Published papers

The stability and resilience of the Earth system and human well-being are inseparably linked1,2,3, yet their interdependencies are generally under-recognized; consequently, they are often treated independently4,5. Here, we use modelling and literature assessment to quantify safe and just Earth system boundaries (ESBs) for climate, the biosphere, water and nutrient cycles, and aerosols at global and subglobal scales. We propose ESBs for maintaining the resilience and stability of the Earth system (safe ESBs) and minimizing exposure to significant harm to humans from Earth system change (a necessary but not sufficient condition for justice)4. The stricter of the safe or just boundaries sets the integrated safe and just ESB. Our findings show that justice considerations constrain the integrated ESBs more than safety considerations for climate and atmospheric aerosol loading. Seven of eight globally quantified safe and just ESBs and at least two regional safe and just ESBs in over half of global land area are already exceeded. We propose that our assessment provides a quantitative foundation for safeguarding the global commons for all people now and into the future.

This special issue is the first collection of papers written in Japanese on the SDGs in the discipline of international relations. It is published in a timely manner at the half way of the SDGs. Agreed by consensus by all the UN member states in 2015, the SDGs are now recognized by around 80% of population in Japan. As compared to this remarkable number of recognition, only little number of population “understand” what SDGs are. The same seems to be applied to academic community. This special issue is hoping to serve for deeper understanding of the SDGs. We have covered a wide range of issues in this collection. Maeda focuses on non-human perspective and propose bringing such perspective into the study of the SDGs, which could help overcoming shortcomings of the traditional and human-centered international relations. Miyoshiro and Katada bring their attention to business sector. Ways that business practices could contribute to the SDGs, as well as business and human rights issues are addressed. Mashima deals with gender issue, where she focuses on norm that functions for reaching the goals. Hayashi identifies some of the issues that needs more attention in the implementation process of the SDGs by focusing on the SDGs’ impact on NGOs. As the governance through goals is a new methodology and concept for global governance, we need to explore various dimensions of this novel global governance strategy. With serious problems that hinder attainment of the SDGs, such as COVID 19 pandemic, climate crisis and the war in Ukraine, practical demand is also mounting. I hope this special issue paves the way for further study of the SDGs and governance through goal setting in Japan and beyond, and that more transdisciplinary and problem oriented research are employed in the community.