Established in 2002, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability represents one element of the robust sustainability activities within the National Academies. The Roundtable draws on the expertise of leaders from research institutions as well as senior decision-makers from government and industry who deal with issues of sustainable development, and who are in a position to mobilize new strategies and resources for sustainability. The Roundtable works to provide a high-level forum for sharing views, information, and analyses related to harnessing science and technology for sustainability, and then catalyzing follow-on advisory work through the Academies.

The goal of the Roundtable is to mobilize, encourage, and use scientific knowledge and technology to help achieve sustainability goals and to support the implementation of sustainability practices. Three overarching principles guide the Roundtable’s work in support of this goal. First, the Roundtable focuses on strategic needs and opportunities for science and technology to contribute to the transition toward sustainability. Second, the Roundtable focuses on issues for which progress requires cooperation among multiple sectors, including academia, government (at all levels), business, nongovernmental organizations, and international institutions. Third, the Roundtable focuses on activities where scientific knowledge and technology can help to advance practices that contribute directly to sustainability goals, in addition to identifying priorities for research and development (R&D) inspired by sustainability challenges.

The Roundtable has adopted a two-pronged strategy to address sustainability. The first part of this strategy attempts to define inter-sectoral dynamics and linkages essential to long-term science and technology approaches to sustainability. The second looks to apply these concepts to sustainability challenges.

• Focus on Long-Term Science and Technology Strategy for Sustainability

Acknowledging that sustainability is an interdisciplinary topic that crosses domains, sectors, and institutions, the Roundtable launched a series of discussions to outline the major connections between human and environmental systems. In 2018, the Roundtable contributed to the emerging dialogue on deploying sustainable energy during transition by involving current and former Mayors.

• Applied Sustainability

As a second area of programmatic emphasis, the Roundtable is sharpening its focus on sustainability challenges in applied situations where STS works with specific communities within our Roundtable membership.

The Roundtable is the key component of the Science and Technology for Sustainability (STS) Program in the division of Policy and Global Affairs at the National Academies. The Roundtable is being supported by the National Academies’ George and Cynthia Mitchell Endowment for Sustainability Science. STS is the institutional focal point within the National Academies for examining sustainability science and technology issues. Sustainability leaders in the government, academia, private sector and non-governmental organizations recognize STS as a sustainability leader driving current approaches in the field.