Earth Commission – Synthesizing Science to Underpin Science-Based Targets for our Global Commons

Organizer: Steven Lade
Format: Onsite-Online, Afternoon

Abstract:
The Earth Commission is a group of leading global sustainability scientists who will synthesize the latest scientific knowledge on the biophysical and social processes that regulate the stability of the “Global Commons” – our shared land, seas, and atmosphere, as well as the ecosystems and species they host that are critical to supporting life on Earth. The Commission’s work will define the Earth system targets that must be met to ensure a stable and resilient planet. The Earth Commission sits within a broader Global Commons Alliance, a novel and cutting- edge, cross-sectoral coalition that convenes powerful leadership, technology, science, innovation, and communication to positively transform the world’s economic systems and protect the global commons. Within the Global Commons Alliance, the Earth Commission’s work will underpin the work of the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) that will develop methodologies for companies and cities worldwide to set specific science-based targets to adopt sustainable operations and ultimately drive transformations to a global economy operating within environmental boundaries on a socially equitable basis. EarthHQ and the Systems Change Lab will mobilise public engagement and systems transformation towards a resilient future. The session will introduce the Earth Commission and its partners in the Global Commons Alliance, followed by a deep dive into Working Groups 3 and 5 of the Earth Commission on (WG3) Nutrients and Pollution and (WG5) Translation, respectively. WG5 is a key contact point between the Earth Commission and SBTN, engaging in reviewing the challenges associated with translating global Earth system targets to actors at other scales. This session will directly support the SRI2020 themes of Knowledge-to-Action and Securing the Global Environmental Commons.

Themes: Knowledge-to-Action