M ore than a decade ago, scientists defined a set of biophysical global limits, known as planetary bound- aries, within which humanity can operate ‘safely’. These span nine areas — climate change, the biosphere, nutri- ents, water, land use, ocean acidification, ozone depletion, aerosols and ‘novel enti- ties’ (pollutants and pathogens) 1 . Since 2019, a task force called the Earth Commission, co-led by one of us ( J.R.), has been integrating social-science perspectives to ensure that such quantified boundaries are ‘just’ as well as safe 2 . Next year, this global team of natural and social scientists (including many of us) will issue its first report outlining these ‘Earth system boundaries’ (ESBs). Addressing regional as well as global scales, these limits are based on the latest science, modelling and liter- ature assessments. Accounting for impacts on communities means that the boundaries will be tighter. For example, climate change is already harming the health, property and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people each year, Researchers must help to define science-based targets for water, nutrients, carbon emissions and more to avoid cascading effects and stave off tipping points in Earth’s systems. How to stop cities and companies causing planetary harm Xuemei Bai, Anders Bjørn, Şiir Kılkış, Oscar Sabag Muñoz, Gail Whiteman, Holger Hoff, Lauren Seaby Andersen & Johan Rockström A rubbish heap in Accra, Ghana, containing discarded second-hand clothing imported from Europe and the United States. ANDREW ESIEBO/PANOS PICTURES Nature | Vol 609 | 15 September 2022 | 463 Setting the agenda in research Comment ©2022SpringerNatureLimited.Allrightsreserved.