Exploring pathways for world development within planetary boundaries

Vuuren, Detlef P. van; Doelman, Jonathan; Tagomori, Isabela Schmidt; Beusen, Arthur; Cornell, Sarah; Rockström, Johan; Schipper, Aafke M.; Stehfest, Elke; Ambrósio, Geanderson; Berg, Maarten van den; Bouwman, Lex; Daioglou, Vassilis; Harmsen, Mathijs; Lucas, Paul; Wijst, Kaj-Ivar van der; Zeist, Willem-Jan van

doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08928-w

articleNatureMay 14, 2025HYBRID OA

Exploring pathways for world development within planetary boundaries

DPDetlef P. van Vuuren JDJonathan Doelman ISIsabela Schmidt Tagomori ABArthur Beusen SCSarah Cornell

Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency · Utrecht University · +8 more institutions

PubMed

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Abstract

The pressures humanity has been placing on the environment have put Earth’s stability at risk. The planetary boundaries framework serves as a method to define a ‘safe operating space for humanity’1,2 and has so far been applied mostly to highlight the currently prevailing unsustainable environmental conditions. The ability to evaluate trends over time, however, can help us explore the consequences of alternative policy decisions and identify pathways for living within planetary boundaries3. Here we use the Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment4 to project control variables for eight out of nine planetary boundaries under alternative scenarios to 2050, both with and without strong environmental…

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Astrobiology
Biology

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