Sustainable Development
Research Area block
Sustainable development requires integrated consideration of economic well-being, the environment and equity.
Stanford researchers are studying how communities can sustain growing populations and a healthy environment while ensuring education, health and social equity for diverse residents. The Stanford Woods Institute promotes sustainable construction and design through research of materials, technologies and processes. The Institute does this by sponsoring diverse research on sustainable urban practices through Environmental Venture Projects and examining how low- and middle-income regions can improve their economics while protecting the environment.
Research Centers and Programs
Osa & Golfito Initiative (INOGO) »
The Osa & Golfito Initiative (INOGO) is facilitating the development of a strategy for sustainable human development and environmental stewardship in Costa Rica’s Osa and Golfito region. INOGO works hand in hand with Costa Ricans in local communities, government, the private sector and NGOs. The goal is to generate a...
Water, Health & Development »
Working with partners in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, Stanford researchers with the Program on Water, Health & Development are identifying ways to improve and increase the sustainability of water supply and sanitation service delivery, while also enhancing capacity for sustainable water and wastewater management in developing countries.
Other Research Centers and Programs
Environmental Venture Projects
Menu Messaging to Reduce Meat Consumption »
High levels of meat consumption pose severe environmental and health risks. Globally, livestock produce 14.5 to 18 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, an amount larger than the entire transportation sector. Moreover, residents of many developed countries consume far more meat than is considered healthy.
Water and Energy Connections »
Water and energy are integrally linked. Energy is used throughout the entire water supply system for extraction, purifying, distribution and delivery, heating and later for wastewater collection and treatment. On the other hand, water is used in energy extraction, production, transportation and storage; electricity generation; refining and processing fuel; and...
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News & Press Releases
Space Experiment Could Lead to More Energy-Efficient Concrete on Earth »
New technique for building Mars and moon habitats could help turn rocks there into concrete and provide lessons for making more efficient concrete back on Earth.
By Edmund L. Andrews,
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Media Coverage
Natural gas, meet Silicon Valley. The challenge for mobile methane monitoring is now underway »
Dr. Adam Brandt teams up with EDF for the Stanford/EDF Mobile Monitoring Challenge (MMC) to "rigorously test and compare the most promising new mobile technologies and approaches to quickly detect and quantify methane emissions."
By Ben Ratner and Ramon Alvarez,
