The Planetary Boundaries framework is an essential tool for addressing the climate crisis and protecting humanity’s future on our planet. For the first time, a comprehensive narrative about the Planetary Boundaries is being shared from its inception. In this review, researchers emphasize the increasing significance of the framework across various fields and its influence on society and policy. The paper presents a distinctive overview of how the framework has been embraced by different sectors. It highlights that, 15 years after its initial introduction, the science behind Planetary Boundaries is now widely acknowledged as vital for promoting global sustainability during a time of escalating planetary challenges.
The Planetary Boundaries framework is an essential tool for addressing the climate crisis and protecting humanity’s future on our planet. For the first time, a comprehensive narrative about the Planetary Boundaries is being shared from its inception. In this review, researchers emphasize the increasing significance of the PB framework across various fields and its influence on society and policy. The paper presents a distinctive overview of how the framework has been embraced by different sectors. It highlights that, 15 years after its initial introduction, the science behind Planetary Boundaries is now widely recognized as vital for promoting global sustainability during a time of escalating planetary challenges.
“Monitoring and managing the Earth’s stability and resilience is no longer just a choice—it’s a critical necessity for restoring balance and remaining within safe limits,” states Johan Rockström, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the lead author of the paper. Together with a global team of 28 scientists, he first introduced the Planetary Boundaries (PB) framework in 2009. “Thanks to the principles of Planetary Boundaries, we have solid evidence that we cannot solve the climate crisis or maintain the 1.5°C target without returning to safe operating conditions within the Earth’s biological limits: biodiversity, water, land, ocean, nutrients, and aerosols. We must consider all boundaries collectively to protect the health of our planet.”
“Gaining insight into our relationship with the planet empowers us, and the Planetary Boundaries framework offers a straightforward way to gauge our consumption of Earth’s resources. It is critical for directing the creation of sustainable societies,” explains Katherine Richardson from the University of Copenhagen, who co-authored the review and has contributed to the PB assessments.
The review authors chart the evolution of the PB framework, illustrating how discoveries related to tipping points, as well as the Anthropocene and Holocene epochs, inspired this groundbreaking, comprehensive model of Earth’s well-being. Now, it serves as a scientific foundation for steering global development towards life-sustaining conditions similar to those of the Holocene. The PB framework delineates nine crucial biophysical boundaries necessary for regulating Earth’s systems, including climate change and the health of the biosphere. The 2023 update not only quantified all boundaries but also revealed that six out of the nine have been breached, indicating an urgent call for immediate actions to prevent further risks.
A roadmap for the future
In their review, researchers assess the impactful role of the PB framework in regulating Earth systems and its effectiveness in connecting Earth system science with sustainability studies. They illustrate how Planetary Boundaries have led to innovative concepts such as planetary health and doughnut economics. They conclude that PB science is now a mainstream component of global sustainability science and is increasingly adopted in business, finance, policy, and civil society as a guiding framework for development in the Anthropocene. The article outlines various instances of PB science application, including country-level studies like New Zealand, operational initiatives in cities such as Amsterdam, business coalitions like the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and global scientific assessment initiatives like the Earth Commission.
The paper also examines the ongoing evolution of PB science in promoting the global sustainability agenda. Looking to the future, the authors emphasize the importance of advancing PB science through improved Earth monitoring, more regular assessments of these boundaries, and innovative strategies that tackle equity and justice challenges related to global sustainability. Given the increasing planetary risks, PB science outlines a pathway for a future where human development can flourish on Earth. By implementing approaches that adhere to Planetary Boundaries, society can enhance resilience and fairness for future generations, ensuring a lasting sustainable legacy.