The vision of Future Earth is for people to thrive in a sustainable and equitable world.

Future Earth is a network of scientists, researchers, and innovators designed to provide the knowledge needed to support transformations towards sustainability. Its focus on systems-based approaches seeks to deepen our understanding of complex Earth systems and human dynamics across different disciplines. It uses this understanding to underpin evidence-based policies and strategies for sustainable development.

Future Earth’s Knowledge-Action Networks and Global Research Projects are the mechanism for addressing these complex systems, delivering its research strategy and are the essential links to its key focal challenges.

Strategy

Future Earth develops the knowledge and tools that government, communities, and companies need to meet the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. By understanding connections among environmental, social and economic systems, Future Earth works to facilitate research and innovation, build and mobilize networks and shape the narrative, turning knowledge into action.

• Facilitate research and innovation: its 20 Global Research Projects explore interactions among humans and the planet’s land, air, water and biodiversity. It develops and partners on initiatives that experiment with technology, data, media, and new ideas.
• Build and mobilize networks: Its networks link policy, business and civil leaders with researchers to address themes like health, urbanization, natural assets and more.
• Shape the narrative: it helps incorporate the latest science into global decision-making and engage in conversations on sustainability solutions.