A groundbreaking study published in Nature illuminates a critical paradigm shift in how global progress is measured and pursued in the twenty-first century. The research centers on the innovative Doughnut framework, a conceptual and analytical tool designed to reconcile human development ambitions with the planet’s ecological limits. This model advocates for a recalibrated trajectory of global progress—one that balances social needs with environmental sustainability—effectively pushing back against the conventional economic doctrine focused almost exclusively on GDP growth.
The Doughnut framework is structured around two concentric rings: the social foundation, which delineates the minimum essential standards that humanity must meet to avoid deprivation; and the ecological ceiling, which defines the planetary boundaries that cannot be overshot without jeopardizing Earth’s life-support systems. This dual boundary system creates a “safe and just space” for humanity. The study reveals that current global trends, despite doubling GDP from 2000 to 2022, fall short of closing social deficits while exacerbating ecological overshoot, delineating a world increasingly out of balance.
Traditional metrics like GDP have long shaped policymaking by emphasizing material living standards and economic expansion. However, the Doughnut framework advocates a holistic approach, incorporating a dashboard of 35 social and ecological indicators that collectively provide a more nuanced and actionable picture of progress. These indicators measure diverse factors ranging from access to food, electricity, and education to carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. The comprehensive monitoring enables policymakers and scholars to track humanity’s trajectory with greater precision and urgency.
One of the study’s critical insights is the urgent imperative to move away from the entrenched growth paradigm—a system that prioritizes continuous economic expansion—toward an economic model that is both ecologically regenerative and socially distributive. This aligns with emerging post-growth paradigms such as degrowth and well-being economies, which propose reorienting economic goals towards sustaining planetary health and human well-being rather than unending GDP increases. Such transformational shifts would require thorough reforms in economic theory and practical policy interventions.
The Doughnut framework’s country-cluster analysis exposes stark global inequalities. The richest nations disproportionately contribute to ecological overshoot, primarily through excessive consumption and resource use. Conversely, the poorest populations bear the brunt of unmet social needs and deprivation. This asymmetry underscores the necessity for differentiated strategies that recognize the unique responsibilities and priorities of different countries in achieving sustainable and equitable development.
Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of deepening research into ecological macroeconomic modeling. This approach aims to disentangle human well-being from both ecological degradation and gross domestic product growth, presenting viable alternative pathways for policymakers. Integrating Doughnut indicators into these models could yield valuable scenarios for transitioning towards sustainable prosperity, especially in high-income countries that dominate global emissions.
Complementary to the Doughnut framework, some policies and city-level initiatives have already begun embedding its concepts. Since 2019, over 50 municipal governments worldwide have integrated the framework into local strategies and governance, experimenting with new economic narratives and redistributive policies aligned with equitable resource use and well-being goals. These early adopters exemplify how localized actions can aggregate into transformative global change when strategically connected.
Comparative analysis with other global sustainability frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reveals that while the SDGs encompass a broader range of targets, the Doughnut provides a more balanced focus between social necessities and ecological limits. It also offers a more intuitive, visually accessible representation of planetary and social boundaries, fostering broader public and policymaker engagement—a crucial factor for driving systemic change.
Alternative frameworks like decent living standards and safe and just Earth-system boundaries complement the Doughnut by quantifying minimum material requirements in relation to ecological constraints. However, the Doughnut distinguishes itself by emphasizing the proportion of populations falling below social thresholds, including non-material dimensions such as political voice and social support networks. This holistic social foundation enriches the understanding of human well-being beyond purely material indicators.
Despite its comprehensive approach, the Doughnut framework currently lacks an explicit, traceable linkage between social and ecological domains. Researchers acknowledge this gap and emphasize emerging efforts to quantify the global material requirements of achieving minimum social standards for all, which will enhance the integrated understanding of how social needs intersect with planetary boundaries. Such advances are pivotal for refining policy pathways that are both just and sustainable.
Given the urgent challenges of the climate crisis and persistent social inequalities, the study’s authors stress the critical need for the Doughnut to evolve as a dynamic, annually updated monitor. This iterative process will enable the framework to remain relevant and actionable, providing timely data to inform transformative decisions and strategies as humanity strives to align with the safe and just space outlined.
However, the authors caution that measurement alone is insufficient for transformative change. They view the Doughnut not as a panacea but as an essential tool for scholar-activists, policymakers, and practitioners committed to growth-critical economic reforms. By offering a shared framework and language, the Doughnut can galvanize collective action, foster experimental policy innovations, and encourage cross-sectoral learning internationally.
Since 2019, collaboration efforts led by the Doughnut Economics Action Lab have sought to catalyze a global community invested in turning Doughnut principles into practice. These efforts include reframing economic narratives away from growth obsession, influencing strategic policy dialogues, and facilitating networks of innovative change-makers. Collective experimentation and iterative learning within this community are crucial for overcoming entrenched institutional and ideological barriers.
The study ultimately presents a compelling vision for twenty-first century progress—one that decisively redefines success away from GDP expansion towards securing human dignity within the Earth’s ecological boundaries. This vision demands a comprehensive realignment of economic thinking and practice, informed by robust, multidimensional measurement and powered by inclusive, equity-driven action. It marks a vital step forward in navigating the unprecedented social and planetary challenges confronting humanity in this century.
Subject of Research:
Progress measurement and economic transformation through the Doughnut framework, balancing social foundations with planetary boundaries.
Article Title:
Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance
Article References:
Fanning, A.L., Raworth, K. Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance. Nature 646, 47–56 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09385-1
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