The study defines safe and just Earth system boundaries for various domains like climate, biosphere, water, and nutrients. It finds that seven of eight globally quantified safe and just ESBs are already exceeded, calling for a transformative change across sectors to ensure human well-being and Earth system stability.

The authors declare no competing interests. The Earth Commission, which produced this study, receives funding from various philanthropic organizations and government agencies focused on environmental sustainability. This funding could potentially influence the research agenda or interpretation of findings, although the authors emphasize the independence of the commission.

This paper presents a novel and important framework for assessing Earth system health and human well-being in an integrated manner. The quantification of safe and just Earth system boundaries (ESBs) provides a valuable tool for policymakers and other actors to guide actions towards a sustainable future. While the study relies on expert judgment and faces data limitations in some areas, its comprehensive scope, rigorous methodology, and focus on justice considerations make it a significant contribution to the field. The potential for funding influence slightly lowers the rating.