Transforming our planet through science: Takeaways from the 2024 Frontiers Planet Prize Award Ceremony
In June 2024, the second edition of the Frontiers Planet Prize Award Ceremony took place in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. Hosted by the Frontiers Research Foundation in partnership with the Villars Institute, the three-day event brought together 100 leading academics, policymakers, philanthropists, and public and private sector representatives to celebrate and engage with the transformational science put forward by this year’s Frontiers Planet Prize National and International Champions. The aim of this article is to provide a summary of the key activities and takeaways of this 2024 Award Ceremony event.
Championing change as a community
The focus of the event was on planetary boundary science and pathways to a healthy planet, exploring both the latest research directions and strategies for integrating this science into policy, the private sector, and civil society. Participants engaged in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and presentations, contributing to the larger dialogue around achieving a nature-positive economy. Key questions underpinning the event were:
1. What should be the next steps on the scientific research agenda to enhance breakthrough potential in planetary boundary science?
2. How can research in planetary boundary science be amplified in global policy, economics, and society, therefore maximizing its transformative insights?
To better answer these questions, participants began by examining the research of the 2024 National Champions. Chosen by the independent Jury of 100, a group of renowned earth system and planetary health experts, the 23 National Champions were recognized for their impactful research, which promises considerable progress in keeping the planet within its safe operating space. Their groundbreaking work enhances our understanding of the Earth's ecological system and proposes pathways towards transformative solutions with respect to the nine planetary boundaries.
Breakout group during the Frontiers Planet Prize community workshop session. Photo credit: Marius Burgelman
The community workshop session acted as a catalyst for dialogue, providing an opportunity for the participants to familiarize themselves with these new scientific developments. It also enabled the National Champions to further develop their research to bridge existing knowledge gaps and enhance the transformative capacity of their findings. Organized into subgroups addressing the research themes of the global commons – such as climate systems, clean air and environment, and biodiversity conservation – participants identified actionable steps to steer the direction of scientific inquiry and its effective implementation. They then came together to share their takeaways.
To enhance the impact of sustainability science, it's crucial to address data deficiencies and foster inclusivity, ensuring that research reflects the diversity of the target population, including traditionally underrepresented communities and regions. Adopting a holistic, systems-thinking perspective is equally essential, considering the interplay between science, society, and the environment. This will require dismantling barriers between disciplines and embracing a collaborative approach that integrates insights from the natural and social sciences, community-led research, and Indigenous knowledge. From there, a clear path forward is necessary, with many of the groups advocating for a mission-oriented strategy in sustainability science, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an example of the type of blueprint needed. Extending these goals to 2050 could not only better facilitate their fulfillment, but also chart a course for future scientific endeavors. Regardless of the direction, the consensus was that human needs must be at the core of all initiatives with social equity being key in ensuring a fair, just transition and garnering the necessary trust and support for systemic change.
To amplify the influence of this enhanced science and spur the transformative action required to address the climate crisis, the groups underscored the role of social sciences in analyzing the factors that enable change, the drivers of positive and negative change, and biases influencing these changes. Additionally, they stressed the importance of effectively communicating scientific knowledge to decision makers so they can take informed, evidence-based action. However, participants recognized that strong communication only addresses short-term needs. Long-term needs are better addressed through education by integrating sustainability science into curricula starting at an early stage. This will equip future generations to steer us in the right direction and adeptly apply new scientific insights as our collective knowledge evolves.
Despite outlining a comprehensive action plan, the groups conveyed an unequivocal message: the fight against climate change is far from over. Amidst widespread ecoanxiety, there remains a global commitment to action. Leveraging the research of the National Champions and enhancing the breakthrough potential of their current and future work will drive the systemic change needed.
An update on Earth's health
Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and chairman of Frontiers Planet Prize Jury of 100, during his presentation “Safe and just planetary boundaries: An update on Earth's health” at the 2024 Frontiers Planet Prize Award Ceremony. Photo credit: Oliver O'Hanlon
“The only currency that counts today is scale and speed. There's no future for incrementality anymore. Now is the time to find the scalable, innovative solutions. The science of the Frontiers Planet Prize is about scalable solutions that can be accelerated.”
While efforts are being made to devise and implement solutions, the climate crisis is intensifying. Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and chairman of Frontiers Planet Prize Jury of 100, provided an update to the Frontiers Planet Prize community regarding the planet's condition. The latest version of the planetary boundaries framework has not only quantified all nine processes but also indicated that six of those boundaries have been transgressed, suggesting that the Earth has surpassed the safe operating limits for human existence. We are witnessing the consequences of our unsustainable pressures on the Earth's system through intensified weather phenomena such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves, along with their associated economic costs, which amount to hundreds of billions of dollars each year.
Rockström highlighted that we are experiencing a rapid increase in global temperatures at a pace that is currently inexplicable. In some instances, reality has strayed from predictions, and climate models are struggling to replicate the current situation. This is likely due to the Earth's system losing its resilience, diminishing its capacity to mitigate the stresses of human activity. Consequently, it is increasingly likely that we will exceed the 1.5-degree threshold, continuing to lead us down a path of more severe climate-related events. Rockström emphasized the urgency of altering our current trajectory in a safe and just manner, noting that science can offer structured pathways to guide us safely back within the planetary boundaries. However, time is crucial and incremental changes are no longer enough.
Repeating his call for urgent action, Rockström said, “The only currency that counts today is scale and speed. There's no future for incrementality anymore. Now is the time to find the scalable, innovative solutions. The science of the Frontiers Planet Prize is about scalable solutions that can be accelerated.”
Awarding the 2024 International Champions
This reminder steered the conversation back to ongoing efforts. The community workshop highlighted that, like the 2024 National Champions, researchers globally are diligently working to identify solutions for healthier, happier lives on a sustainable planet. The Frontiers Planet Prize plays a crucial role in elevating such vital research by providing financial support, global recognition, and opportunities for collaboration. This support is instrumental in shaping policies and practices, raising public awareness, and accelerating the development of sustainable solutions.
Petra Holden, 2023 co-International Champion representing South Africa, returned to this year's award ceremony to discuss the effect the Frontiers Planet Prize has had on her and her team since they won the inaugural award, describing it as “pivotal." The prize not only enabled the team to set up further research groups and expand on their work, but it has also been “influential to push research into application [and] spend time working with diverse stakeholders, from locals and policymakers to NGOs.”
Building on this foundation, the Frontiers Planet Prize announced the 2024 International Champions. Selected by the Jury of 100 for their research that offers the greatest transformational potential and global scalability, each of the three International Champions received 1 million Swiss francs to support their research.
(left to right) Jean-Claude Burgelman, director, Frontiers Planet Prize; Pedro Jaureguiberry, 2024 International Champion – Argentina; Johan Rockström, director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and chairman, Frontiers Planet Prize Jury of 100. Photo credit: Oliver O’Hanlon
Dr Pedro Jaureguiberry, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (CONICET-UNC), Argentina
The direct drivers of recent global anthropogenic biodiversity loss
Dr Jaureguiberry’s work explores the balance of our ecological systems, which are vital for human health, and aims to identify the anthropogenic drivers that most significantly affect biodiversity. Gaining a deeper understanding of these drivers will enable the discovery of novel and inventive methods to safeguard our planet. As Dr Jaureguiberry notes, “Our research’s insights on drivers of biodiversity loss are key to informing effective policies and for transformative action.”
(left to right) Jean-Claude Burgelman, director, Frontiers Planet Prize; Ellen Welti, co-lead author; Peter Haase, 2024 International Champion – Germany; Johan Rockström, director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and chairman, Frontiers Planet Prize Jury of 100. Photo credit: Oliver O’Hanlon
Professor Peter Haase, Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, Germany, and co-lead author Dr Ellen Welti, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, USA
The recovery of European freshwater biodiversity has come to a halt
Professor Haase and Dr Welti shed light on the challenges confronting freshwater ecosystems in Europe, ultimately causing biodiversity loss and rendering them highly vulnerable. Their work examines the outcomes of previous conservation efforts to preserve freshwater biodiversity and proposes strategies for immediate and future actions and their effects on the planet. These insights are essential for informing policymakers on which measures to implement. Professor Haase commented, “Legislative measures can promote recovery in freshwater ecosystems, but recovery recently stalled, thus further action is critically needed.”
(left to right) Jean-Claude Burgelman, director, Frontiers Planet Prize; Alexandra Sack, co-author; Jason Rohr, 2024 International Champion – USA; Johan Rockström, director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and chairman, Frontiers Planet Prize Jury of 100. Photo credit: Oliver O’Hanlon
Professor Jason Rohr and co-author Dr Alexandra Sack, the University of Notre Dame, USA
A planetary health innovation for disease, food, and water challenges in Africa
In their research, Professor Rohr, Dr Sack, and their co-authors adopt an innovative perspective by considering poverty, health, and environmental concerns as interconnected challenges, rather than isolated ones. They focus on a project addressing Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that puts more than 800 million people at risk worldwide. Their findings demonstrate the necessity for creative and integrated strategies to tackle complex issues. This fresh mindset has the potential to inspire fundamental shifts needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On their approach, Professor Rohr said, “We hope that our innovation will serve as a prototype and inspiration for other planetary health innovations that address multiple SDGs.”
Commenting on the 2024 Frontiers Planet Prize International Champions, Johan Rockström stated, “The remarkable contributions of the three international winners underscore the critical importance of interdisciplinary research in safeguarding our planet’s future. Their innovative approaches exemplify the spirit of the Frontiers Planet Prize, fostering a deeper understanding of planetary boundaries and providing a roadmap for a more sustainable and resilient world.”
The scientific path to systems change
The Frontiers Planet Prize Award Ceremony is an important springboard for the 2024 National and International Champions. These Champions are set to play a fundamental role in driving the systemic change required to ensure the health of our planet. They will continue to share their research at national and international conferences with leading decision makers. This is made possible through the support of the prize's strategic partners, including Future Earth, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research Impact, the International Science Council (ISC), and the Villars Institute.
“No time to waste” panel session. (left to right) Nicole Schwab, co-head, World Economic Forum (WEF); Massamba Thioye, project executive, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); Céline Abecassis-Moedas, associate professor, Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics; Salvatore Aricò, CEO, International Science Council (ISC); Johan Rockström, director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and chairman, Frontiers Planet Prize Jury of 100. Photo credit: Marius Burgelman
Many of these partners attended the award ceremony to jumpstart the adoption and application of these new, award-winning discoveries. A panel session, entitled “No time to waste,” featured speakers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research Impact, the International Science Council, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics. Hosted by Nicole Schwab, co-head of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the group of experts discussed how planetary boundary research can be shaped and amplified to allow it to influence policy and practice for a sustainable future.
Sandrine Dixson-Declève, co-president of the Club of Rome, delivering her keynote presentation, “Building an Earth for All: The role of systems science” at the 2024 Frontiers Planet Prize Award Ceremony. Photo credit: Marius Burgelman
“The speed of action on planetary boundaries is a function of the speed of action on inequality and poverty.”
Dedicated keynote speakers further underlined the pressing need to transition to a science-driven, systems approach guided the planetary boundary science of the Frontiers Planet Prize. In her speech, “Building an Earth for All: The role of systems science,” Sandrine Dixson-Declève, co-president of the Club of Rome, observed how we have lost sight of what's important to humanity over the last several decades, with far more emphasis placed on the bottom line than global wellbeing. We are unable to describe our relationship to nature and much of that can be attributed to a lack of systems thinking and the exponential growth of social and environmental tipping points. What is needed is a new systems change agenda that incorporates both planetary boundaries and social tipping points, recognizing their interconnectedness.
She referenced the Earth 4 All model as an example of a comprehensive framework that proposes a new socio-economic system that prioritizes sustainability and equity. It outlines five turnaround areas – addressing poverty, inequality, empowerment, food, and energy – for achieving global wellbeing without exceeding planetary boundaries, focusing on universal basic services, regenerative resource use, and wealth redistribution. The model serves as a blueprint for collective action, aiming to ensure a just transition to a sustainable future for all and presenting a vision for a more resilient society where humanity thrives. As Dixson-Declève remarked, “The speed of action on planetary boundaries is a function of the speed of action on inequality and poverty.” She praised the Frontiers Planet Prize for its “wonderful” role in assessing the influence of science on numerous planetary boundaries, an important aspect of an integrated systems change approach.
John Bell, director of Healthy Planet at the European Commission, during his keynote presentation, “Restoring trust in transition: The European Green Deal mission,” at the 2024 Frontiers Planet Prize Award Ceremony. Photo credit: Marius Burgelman
“Science has a duty to give courage to politics, hope to citizens, space to innovators, and respite to nature. And that is what I've seen [through the Frontiers Planet Prize].”
John Bell, director of Healthy Planet at the European Commission, echoed the call for a cohesive systems approach to make the vision of a sustainable future a reality. Delivering this transition by design will require mission thinking, complete with defined goals, intellectual collaboration, and engagement across various groups, facilitated by initiatives like the Frontiers Planet Prize. Most importantly, it will require the mobilization of people – a transition by consent. The integration of social, behavioral, and political science with natural sciences will outline not only the objectives, but also the means, collaborators, locations, and points of action. Bell emphasized that science serves as the voice of nature and the voices of scientists striving to transform the planetary boundaries from an aspiration into reality must be amplified to ensure proactive measures. Such informed, mission-driven systemic reform is central to achieving milestones like the European Green Deal on our path to a safe, healthy planet. Bell concluded, “Science has a duty to give courage to politics, hope to citizens, space to innovators, and respite to nature. And that is what I've seen [through the Frontiers Planet Prize].”
A green renaissance
Reflecting on the second edition of the Frontiers Planet Prize, director Jean-Claude Burgelman said, “Science holds the key to our sustainable future, and the Frontiers Planet Prize is a testament to that. It honors the collective knowledge and breakthroughs of the scientific community, driving us towards solutions that matter. It's the spark that will ignite a green renaissance. While we facilitate the prize, it's the scientific community who owns it. We congratulate this year's National and International Champions, who have shown us that through science, a greener, more resilient world is within our reach, and whose work will guide us in making that a reality.”
As the Frontiers Planet Prize enters its third year, it is not just a continuation, but an expansion of the vision set forth. The community continues to grow, with more national academies and research institutions from around the world participating, and more researchers advancing planetary health science. The announcement of the third edition of the Frontiers Planet Prize's National and International Champions is set for 2025.
About the Frontiers Planet Prize
The Frontiers Planet Prize is a global competition for scientists and research institutions to propose solutions to help the planet remain within the safe operating space of any one or more of the nine planetary boundaries. It was created by the Frontiers Research Foundation on Earth Day 2022 to mobilize the global scientific community, make it complete at the highest level of excellence, and contribute to the acceleration of concrete solutions to the challenges defined by the planetary boundaries. To date, it has drawn together hundreds of scientists, 20 national academies of science, 475 leading universities and research institutions to compete for three prizes of 1M Swiss francs each as adjudicated by a Jury of 100 leading sustainability scientists.
About the Frontiers Research Foundation
The Frontiers Research Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Switzerland, which was founded by Kamila and Henry Markram, neuroscientists from the Swiss Federal Institute for Technology (EPFL). It raises funds to support programs that accelerate scientific solutions for healthy lives on a healthy planet.
