A triple planetary crisis

This risk is commonly referred to as the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, driven notably by the world’s ever-growing consumption of natural resources. In addition, the depletion of natural resources, which is itself a driver of the triple crisis, is highlighted as a key concern,

• Failure to address climate change. In its 6^th assessment report (AR6) (2021), the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) observes that the cumulative scientific evidence is unequivocal: any further delay in global action on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all. Overshooting 1.5°C may push the earth over several tipping points which, if triggered, will rapidly cascade through socio-economic and ecological systems, leading to severe effects on human and natural systems and imposing important challenges for human adaptation*. Societal choices and actions implemented in the next decade determine the extent to which climate resilient development will be possible.
• Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. The Global Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES, 2019) observes that nature is essential for human well-being and that nature’s contributions to people are not replaceable. Biodiversity is declining faster than at any other point during human history. International environmental goals will not be achieved based on current trajectories, due to the projected impacts of increasing use of land and sea, exploitation of organisms and climate change. As our ecosystems deteriorate so do the sinks that sequester carbon and provide protection against the impacts of climate change, such as floods or extreme heat.

About 75 % of global land surface is significantly altered, 66 % of the ocean area is experiencing human impacts, over 85 % of wetland area has been lost, and around 1 million species face extinction.

• Pollution. In its report Towards a Pollution-Free Planet, UNEP observes that pollution is not a new phenomenon; it is largely controllable and often avoidable, but considerably neglected. Pollution puts stress on ecosystems and often imposes a disproportionate burden on the poor and the vulnerable such as the elderly, children and the disabled. Responses by governments, business and citizens to pollution remain limited in scope and scale. Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death (9 million annually). World Health Organization (WHO) data show that almost the whole global population (99 %) breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposure**.
• Destructive exploitation of natural resources including raw materials. In its Global Resources Outlook (2024), the UN International Resource Panel has calculated that over the past five decades, our global population has doubled and the use of natural resources has more than tripled. The extraction and processing of natural resources accounts for more than 90 % of our biodiversity loss and water stress and approximately half of our greenhouse gas emissions.

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* OECD (2022), Climate Tipping Points: Insights for Effective Policy Action, OECD Publishing, Paris.

** The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to air pollution and health, solar energy, greenhouse gases and climate forcing, across the world.