The second member meeting of the year was well attended and brought together researchers from universities across the Nordic region to discuss how scientific knowledge can help societies navigate increasingly complex sustainability challenges while inspiring meaningful action.
The first presentation, delivered by Martin Lehman from Aalborg University, introduced the City Solutions Case Study Atlas, an open-access platform developed within the Urban Climate Change Research Network (UCCRN). The atlas gathers and compares climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives from cities around the world, creating a shared knowledge base for researchers, policymakers and practitioners. By documenting real-world examples through a common framework, the atlas aims to accelerate learning and inspire climate action across urban contexts.
Participants were encouraged to contribute new case studies and share the initiative with municipal and city partners across the Nordic region.
The second presentation featured Katherine Richardson from the University of Copenhagen, who discussed the Planetary Boundaries framework and its relevance for managing humanity’s relationship with the Earth system. The framework identifies critical biophysical processes that regulate the stability and resilience of the planet and defines a safe operating space for humanity.
Richardson highlighted that the latest assessments show that seven of the nine planetary boundaries have now been transgressed, underscoring the growing pressure human activities place on Earth’s life-support systems. Her central message was clear: respecting planetary boundaries is no longer only an environmental concern but increasingly a prerequisite for long-term societal resilience and competitiveness.
The final presentation focused on Planetary Communications, a framework developed by Stockholm Resilience Centre to help sustainability scientists and practitioners communicate more effectively in an era marked by polarisation, misinformation and information overload.
Presented by Marcus Lundstedt and Fredrik Moberg, the framework offers practical guidance for making complex sustainability science more accessible and relatable. Its nine core ingredients include being factful, simplifying messages, linking sustainability to broader societal concerns, inspiring collective action, navigating emotions and making communication personal and visual.
A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the challenge of moving from knowledge to action. Participants reflected on how sustainability communication must address not only scientific facts but also values, emotions, trade-offs and resistance to change. Discussions also highlighted the importance of communicating sustainability as a process that involves both opportunities and difficult choices.
Together, the three presentations illustrated complementary dimensions of sustainability transformation: understanding the biophysical limits of the planet, identifying and sharing practical solutions, and communicating knowledge in ways that engage diverse audiences.
The SDSN Northern Europe secretariat also shared updates on upcoming SDSN activities, including the global launch of the Sustainable Development Report 2026 and Science Day at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
