Overview
Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a Netherlands-based non-profit research and consultancy foundation established in 2000. The organisation was created in response to growing concerns about ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss and the disconnect between ecological sustainability and economic decision-making. Its work focuses on supporting the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of natural ecosystems worldwide.
FSD promotes an integrated approach to sustainable development that considers ecological integrity, social well-being and economic welfare together. The organisation aims to improve awareness of the value of nature and strengthen the role of ecosystem services in policy, planning and investment decisions.
Mission and focus areas
FSD’s mission is to support the monitoring, analysis, conservation and restoration of ecosystems while helping decision-makers recognise the economic and social value of biodiversity and natural capital. Its activities are centred on ecosystem assessment, nature valuation, biodiversity and climate interactions, ecosystem management, and communication and capacity building.
The organisation contributes to sustainability-focused decision-making by developing tools and networks that integrate ecosystem values into economic and policy frameworks. This includes work related to natural capital accounting, ecosystem services valuation and sustainability assessments relevant to governments, researchers and businesses. These activities align with broader ESG and sustainable finance objectives by encouraging the inclusion of environmental risks and dependencies in planning and investment processes.
Structure and governance
FSD operates as an independent non-profit foundation headquartered in Wageningen, the Netherlands. The organisation works through partnerships with international research institutions, governments, NGOs and sustainability networks. It also coordinates collaborative initiatives involving scientists, policymakers and practitioners across multiple regions.
A key part of FSD’s operational structure is its role as host of the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) secretariat. Through ESP, FSD facilitates thematic, biome and regional working groups and supports conferences, stakeholder engagement and international knowledge exchange.
Programs and offerings
FSD manages three principal programs: the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP), Nature Today and the Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD). ESP is a global network that connects researchers, policymakers and practitioners working on ecosystem services and natural capital issues. Nature Today is a digital platform and mobile application delivering daily nature and biodiversity news.
ESVD is one of FSD’s most significant resources. It provides a large open-access database of standardised monetary values for ecosystem services and biodiversity across global ecosystems. The database supports natural capital accounting, impact assessments, cost-benefit analysis and sustainability-related decision-making.
Our mission
The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a not-for-profit research & consultancy foundation. We aim to support the monitoring, analysis, conservation, restoration and sustainable use of natural ecosystems all over the world. People benefit from natural ecosystems in many ways. We strive to support decision-making that not only results in ecological integrity but also in social well-being and economic welfare. We make society aware of nature, we connect stakeholders and we make nature count.
