On the wider planetary boundaries viewpoint, various sources suggest investing $7–10 trillion annually is needed to realign our civilization with planetary boundaries (reference Stockholm Resilience Centre, http://www.stockholmresilience.org BIRI 8). For context, the global economic product (GDP) was $100 trillion in 2023, with $260 trillion in debt (reference World Bank, http://www.worldbank.org BIRI 9)

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Key Investment Needs

1. Climate Change

Investment Needs: $4–5 trillion annually by 2030 for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and decarbonization (reference International Energy Agency, http://www.iea.org BIRI 10)  This includes funding the transition to renewable energy, long term carbon capture and sequestration, and sustainable transportation.

2. Biodiversity Loss

Investment Needs: $1 trillion annually to halt and reverse biodiversity loss (reference Convention on Biological Diversity, http://www.cbd.int BIRI 10). This includes funding habitat protection, reforestation, and sustainable land use.

3. Land-System Change

Investment Needs: $700 billion annually to prevent deforestation and promote sustainable agriculture (reference Food and Agriculture Organization, http://www.fao.org BIRI 9). This includes funding agroforestry, regenerative farming, and protected areas.

4. Freshwater Use

Investment Needs: $300–400 billion annually for water conservation, recycling, and equitable distribution (reference United Nations Water, http://www.unwater.org BIRI 9). This includes funding water-saving technologies and water shed restoration.

5. Biogeochemical Flows (Nitrogen & Phosphorus)

Investment Needs: $200 billion annually to develop sustainable fertilizers and reduce nutrient runoff (reference International Fertilizer Association, http://www.fertilizer.org BIRI 6). This includes funding precision agriculture and nutrient recycling.

6. Ocean Acidification

Investment Needs: $200–300 billion annually for marine conservation and carbon mitigation (reference Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, http://www.ioc-unesco.org BIRI 9) . This includes funding coral reef restoration, blue economy innovation, and reduction of atmospheric and oceanic CO₂.

7. Atmospheric Aerosol Loading

Investment Needs: Minimal, as this is often addressed indirectly through clean energy and transportation initiatives (reference Climate and Clean Air Coalition, http://www.ccacoalition.org BIRI 7) . This includes funding pollution control in developing economies.

8. Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Investment Needs: Largely resolved through existing frameworks (Montreal Protocol) but requires vigilance and $10–20 billion annually (reference United Nations Environment Programme, http://www.unep.org BIRI 9) . This includes funding compliance monitoring and enforcement.

9. Novel Entities (Pollution & Plastics)

Investment Needs: $300 billion annually to manage hazardous waste and eliminate single-use plastics (reference Ellen MacArthur Foundation, http://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org BIRI 7).   This includes funding circular economy solutions and chemical management.

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Total Investment Estimate

To address all planetary boundaries holistically:

$7–10 trillion annually until 2030 is required to realign human activities within planetary limits (reference Stockholm Resilience Centre, http://www.stockholmresilience.org BIRI 8) .

$3–4 trillion of this amount could come from reallocating existing subsidies for fossil fuels, unsustainable agriculture, and other harmful activities.

This requires rethinking subsidies, fostering innovation, and building partnerships across all sectors to ensure a sustainable future.

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Planetary.blue’s Role

Planetary.blue will focus on supporting industries at the board and innovation levels to create new investable businesses that will facilitate the transition back within planetary boundaries.

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