An aspirational approach to planetary futures

Erle C. Ellis (), Yadvinder Malhi, Hannah Ritchie, Jasper Montana, Sandra Díaz, David Obura, Susan Clayton, Melissa Leach, Laura Pereira, Emma Marris, Michael Muthukrishna, Bojie Fu, Peter Frankopan, Molly K. Grace, Samira Barzin, Krushil Watene, Nicholas Depsky, Josefin Pasanen and Pedro Conceição
Additional contact information
Erle C. Ellis: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Yadvinder Malhi: University of Oxford
Hannah Ritchie: University of Oxford
Jasper Montana: University of Oxford
Sandra Díaz: University of Oxford
David Obura: CORDIO East Africa
Susan Clayton: The College of Wooster
Melissa Leach: University of Cambridge
Laura Pereira: University of the Witwatersrand
Emma Marris: Independent researcher
Michael Muthukrishna: London School of Economics and Political Science
Bojie Fu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Peter Frankopan: University of Oxford
Molly K. Grace: University of Oxford
Samira Barzin: University of Oxford
Krushil Watene: Auckland Central
Nicholas Depsky: United Nations Development Programme
Josefin Pasanen: United Nations Development Programme
Pedro Conceição: United Nations Development Programme

Nature, 2025, vol. 642, issue 8069, 889-899

Abstract: Abstract Prevailing frameworks to address planetary environmental challenges tend to focus on setting goals, targets, or boundaries to limit human harm to ecosystems or species. Here we propose an aspirational approach aimed at empowering people to shape a better future for all of life on Earth. We do this by building on the human development approach and its supporting metrics, especially the Human Development Index (HDI), a broadly influential framework that has contributed to decades of human progress by measuring and promoting people’s capabilities to lead the lives that they value. Rather than assessing the state or dynamics of the biosphere, we propose the Nature Relationship Index (NRI), which would focus on measuring the progress of nations towards delivering mutually beneficial relationships among people and the rest of the living world in terms that people widely understand and value. Through an open-ended process informed by expert consultation, international concept testing and indicator development, the NRI could help to incentivize progress towards a world in which humanity thrives together with the rest of life on Earth. We explore the challenges and opportunities of developing a robust NRI and invite broader participation to facilitate this development in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09080-1

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