The Planetary Boundaries Framework gains traction in sustainability science

The Planetary Boundaries (GP) Framework is a key tool to address the climate crisis and protect the future of humanity on Earth. For the first time, the complete story of Planetary Frontiers is being told from its inception.

In a review published in Nature Reviews Earth and Environmentscholars highlight the framework’s growing influence across disciplines and its impact on society and politics. The document provides a unique overview of how the framework has been adopted across sectors. It also highlights how, 15 years after its initial proposal, BP science has become widely recognized as essential to advancing the global sustainability agenda in an era of increasing planetary risks.

“Monitoring and governing the Earth’s stability and resilience is no longer optional – it is an urgent necessity to restore Earth’s balance and stay within safe limits,” says Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK and the main author of the paper.

Together with an international team of 28 scientists, he first proposed the BP framework in 2009. “Thanks to the science of Planetary Boundaries, we have clear evidence that there is no solution to the climate crisis and no way to keep the 1.5°C limit , without returning to the safe space of operating within the boundaries of the Biosphere: biodiversity, water, land, ocean, nutrients, aerosols We must consider all borders together to protect the health of the Earth.

“Understanding our relationship with the planet is a form of empowerment, and the planetary boundaries framework provides a clear way to understand how much we are taking from the Earth. In this sense, it is essential to guide the development of sustainable societies,” says Katherine. Richardson of the University of Copenhagen, author of the review and all BP assessments.

The review authors trace the development of the BP framework, describing how evidence from the turning points, the Anthropocene and the Holocene, led to the proposal of this pioneering holistic model of Earth health. Today, it provides a scientific basis for guiding global development towards Holocene-like living conditions.

The BP Framework identifies nine global biophysical boundaries that are critical to the regulation of the Earth system, such as climate change and the integrity of the biosphere. The third update in 2023 not only quantified all limits, but also concluded that six of the nine limits have been breached, underscoring the urgent need for immediate action to mitigate further risks.

A guide to the future

In their review, the researchers reflect on the significant impact of the PB framework on Earth system governance and its role in bridging the gap between Earth system science and sustainability science. They show how PBs have paved the way for innovative concepts such as planetary health and the donut economy.

Their conclusion is that BP science has become mainstream in global sustainability science and has been increasingly adopted in business, finance, politics and civil society as a framework guiding sustainable development in the Anthropocene.

Examples of the adoption of BP science are presented in the article, including country studies such as New Zealand, operational efforts in cities such as Amsterdam, business networks such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and global assessment mechanisms. of science like the Earth Commission. .

The paper also explores the ongoing development of BP science in advancing the global sustainability agenda. Looking forward, the authors emphasize the importance of continued progress in BP science, particularly through higher-resolution Earth monitoring, more frequent BP assessments, and innovative solutions that address issues of equity and justice in the context of global sustainability.

In light of increasing planetary risks, PB science offers a roadmap for a future where human development can flourish on Earth. By adopting strategies that work within Planetary Boundaries, society can foster resilience and equity across generations, ensuring a lasting legacy.