Science-based action to protect people and planet

The global commons are the natural resources we all need to survive: clean air and fertile land, oceans and ice sheets, a stable climate and abundant biodiversity, forests, fresh water and the invisible flows of elements like carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. While we share these global commons, they are being overused by some at the expense of others. Exploitation has now reached a critical point.

GCA represents the world's most forward-looking organisations in philanthropy, science, business and advocacy. The alliance offers pathways for businesses as well as governments and communities to protect our global commons and has four main workstreams:

• The Earth Commission in which experts scientifically quantify a safe and just corridor for humanity within the thresholds for all global commons
• The Science Based Targets Network that translates scientific findings into guidance for companies and cities so they can set science-based targets that ensure we remain within all Earth’s limits
• The Systems Change Lab that monitors, learns from, promotes and accelerates systems change
• Earth HQ, a coalition of scientific, philanthropic and conservation organisations that work with media and business to build public support for planetary stewardship.

Porticus has played a critical role in the establishment of the GCA helping to build out the four branches since its launch in 2019.  At Porticus, we believe climate change and the deterioration of natural resources are inextricably linked. We either solve these crises together or solve neither. A recent GCA led survey around attitudes towards the global commons found that 83% of people across G20 countries want to do more to protect the global commons. It is clear from these GCA findings that awareness of the necessary transformational change required in the next decade is growing and that systems change requires a collaborative and coordinated approach; one that the GCA seeks to facilitate.

Porticus partner: Global Commons Alliance