Scientists set out guidance to support sustainability goals

Cities and businesses will be able to align their sustainability efforts to specific environmental limits known as Earth system boundaries following the publication of a new set of guidelines.

An international team of researchers from the Earth Commission, including the University of Exeter’s Professor Gail Whiteman, outlined 10 principles and a protocol which ‘translate’ Earth system boundaries into budgets so that cities and businesses can incorporate them into their operations.

Earth system boundaries are limits within which the Earth system can function without incurring significant harm to people, and relate to the climate, the terrestrial biosphere, freshwater, nutrients and air pollution.

‘Translating’ is a process in which ESBs are converted into budgets that are more meaningful for stakeholders – converting them, for example, into budgets for volume of freshwater use per year, or amount of nitrogen fertiliser applied per hectare per year.

“Respecting ESBs requires concerted actions from diverse actors – including states, cities, businesses – based on a clear and shared understanding of their fair share of resources and responsibilities,” lead author Professor Xuemei Bai said, highlighting the importance of collaboration and shared commitment.

The study presents 10 principles for conducting this process of translation in an effective and fair manner.

Read the full story here.