Library | ESG issues
Planetary Boundaries
The planetary boundaries framework outlines nine critical Earth system processes that regulate global stability and resilience. Exceeding these boundaries due to human activity risks irreversible environmental change, necessitating aligned strategies to mitigate impacts and safeguard long-term ecological balance. This framework can be used as a tool for assessing the environmental risks of companies and investments, helping financial institutions evaluate exposure to ecological degradation, align with sustainability goals, and drive capital toward businesses that operate within safe environmental limits.
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Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance
This report presents an updated “Doughnut” framework, tracking 35 social and ecological indicators from 2000–2022. Findings show only modest progress on reducing deprivation, while ecological overshoot has worsened, with wealthier nations driving most impacts. The study highlights stark inequalities and calls for regenerative, distributive economic approaches.
Unlocking the sustainable transition for agribusiness
This report examines how entrenched political and market structures hinder agribusinesses from transitioning to sustainable models. It identifies three systemic “lock-ins” and outlines how policy reforms, financial incentives, and political commitment can unlock agribusiness potential to drive food system transformation at scale and pace.
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide, established in 1874, is Australia's third-oldest university and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight. Ranked among the top 100 globally, it offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Located in Adelaide, South Australia, the university is renowned for its research excellence and vibrant campus life.
Exploring pathways for world development within planetary boundaries
The report assesses global development scenarios to 2050 using planetary boundaries. Current trends worsen conditions across key Earth system indicators, except ozone depletion. Implementing strong sustainability measures, including climate agreements, diet shifts, and resource efficiency, significantly reduces boundary breaches but still leaves climate, biodiversity, and nutrient flows at risk.
An introduction to key ecological concepts, financial opportunities, and risks underpinning aspirations for nature positive
The report introduces key ecological concepts critical to achieving a nature-positive future. It outlines the financial opportunities and risks involved, emphasising the need for collaboration between ecologists and business professionals to effectively implement nature-positive strategies. The report also highlights the challenges and complexities in aligning ecological goals with financial instruments.
Regenerative development and design
The report explores the necessity and principles of regenerative development, aiming to create thriving living systems that evolve toward greater health and vitality. It emphasises aligning human actions with natural systems, integrating ancient wisdom with modern science, and fostering holistic, co-creative partnerships between people and the planet for sustainable and thriving futures.
A new economy: Exploring the root causes of the polycrisis and the principles to unlock a sustainable future
The report examines the systemic flaws of the current economic model, highlighting ecological, social, and geoeconomic crises. It proposes transitioning to a regenerative economy based on principles of sufficiency, circularity, systems thinking, equity, and redefining value to achieve sustainable and equitable growth.
Climate scorpion – the sting is in the tail: Introducing planetary solvency
The report explores the risks and impact of climate change on a global scale. The report emphasises the need for a realistic risk assessment urgently and laying out a blueprint on developing a Planetary Solvency framework.
Safe and just Earth system boundaries
This report sets safe and just Earth system boundaries (ESBs) for domains including climate, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and identifies sub-global ESBs for avoiding Earth system destabilization. Achieving these ESBs requires a systemic transformation across sectors and addressing drivers of Earth system change for a safe and just future.
Climate endgame: Exploring catastrophic climate change scenarios
This report explores the potential for worldwide societal collapse and human extinction due to anthropogenic climate change. It argues that this topic has not been given enough consideration despite existing evidence of catastrophic outcomes. The proposed research agenda seeks to understand the likelihood and mechanisms of such events and their implications for policy.
Rethinking impact to finance the SDGs
This paper examines the financing gap for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and proposes new innovative solutions for stakeholders, including the need for stronger integrated planning, strategic thinking and policy integration to meet the US$5-7tn annual financing requirement.
Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries
Six of nine planetary boundaries are exceeding safe thresholds, with ocean acidification and aerosol loading at tipping points. Maintaining functional biosphere integrity requires controlling human appropriation of net primary production. Earth system modelling illustrates the need to consider anthropogenic impacts on Earth in a systemic way.
Reinventing capitalism: A transformation agenda
This issue brief by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) explores the need for a reinvented capitalism that prioritises true value over value extraction. It examines the unsustainable outcomes of contemporary capitalism and presents a transformation agenda to help steer businesses towards a sustainable global economy.
Creating city portraits: A methodological guide from The Thriving Cities Initiative
This report introduces a practical approach to visualizing sustainable urban development. Based on the 'doughnut' concept, the guide provides insight into the holistic nature of thriving cities and acts as a transformative tool for policymakers.
Summary for policymakers of the methodological assessment regarding the diverse conceptualisation of multiple values of nature and its benefits, including biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services
This paper is on the diverse conceptualisations of multiple values of nature, its benefits, and the valuation of nature asserts that policymaking frequently ignores nature's assorted values, focusing on only a small subset, and details how diversity in valuation is salient but challenging.
Global tipping points
The 2023 report explores ways to prevent potentially irreversible changes to the Earth's natural systems and recommends coordinated global action and governance. It also highlights positive tipping points in technology, economics, and society that can aid a sustainable future.
