Thematic Study: Planetary Boundaries

In the context of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework, this thematic study has been developed to provide insights into planetary boundaries science and how best to elevate the importance of risk-informed development in the key global regimes such as the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, Financing for Development, Decade for Water Action and One Health. Equally important, the thematic study explores how the planetary boundaries paradigm relates to the priorities for action of the Sendai Framework – understanding risk, risk governance, investing in disaster risk reduction, and prevention. Key insights and recommendations have been framed to respond to key gaps and to identify how best to draw on planetary boundaries science to strengthen the implementation of the Sendai Framework, offer policy guidance and practical action to accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework, and to support the transition from creating risk to building resilience in a COVID-19 transformed world.

This thematic study provides a detailed overview of the planetary boundaries framework, explores insight from planetary boundaries science in relation to the Sendai Framework’s Goal and Outcome, and addresses the relationship of planetary boundaries and the systemic nature of risk with the key regimes noted above.