Sustainability

The IEEE SSIT Sustainability Technical Committee (Sustainability TC) brings together engineers, policymakers, educators, and innovators to co-create ethical and sustainable technology solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and IEEE Planet Positive 2030.

We serve as a “Sustainability Loom” within IEEE—interweaving diverse initiatives into a unified, global network that advances regenerative, equitable, and impactful development.

Please find all our updates on our work on our LinkedIn Page.

 

Leadership Team

 

  Melodena Stephens Michael MacFarland
Mei Lin Fung

Chair

 Dr. Melodena Stephens

Vice Chair

 Michael MacFarland

Vice Chair
Digital governance expert and co-founder of the People-Centered Internet. Leads global efforts in ethical tech, community resilience, and sustainability policy. Professor and policy advisor specializing in frontier tech governance (like AI) and innovation strategy. Expert in human-centered design thinking. Author of AI Enabled Business: A Smart Decision Kit. Former Chief Architect at Fannie Mae. Expert in financial systems, digital identity, and inclusive fintech for underserved communities.

 

30 June 2026
image.png

Here are the key highlights from the workshop celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Diffie-Hellman algorithm and the IEEE Women in Engineering Day:

  • Event Overview: The workshop, titled “Women as Ambassadors for a Better Future,” was organized to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the revolutionary Diffie-Hellman public key exchange algorithm. It focused on how women can help shape a secure, ethical, inclusive, and trustworthy digital future.
  • The Legacy of Diffie-Hellman: Fifty years ago, Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman published their groundbreaking paper, “New Directions in Cryptography,” in the IEEE Transactions. This algorithm became a fundamental building block of modern cybersecurity, enabling secure internet communication and underpinning digital public infrastructure (DPI), online banking, and e-commerce.
  • The Importance of Women’s Representation: Speaker Mei Lin Fung highlighted the necessity of women shaping digital public infrastructure. She gave the example of Wikipedia, where fewer than 10% of editors are women, noting that since AI relies on Wikipedia for answers, the data does not properly reflect the world.
  • The Care and Informal Economies: Fung emphasized that the care economy and informal economy—driven by relationships and love—are currently not tracked by data, meaning AI cannot help improve them. She suggested that women design digital public infrastructure to recognize and support these human values.
  • The Role of Post-Quantum Cryptography: Co-speaker Kudsai Musarandega, a quantum solutions research fellow, discussed the future threat that quantum computing poses to existing key exchange systems. She highlighted the urgent need to actively develop post-quantum cryptography to preserve global digital security.
  • Call for Diffie-Hellman Ambassadors: The speakers launched a global recruitment initiative for three types of DH50 ambassadors to collect local community stories and build a dynamic global repository:
    • History Ambassadors: Investigate how public key cryptography mathematically traveled from the Stanford lab to specific global locations over the last 50 years.
    • Present Ambassadors: Examine how communities currently interface with digital public infrastructure, how it impacts everyday people, and what local challenges exist.
    • Future Ambassadors: Bring in experts to train upcoming professionals and map out a local vision for how digital public infrastructure should evolve securely.
  • Connecting Globally: Fung closed by celebrating the massive global reach of the IEEE across 190 countries, allowing professionals to form a truly connected “global family” to collaboratively shape the future of technology for humanity.

Focus Areas & Engagement

ESTEK: Energy & Sustainable Technologies

 

Cinzia Da Via
Cinzia Da Via

Chair

 

 

We advance ethical and regenerative approaches in:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Circular economy
  • Sustainable energy systems
  • Resilient design

Ongoing Projects:

  •  climate resilience workshops (with a focus on gender and minority inclusion)

Funding

 

Michael MacFarland
Michael MacFarland

Chair

We explore innovative financial models to unlock sustainability at scale, including:

  • MSME securitization
  • Digital asset registries
  • Prosperity data networks

We bridge global capital with local impact, ensuring funding aligns with measurable sustainability outcomes.

Recent activity:

Roundtable side event of the 2025 World bank Spring Meetings hosted by UN Science Summit.  

Intergenerational Cooperation Network (ICN)

 

Gael Van Weyenbergh Mei Lin Fung
Gael Van Weyenbergh

Co-Chair

 Mei Lin Fung

Co-Chair

 

The Intergenerational Cooperation Network (ICN) brings together youth leaders, experienced professionals, and institutional partners to advance ethical digital governance and sustainability through practical coordination and mentorship.

Our work focuses on:

  • Intergenerational mentorship connecting youth with experienced practitioners
  • Systems thinking and structured project design applied to real-world challenges
  • Cross-border collaboration in distributed environments
  • Building trust-based coordination models for AI-enabled systems

Flagship Initiative: Community Climate Clubs (CCC)

Community Climate Clubs (CCC) are student-led, professionally structured capstone teams working on local climate and sustainability challenges aligned with planetary-scale systems.

Each project follows a defined cadence, includes mentor support, and contributes documented outcomes to a shared repository so that impact compounds over time rather than resetting each semester.

Learn more:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/intergenerational-cooperation-network

 

Feel – Imagine – Do – Share (FIDS)

 

Melodena Stephens Madhu Verma
Melodena Stephens

Co-Chair

 Madhu Verma

Co-Chair

 

 

A participatory framework used across policy makers, youth and underrepresented communities to design real-world solutions via:

  • Human-Centered Design thinking
  • Ethical Decision-Making
  • Giving Agency Back to The Individual
  • Leveraging the Power of Social innovation

Calendar

Date and Time Place Title Description Link
April 25, 2025 Roundtable Side Event at the World bank/IMF forum Hosted by the UN Science Summit as a side event of the 2025 World Bank Spring Meetings, the April 25 Roundtable brought together global leaders in tech, finance, and development to explore innovation-driven solutions for MSME financing & Digital Public Infrastructure.  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFaQilDSgi87EGc4DX12WyZavAURdvQwIWqn2PvaRQQ/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.fb0gcrbzm89
August 4-5, 2025 Osaka IEEE Osaka Symposium https://indico.rcnp.osaka-u.ac.jp/auth_indico/?ref=/event/2569/

Policy Engagement

IEEE SSIT leaders have contributed to a range of policy briefs, including several developed for Think7—an official G7 engagement group producing evidence-based policy proposals.

Melodena Stephens (2025): Policy Councils: Design Thinking for Problem Solutioning. IEEE SSIT Sustainability Technical Committee Report.

Mohammad R. Albous, Al-Jalousi, Odeh R., Stephens, Melodena (2025). AI Governance and Societal Transformation in the GCC: A Comparative Analysis of National AI Strategies. Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research (JAIR), 82, pp. 2389.

Daniel Nagy, Jascha Stein, Mei Lin Fung, Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Patrizia Bussoli, Tamara Singh (2025): G7-Led International Financial Framework for Digital Governance. Canada G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Vidhi Sharma, Stephens, Melodena & Khurshid, Sadaf, Pereira, Vijay (2025): Metaverse Governance: A Systematic Literature Review (1990-2023). Review of International Business and Strategy, https://doi.org/10.1108/RIBS-10-2024-0118

Melodena Stephens, Awameleh, Raed, Sicre, Frederic (2025): Anticipatory Governance – Shaping A Responsible Future. World Scientific Publishing: Singapore.

Melodena Stephens, Inayatullah, Sohail (2025): Backcasting: A Design Thinking Approach to Creating Transformative Futures. In M. Stephens, et al. (Eds). Anticipatory Governance: Shaping A Responsible Future. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore: 69-83.

Melodena Stephens, Aziz, Maha Hosain, Lopez, Monica (2025): Bridging the AI Divide. The Digital Economist.

Melodena Stephens (2025): Policy Councils: Design Thinking for Problem Solutioning. IEEE SSIT Sustainability Technical Committee Report.

Melodena Stephens, Inayatullah, Sohail (2025). Future of Education: Using Backcasting to Design Guardrails. In M. Stephens, et al. (Eds). Anticipatory Governance: Shaping A Responsible Future. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore: 269-285.

Mei Lin Fung, Patrizia Bussolli, Jascha Stein (2024): CBDCs: A Gateway to Finance for MSMEs: Paving a Practical Path to Prosperity. Italy G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

IEEE SA Research Group on Issues of Autonomy and AI in Defense Systems. (2024): A Framework for Human Decision Making Through the Lifecycle of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems in Defense Applications. New York, NY: IEEE SA.

Maike Luiken, John C. Havens (2024): Strong Sustainability by Design – Prioritizing Ecosystem and Human Flourishing with Technology-Based Solutions – Metrics/Indicators. IEEE Planet 20 Positive 30 Report.

Suzanne M. Sincavage, Krishna Ravi Srinivas, Joy Y. Zhang, Mei Lin Fung, Trevor W. Muchlfelder, Marta Bertolaso (2024): An Integrated Global Bio-data Governance Framework Enhancing Human Rights and Prosperity Italy G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Jascha Stein, Mei Lin Fung, Marta Bertolaso, Fulvio Bersanetti, Suruchi Gupta, Ronald Strauß, Charlie Isaacs, Christine Asjoma (2024): Improving Global Governance: Data Cooperatives for Global Cooperation. Italy G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Melodena Stephens (2024). Leveraging Sovereign Wealth Funds for Soft Power. In J. Harris, K. Baker, & Nakshabandi, G. (Eds.). The Palgrave Handbook of Sovereign Wealth Funds, Switzerland: 175-197.

Mei Lin Fung, Dio Herdiawan Tobing, Marta Bertolaso, Vishal Aditya Potluri (2023): People-Centered Science and Digital Transformation: A Practical Proposal for the G7 and G20. Japan G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Melodena Stephens, Marisa Zalabak, John C. Havens, Hagit Messler (2023): The Benefits of a Multidisciplinary Lens for Artificial Intelligence Systems Ethics. IEEE Global Initiative Education Committee Report.

Melodena Stephens, Vashishtha, Himanshu & Wagner, Dirk N. (2023): AI Enabled Business: A Smart Decision Kit. Information Age Publishing, NC: USA.

John Aston, Ilan Chabay, Jesus Crespo Cuaresma, Mei Lin Fung (2022): Community Climate Clubs to motivate and create personal action for an equitable world. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

John Beirne, Nicola Bilotta, Mei Lin Fung, Tamara Singh (2022): Central Bank Digital Currencies: Governance, Interoperability, and Inclusive Growth. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Sarah Fischer, Yolanda Martinez, Skye Gilbert Yoden, Kate Wilson, Mei Lin Fung, Hani Eskandar, Sherman Kong, Garrett Livingston Mehl, Derrick Muneene, Max Schumann, Jake Watson (2022): Build Digital Public Goods for Health: A Private and Public Sector Global Initiative. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Mei Lin Fung, Declan Kirrane, Kurt Zatloukal, Peter Taylor, Andrew Seely, Evgueni Louikipudis, Tamara Singh, Gora Datta (2022): Digital Utilities for scientific Research towards an equitable world. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Christoph Meinel, Mei Lin Fung, Maxim Asjoma (2022): Clean-IT: Policies to support energy-efficient digital systems. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Axel Michailow, Philipp Censkowsky, Clara Brandi, Michele Stua, Sonja Peterson, Mei Lin Fung, Colin Nolden, Ingo Venzke, Tim Banning (2022): Towards an inclusive climate alliance with a balance of carrots and sticks. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Tamara Singh, Mei Lin Fung, Eileen Murray, Anthony Lacavaro, Matthew Gamser, Brian Omwenga, Ndemo Bitange, Homi Kharas (2022): Global Public-Private Digital Utilities for MSME Recovery and Transition. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Melodena Stephens (2022): Metaverse and its Governance. IEEE Industry Connections Report.

Melodena Stephens (2022): Systems Thinking: The WISE Framework for Effective Policy Making. In R. Awamleh, M. Stephens, & F. Salem (Eds). Agile Government: Emerging Perspectives in Public Management. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore: 117-138.

Paola Subacchi, David Vines, John Beirne, Andy Filardo, Mei Lin Fung, Alicia Garcia Herrero, Simone Romano, Mina Toksoz, Paul van den Noord (2022): Keeping the world economy on track: dealing with the short-term emergency and pursuing longer-term objectives. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Peter Taylor, Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Melissa Leach, Hayley MacGregor, Ali Mehdi, Mei Lin Fung (2022): Research, Evidence and Learning – the need for a global infrastructure. Germany G7 Think7 Policy Brief.

Melodena Stephens (2020): Building Tech Zones to Enhance AI. In: M. Munoz, & A. Naqvi (Eds.). Handbook of Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Process Automation: Policy and Government Applications. Anthem Press, UK: 77-96.

Melodena Stephens (2020): Cities as Custodians for Entrepreneurial Opportunity. In M. N. Iftikhar,  J. Justice, & D. Audretsch (Eds.). Urban Studies and Entrepreneurship. Springer AG, Switzerland: 31-48.

Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan, Stephens, Melodena (2019):  Reforming Policies on Refugees.  In M. Stephens, M. M. El Sholkamy, I. A. Moonesar, & R. Awamleh (Eds.). Actions and Insights: Middle East North Africa (Vol. 7): Future Governments. Emerald Group Publishing, UK: 119-134. Translated into Arabic in 2020 and published by Qindeel Publishing: UAE.

Get Involved

We welcome collaborators from all sectors—engineers, policymakers, educators, funders, innovators—who are passionate about building ethical, sustainable, and inclusive technology futures.

👉 Contact: mlf@alum.mit.edu