Bringing EU policy into line with the Planetary Boundaries
The Planetary Boundaries framework proposes quantitative limits for human perturbation of critical Earth system processes, defining a global "safe operating space". The framework can help in…
Low-emission pathways in 11 major economies: comparison of cost-optimal pathways and Paris climate proposals
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of climate policy, it is important to understand emission trends and policies at the national level. The 2015 Paris Agreement includes (Intended) Nationally…
Spatiotemporal dynamics of soil phosphorus and crop uptake in global cropland during the 20th century
Phosphorus (P) plays a vital role in global crop production and food security. In this study, we investigate the changes in soil P pool inventories calibrated from historical countrywide crop P uptake…
Fiscal Instruments for Sustainable Development: The Case of Land Taxes
Land taxes are not the first thing policymakers think of when considering an intervention to stimulate sustainable development. Land taxes provide however an untapped potential for domestic revenue…
A framework for modelling the complexities of food and water security under globalisation
In our globalised world, food security and water security are inextricably intertwined. Food production accounts for approximately 70 % of global freshwater use, with variability in agricultural…
Assessment of wind and solar power in global low-carbon energy scenarios: An introduction
This preface introduces the special section on the assessment of wind and solar in global low-carbon energy scenarios. The special section documents the results of a coordinated research effort to…
Hunting is a major threat to wildlife in tropical regions
Hunting is a major threat to wildlife particularly in tropical regions. A systematic large-scale estimate of hunting-induced loss of animal species was lacking so far. A study published in Science on…
In December 2015 in Paris, leaders committed to achieve global, net decarbonization of human activities before 2100. This achievement would halt and even reverse anthropogenic climate change through…
Quantifying biodiversity footprints of Dutch economic sectors: A global supply-chain analysis
Economic sectors contribute to biodiversity loss through environmental pressures, such as land use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both directly via their production processes and indirectly via…
Perspectives on the future of nature in Europe: storylines and visualisations
The occurrence of many species in the EU is expected to decline further, making it difficult to achieve the 2050 policy vision. The Nature Outlook study elaborates four perspectives on the future of…