Planetary boundaries: toward a transformation of environmental law
On March 26, 2026, a conference organized by theMAK’IT Institute (Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions) and KIPPT (Key Initiative for Public Transition Policies) was held as part of the CAT (Constructive Advanced Thinking) group’s residency at MAK’IT. This meeting highlighted the CAT project “Metamorphoses of Law(s)? A critical exploration of planetary boundaries and their meaning for environmental law.”
At the heart of the discussion: the implications of the concept of planetary boundaries for environmental law. Still emerging in the social sciences, this concept calls for a rethinking of the legal foundations in light of the accelerating pace of ecological crises.
By bringing together law, sociology, and the philosophy of science, the researchers explored how this concept—still emerging in the social sciences—challenges the foundations of environmental law. Despite significant progress in recent decades, legal frameworks still struggle to keep pace with the accelerating pace of ecological crises and remain largely structured around an anthropocentric approach.
However, certain developments are underway. Although planetary boundaries are not formally enshrined in law, they are indirectly referenced in certain international legal disputes. Concepts such as critical thresholds, tipping points, and irreversible damage reflect a growing recognition of the systemic nature of environmental issues.
In the longer term, this scientific framework could contribute to a profound evolution of the law. It paves the way for greater integration between environmental law, human rights law, and economic law, as well as for the emergence of new legal standards.
While still exploratory, this discussion invites us to rethink the role of law in the face of the ecological crisis, by taking greater account of the interdependencies between human societies and the natural world.
The CAT group will continue its work in September 2026 during a two-day workshop bringing together international researchers and experts.