The University of Adelaide hosts one of the Environment Institutes around the world. The inaugural Executive Director of the Environment Institute was Professor Mike Young. Research undertaken within the Institute delivers know-how and understanding that underpins a step change improvement in the management of natural resources such as water, soil, land and native flora and fauna, particularly under changing climate and economic conditions.

The Institute brings together leading research groups at the University of Adelaide in the fields of science, engineering and economics relating to the management and use of natural resources and infrastructure. The Institute combines the research strengths of four centres and two programs.