.... even this ambitious climate change mitigation pathway, which is compatible with the Paris Agreement, leaves all the planetary boundaries assessed in this study (ie, climate change, nitrogen surplus, freshwater change, land-system change, and biosphere integrity) transgressed by the end of the century. Still, the combination of all land-system measures (ie, both demand-side and supply-side measures) leads to a substantial shift towards the safe operating space for humanity. Through a scenario decomposition approach, we assessed the relevance of individual supply-side climate change mitigation measures, revealing interactions between the different measures. Land-system, supply-side mitigation through improved agricultural management, protection, and restoration of natural ecosystems, and bioenergy provision to the energy system reduces transgressions for most planetary boundaries. However, trade-offs are evident for freshwater use. Although increased bioenergy supply alone exacerbates planetary boundary transgression in the land system, its adverse effects are alleviated when combined with other supply-side measures. Additionally, demand-side changes in the food system through shifting to a planetary health diet and reducing food waste to roughly 50% of its current level in high-income countries eases land-system pressure, benefits all the assessed planetary boundaries, and alleviates trade-offs.

Volume 9, Issue 10101249October 2025Open accessDownload Full Issue

Planetary boundaries under a land-based climate change mitigation scenario with a food demand transformation: a modelling study

Felicitas D Beier, MAa,b beier@pik-potsdam.de ∙

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(25)00087-7/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

A climate of constant change will have physical and mental impacts on people – from water quality issues to a feeling of homesickness, where you feel you don’t belong.

Animals are sentient beings too – they have friends, they suffer. They can communicate to us they’re in discomfort. In a hotter climate with more drastic events, animals also face impacts to their welfare and wellbeing. The more the climate changes, the more they’ll be constrained in their nature, especially by over-farming practices.

Plants may not think, but they definitely communicate with each other, through chemistry.

Lincoln University’s farm is designed for the future, for climate change in a constant climate of change. The animals’ wellbeing, their whole health, as well as that of the farmers and the people the farm feeds are key considerations. We use system thinking and complex adaptive system theory.

The farm and the herd are designed to cope with climate change – and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For the wellbeing of animals, we have incorporated woody vegetation that is multifunctional – offering bioactives, as well as shade and shelter.

We’ve reduced emissions by 25%, by reducing inputs of nitrogen fertiliser and the stocking rate, while maintaining productivity and increasing profitability.

Prof Pablo Gregorini, of Lincoln University.