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The Institute provides an opportunity to promote integrated research among
departments.  The increasing emphasis on the environment, and on the links
between environment and development, stimulated by the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in
July 1992, is likely to increase funding and for research and training in these areas. 

A key feature of the Research (and training) needs expressed by both
Governments and NGOs is their tremendous diversity.  The scope ranges from
highly localised needs to questions of global importance.  Some issues are singular
in their nature, others are multifaceted, complex, and open-ended.

Research is needed to provide the basic scientific knowledge and understanding
of the key biological, chemical, and physical features of the environment, how they
interact, and how their dynamics are controlled.  Research is needed on the
relationship between people and their environment - how livelihoods depend on
the opportunities provided in the environment; how they are constrained; and
how people's lives change the nature of the environment, and with what
consequences.

The Institute Also Contributes by undertaking or promoting analyses of policies
affecting the environment and by providing policy makers with the results.  Such
analysis critically examines the philosophical, political, ethical, economic and
technical assumptions underlying particular policies.