From Science to Policy: Planetary Solutions in Action translates cutting-edge scientific research into actionable policy pathways to address the accelerating planetary crisis. Developed by UNU-CPR in partnership with Frontiers Policy Labs and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the report draws on the work of the 25 fourth edition national champions of the 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize to identify scalable solutions across key environmental systems.
The report, released on Earth Day (22 April) and coinciding with the announcement of the champions, is structured around four priority pillars for policy action: decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, managing increasingly volatile water systems, protecting biodiversity within productive landscapes, and advancing economic and institutional transformation for sustainability.
A central finding is that current policy frameworks systematically underestimate environmental risks. At the same time, advances in spatial analysis and emissions tracking are enabling more precise and cost-effective interventions.
The report identifies governance – not technology – as the primary constraint on progress. Misaligned incentives, market dynamics, fragmented institutional arrangements and regulatory barriers continue to limit the deployment of proven solutions. It also underscores that inclusion is essential to effective policy design. Integrating local and Indigenous knowledge improves both environmental outcomes and social legitimacy.
Overall, the report delivers a clear message: the scientific basis for addressing the planetary crisis is well established. The key challenge now is translating that knowledge into coordinated, timely and large-scale policy action.
Read From Science to Policy: Planetary Solutions in Action here.
