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Translating Earth system boundaries for cities and businesses

Author

Listed:
  • Xuemei Bai

    (Australian National University)

  • Syezlin Hasan

    (Griffith University)

  • Lauren Seaby Andersen

    (Member of the Leibniz Association)

  • Anders Bjørn

    (Technical University of Denmark
    Technical University of Denmark)

  • Şiir Kilkiş

    (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey)

  • Daniel Ospina

    (Future Earth Secretariat)

  • Jianguo Liu

    (Michigan State University)

  • Sarah E. Cornell

    (Stockholm University)

  • Oscar Sabag Muñoz

    (Science Based Targets Network)

  • Ariane Bremond

    (University of Maryland
    University of Bern)

  • Beatrice Crona

    (Stockholm University
    Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences)

  • Fabrice DeClerck

    (EAT
    Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT of the CGIAR)

  • Joyeeta Gupta

    (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
    University of Amsterdam)

  • Holger Hoff

    (University of Graz)

  • Nebojsa Nakicenovic

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • David Obura

    (CORDIO East Africa)

  • Gail Whiteman

    (University of Exeter Business School)

  • Wendy Broadgate

    (Future Earth Secretariat)

  • Steven J. Lade

    (Australian National University
    Future Earth Secretariat
    Stockholm University)

  • Juan Rocha

    (Future Earth Secretariat
    Stockholm University)

  • Johan Rockström

    (Member of the Leibniz Association
    University of Potsdam)

  • Ben Stewart-Koster

    (Griffith University)

  • Detlef Vuuren

    (Utrecht University
    PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency)

  • Caroline Zimm

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

Abstract

Operating within safe and just Earth system boundaries requires mobilizing key actors across scale to set targets and take actions accordingly. Robust, transparent and fair cross-scale translation methods are essential to help navigate through the multiple steps of scientific and normative judgements in translation, with clear awareness of associated assumptions, bias and uncertainties. Here, through literature review and expert elicitation, we identify commonly used sharing approaches, illustrate ten principles of translation and present a protocol involving key building blocks and control steps in translation. We pay particular attention to businesses and cities, two understudied but critical actors to bring on board.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuemei Bai & Syezlin Hasan & Lauren Seaby Andersen & Anders Bjørn & Şiir Kilkiş & Daniel Ospina & Jianguo Liu & Sarah E. Cornell & Oscar Sabag Muñoz & Ariane Bremond & Beatrice Crona & Fabrice DeClerc, 2024. "Translating Earth system boundaries for cities and businesses," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(2), pages 108-119, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1038_s41893-023-01255-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01255-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Şiir Kılkış & Anders Bjørn & Xuemei Bai & Jianguo Liu & Gail Whiteman & Beatrice Crona & Lauren Seaby Andersen & Syezlin Hasan & Varsha Vijay & Oscar Sabag, 2025. "City–company collaboration towards aligned science-based target setting," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 54-65, January.

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