Former GLP Co-chair Peter Verburg and GLP Member Sandra Díaz have been chosen to serve on the Earth Commission, a group of 19 leading international experts who will identify risks and develop a coherent suite of scientific targets to protect Earth’s life support systems. The Earth Commission was announced by Future Earth on September 19th.
The group will begin immediately – and complete by 2021 – a high-level synthesis of scientific knowledge on the biophysical processes that regulate Earth’s stability and targets to ensure this stability. The commission will also explore social transformations required for sustainable development to reach these targets.
The goal, ultimately, is to translate these into tangible science-based targets for Earth, specifically tailored to cities and companies. This translational work will be undertaken by a new Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) comprised of leading NGOs, enabling cities and companies to reduce their impact on and restore our oceans, freshwater, land, and biodiversity.
The aim is to make this standard practice in leading companies and cities by 2025.
Future Earth will host the Earth Commission’s scientific secretariat in collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA).
The Earth Commission and the Science Based Targets Network are parts of the Global Commons Alliance, a network of organizations aiming to ensure our planet remains habitable.