The Institute for Environmental Security (IES) is an international non-profit non-governmental organisation established in 2002 in The Hague, with representatives in Brussels, London, California, New York and Washington, DC.

The "knowledge network" was set up to increase political attention to environmental security as a means to help prevent conflict, instability and unrest.

The Institute's mission is: "To advance global environmental security by promoting the maintenance of the regenerative capacity of life-supporting eco-systems."

Its multidisciplinary approach integrates the fields of science, diplomacy, law, finance and education. Activities are designed to provide policy-makers with a methodology to tackle environmental security risks in time, in order to safeguard essential conditions for peace and sustainable development.

Key objectives of the programmes are:

• Science: Create enhanced decision tools for foreign policy makers, donors and their target groups on regional, national and local levels;
• Diplomacy: Promote effective linkages between environment, security and sustainable development policies.
• Law: Contribute to the development of a more effective system of international law and governance;
• Finance: Introduce new and innovative financial mechanisms for the maintenance of the globe's life supporting ecosystems; and
• Education: Build the environmental knowledge capital of people and organisations.

Our mission and programme should be seen in the context of promoting international sustainable development goals and as a contribution toward long-term poverty alleviation as advocated in:

• Agenda 21
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol
• Millennium Development Goals
• Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
• Monterey Summit on Financing for Development Summit, and
• Doha Development Agenda

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