WHO WE ARE
The Earth Commission assesses and synthesizes the latest science to define the boundaries for a safe and just planet.
Convened by Future Earth, the world’s largest network of sustainability researchers, the Commission unites an international team of natural and social scientists to identify critical planetary thresholds – to ensure there is clean air and water, biodiversity, and a stable climate in which all life can thrive.
This work informs the development of science-based targets for cities and business, and guides the pivotal transformations needed for a safe and just world.
The Commission is a partner of the Planetary Boundaries Science Initiative and serves as the scientific cornerstone of the Global Commons Alliance, a coalition driving collective action to protect the global commons.
OUR WORK
The Commission’s work provides a unified and integrated agenda for transformation toward a safe and just future for the people and the planet including the translation into local action by cities and the private sector.
In its first phase (2019-2023), the Commissioners, secretariat, and working group members developed the conceptual framework for analysing Safe and Just Boundaries and undertook empirical work leading to more than 20 publications.
In 2023, the Commission published the flagship paper “Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries” in Nature, quantifying the limits of the Earth’s resources within which the planet can remain stable (safe) and everything living on it can thrive (just).
These Safe and Just Boundaries are fast becoming the scientific backbone of the next generation of sustainability targets to help city- and business leaders as well as policy-makers access the opportunities offered by the safe and just space by better managing the planet’s finite resources. Read more about the Science Based Targets Network here.
In 2024, the Commission started refining the boundaries including new boundaries for novel entities and the ocean, as well as exploring the possible pathways humanity could take reach to a future that is both safe and just.
