The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is a globally influential Institute developing leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy. Our Rewiring the Economy framework shows how the economy can be ‘rewired’, through focused collaboration between business, government and finance institutions, to deliver positive outcomes for people and environment in pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For over three decades we have built individual and organisational leadership capacity and capabilities, and created industry-leading collaborations, to catalyse change and accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. Our Rewiring Leadership framework sets out our model for the leadership needed to achieve this. Our interdisciplinary research engagement builds the evidence base for practical action, through a focus on six cross-cutting themes critical to the delivery of the SDGs: sustainable finance, economic innovation, inclusive development, natural capital, future cities and leadership.

What we do

	Build the leadership capacity of individuals to create the future we want through executive and graduate education.		Catalyse innovation and solutions through our business and policy leaders groups, and working with individual organisations.
	Develop the capability of organisations and regions to lead this transition through our advisory services and customised programmes.		Facilitate collaboration and dialogue across conventional boundaries through our business and policy leaders groups.
	Our work is underpinned by multidisciplinary research and grounded in practitioner insights from exceptional people from business, policy, civil society and academia.

Who we work with

Each year we work with business, government and finance leaders in over 250 organisations including consumer brands, global banks and national governments, attracting more than 1,200 delegates into our programmes. The Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Awards, delivered by Unilever and CISL, help young sustainability entrepreneurs achieve scale for impact.

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Our core activities are supported by our Strategic Partners, a small group of leading businesses who commit funds and advice to ensure our work is focused on the most material challenges and on the areas of greatest potential impact.

Stategic partners

If you have an interest in working with us, do get in touch.

A global Network for change

We have a leadership Network of over 9,000 senior leaders and practitioners from business, government and civil society who have an impact in every sector and on every continent.

Our work also draws upon an expert group of Fellows and Senior Associates, comprised of business leaders, academics and other influential thinkers who have direct experience of working to address sustainability challenges.

HRH The Prince of Wales is our Royal Founding Patron and has inspired and supported many of our initiatives including The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme, The Prince of Wales’s Business & Sustainability Programme, and The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group.

To learn more about our work, please contact us.

Where we work

We operate in countries across six global regions – UK and Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. We have offices in Cambridge, Brussels and Cape Town, with delivery partners in Beijing, Chile, Melbourne and the UAE.