About the Institute
The Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation is the hub of Arizona State University’s sustainability, complex systems and responsible innovation research initiatives. The institute advances research and business practices for an urbanizing world. Its sister program, the College of Global Futures, both within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory®, offers transdisciplinary degree programs focused on finding practical solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges.
Contact usOur Mission
Arizona State University established the ASU Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation to:
- Articulate and exemplify Arizona State University’s university-wide commitment to sustainability and responsible innovation
- Actively support and encourage Arizona State University units and their partners in the teaching, learning, discovery and innovation of sustainability and complex systems modeling
- Implement, extend, share and promote sustainable practices locally, nationally, globally
- Connect scientists, scholars, humanists, engineers, technologists, policymakers, business leaders, students and communities to enhance the capacity to address challenges that impact humanity’s ability to thrive
Vision for Sustainability@ASU
ASU is a leader in the global movement to address the enduring challenges of sustainability and responsible innovation: promoting human prosperity and well-being for all, while protecting and enhancing the earth’s life support systems. By extending the academic tradition to include all ASU units and working with external partners, we educate, discover solutions and implement practices that will help people drive the transition to a sustainable world.
Our Strategy
The Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation provides leadership and coordination for university sustainability initiatives. Our College of Global Futures trains the next generation of practitioners, entrepreneurs and leaders. An emphasis on systems and design thinking across the curriculum directs coursework, research, and outreach toward solving today’s most important problems. A university-wide commitment to sustainable operations encompasses all units at all four campuses.
Our Focus on Urban Environments
With more than half of the world’s population living in cities, the key to global sustainability is making our cities sustainable. The Institute places special emphasis on urban environments in research and education, particularly focusing on greater Phoenix as an urban laboratory where solutions to water, energy, transportation and livability are largely applicable to other rapidly urbanizing areas around the world.