sustainable development.

Over the past decade, the SDSN has grown substantially, with several new thematic networks and initiatives, including the Science Panel for the Amazon, the SDG Transformation Center, the FABLE Consortium, the ASEAN Green Future Project, among others; the production of several critical research products and instruments, including the World Happiness Report and the Sustainable Development Report; as well as the establishment of its global networks program, a membership-based alliance of top-tier knowledge-generating institutions focused on sustainable development, organized at the national and regional levels. As of 2023, the SDSN has over 1,800 members in 50+ networks across more than 145 countries, as well as global offices in New York, Paris, and Kuala Lumpur.

We are facing a time of unprecedented acute, complex, and transboundary sustainable development challenges, ranging from the increased emergence of zoonotic diseases linked to ongoing environmental destabilization and declining planetary health; the rapid degradation of lands, habitat, and biodiversity; growing urbanization; increasing air pollution that kills millions every year; rising geopolitical tensions; and the setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now is the time to mobilize academic and scientific expertise to confront these challenges and accelerate sustainable development into 2030 and beyond. The SDSN stands ready to meet this challenge.

SDSN's strategy and vision is guided by a Leadership Council, which brings together global sustainable development leaders from all regions and all sectors, including civil society, public, and private sectors.

SDSN’s Networks Strategy Council (NSC) is comprised of leaders from the networks program who advise SDSN Networks on their vision, and work program, and approve all new members and networks.

SDSN’s Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of all fiduciary, legal, and operational matters.