Recent geopolitical events, infectious diseases, and wars provide a stark reminder of the need to build a resilient, global approach to sustainability science. In a new Commentary published in a Cambridge University Press journal Global Sustainability, Future Earth members from the Ocean Knowledge-Action Network, Urban Knowledge-Action Network, iLEAPS, bioDISCOVERY and the secretariat argue that a diverse, bottom-up approach is essential to guarantee that sustainability science continues to progress, even in the face of shifting political processes that threaten to disrupt international collaboration and funding of science. The Commentary is an outcome that emerged from a cross-Global Research Network meeting that took place online earlier in the year.

In the Commentary you can find more about:

Sustainability in a Fragmenting World

Global political instability, conflicts, and pandemics are undermining long-standing efforts to advance sustainability science. Geopolitical tensions have disrupted scientific collaboration, restricted knowledge exchange, and accelerated a shift toward decentralization. In some regions, unilateral political decisions such as reduced climate commitments and cuts to environmental agencies have weakened international initiatives and erased decades of accumulated scientific knowledge. These disruptions highlight the vulnerability of overly centralized scientific systems and the need to rethink how sustainability science is organized.

The Case for Local Approaches

As planetary crises intensify, many of the most effective responses emerge at the local level. Communities worldwide are demonstrating innovative, place-based solutions. One example is that from India’s co-designed transformation of brick manufacturing. Strengthening such locally driven models requires new modes of collaboration, flexible funding mechanisms, and partnerships across public, private, and civic sectors. Embracing decentralization also means empowering researchers to work alongside stakeholders, Indigenous knowledge holders, and practitioners through approaches like Living Labs.

Rethinking Science and Knowledge Sharing

A decentralized approach demands new systems for sharing knowledge horizontally across cities, regions, and communities. Emerging digital platforms, distributed data systems, and peer-to-peer networks can support more resilient forms of knowledge exchange. At the same time, protecting data sovereignty, especially for Indigenous and local knowledge holders, will be essential. Future frameworks may include FAIR and CARE principles to enable broad access to environmental information while respecting ownership and rights.

Diverse and Redundant

Scientific systems that are both diverse and redundant are needed. Future Earth offers a strong example: its secretariat is spread across multiple countries and institutions, supported by 56 diverse funders from governments, academia, the private sector, and philanthropy. This distributed structure enables broad regional input and ensures that the organization’s mission can continue even if one office is disrupted.

Globally Decentralized Science for a Sustainable Future

By continuing to build diverse, decentralized, redundant approaches to science and science funding, we can continue to enjoy a global scientific enterprise that is resilient to changing political winds and shifts in the world order and well-adapted to the economic and cultural realities of the thousands of local communities that are striving for a more sustainable future.

Reference

Pendleton L, Sioen GB, Niazi Z, Semeena VS, Krug CB. (2025) Deglobalisation? The case for Diversified and Decentralised Global Sustainability Science. Global Sustainability. Published online 2025:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1017/sus.2025.10037