Initiating and managing cutting-edge human dimensions research on global environmental change (GEC) is one of the principal roles of IHDP. To successfully address this challenge, IHDP maintains a balanced portfolio of research projects, supported by the Secretariat, as well as collaborative research projects conducted under the Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP).

In order to understand what steps society must take to address global environmental change, we must first assess and understand what societies require to ensure their well-being – and what they perceive as their needs based on beliefs and values.