From Planetary Boundaries to Planetary Solutions
The Challenge
Humanity faces the urgent task of ensuring a thriving future for all while safeguarding the ecological foundations of our planet. The framework of planetary boundaries has shown us where the limits of Earth’s stability lie. The next step is to move from recognizing these boundaries to developing planetary solutions—societal pathways that help us stay within this safe and just operating space.
Our Approach
At the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the research unit Environment and Society investigates how human and natural systems interact, how environmental pressures manifest across scales, and what kinds of societal, institutional, and political changes are needed to support sustainability.
We understand planetary solutions not as isolated fixes, but as transformative processes. They must combine equity, legitimacy, and resilience, and they must connect local and regional strategies with global sustainability goals. This requires interdisciplinary collaboration, new methods, and international dialogue.
Fellows and Workshops
To advance this exploration, the program hosts international fellows and thematic workshops:
• Fellows from around the world join UFZ for periods of collaboration, bringing in fresh perspectives, testing innovative ideas, and contributing their expertise.
• Workshops and events create space for dialogue, reflection, and co-creation of knowledge across disciplines, scales, and contexts.
Together, these activities form a collaborative platform where concepts can be critically assessed, new approaches developed, and pathways towards planetary solutions designed.
Our Goals
Through this program we aim to:
• deepen the understanding of complex interactions between human and natural systems,
• explore innovative and experimental approaches that contribute to sustainability transformations,
• strengthen international cooperation and exchange across disciplines,
• and co-develop strategies that are both scientifically robust and socially legitimate.
Looking Ahead
By linking the recognition of planetary boundaries with the search for planetary solutions, this program seeks to expand the horizons of environmental research and contribute to shaping a sustainable and just future. It is both an intellectual journey and a collaborative effort—bringing together researchers, fellows, and partners from across the globe to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time.