RIKEN-2 RD2

The resilience and stability of the Earth system — recognized as a global commons — are reaching their limits, prompting an urgent need for humanity to transform its socio-economic systems. However, the precise pathways to achieve such a transformation remain uncertain. This collaborative research initiative aims to explore what such a transformation could entail, identify the technological breakthroughs necessary to support it, and examine how these developments would influence the preservation of the global commons. To address these challenges, the project will utilize PIK’s integrated assessment modeling framework to investigate several key areas: the interactions between economic development and planetary boundaries, the interconnections between biosphere boundaries and the climate system, the role of hydrogen and hydrogen-based materials in enabling a sustainable transformation, and the quantitative modeling of potential transformation pathways that stay within planetary boundaries. Additionally, the research will focus on the governance of the global commons by developing effective action guidelines to ensure their safe and just management. The insights gained from this work aim to provide a robust scientific foundation for the sustainable stewardship of Earth's shared systems.