Impact and International Collaboration of the Stockholm Resilience Centre

The Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) is a pioneering research institution that focuses on sustainability science, resilience, and social-ecological systems. Through its commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration, the SRC has a significant global impact in science, policy, and practice. The centre is a joint initiative between Stockholm University and the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Global Impact

One of the most influential contributions of the SRC is the development of the Earth System Impact score, a science-based tool that examines companies' environmental impacts beyond just carbon emissions. This tool is instrumental in informing businesses and policymakers about sustainable practices.

Additionally, the SRC is a co-founder and scientific partner of SeaBOS, an alliance of the world's ten largest seafood companies. This partnership aims to transform the seafood industry towards sustainability, emphasizing the importance of responsible practices in one of the most vital food sectors. The SRC's involvement in SeaBOS highlights its role in fostering international collaboration to address global sustainability challenges.

The centre has also hosted international conferences on resilience and sustainability, such as those in 2008 and 2017, which served as platforms for sharing cutting-edge research and fostering global dialogue on resilience and sustainable development.

International Collaboration

The international collaboration aspect of the SRC is further strengthened by its International Advisory Board, led by Jim Balsillie. The board provides strategic guidance to ensure the centre's research and initiatives have a broad impact across various domains, including science, business, and policy.

Prominent figures like Elena Bennett have served on the International Scientific Advisory Council, contributing their expertise to the SRC's mission. The involvement of international experts and leaders underscores the centre's commitment to integrating diverse perspectives in addressing complex global challenges.

Moreover, the SRC's research and initiatives align with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, enabling the centre to contribute to international efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

The SRC's leader, Beatrice Crona, has played a pivotal role in steering the centre towards impactful international collaborations. Under her leadership, the centre continues to engage with a wide network of partners and stakeholders to advance its mission of enhancing resilience and sustainability worldwide.

Stockholm Resilience Centre

The Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) is a research institute that explores the complex interactions between human societies and the natural environment, focusing on the concept of resilience. This interdisciplinary research center is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and was established to address the pressing issue of sustainable development on a planet under increasing pressure.

Origins and Leadership

The Stockholm Resilience Centre was founded as a collaboration between several prominent institutions, including Stockholm University. The centre is underpinned by the guiding principle of resilience, which in ecological terms refers to the capacity of a system to absorb disturbances while maintaining its basic functions and structures.

Carl Folke was pivotal in the establishment of the SRC, serving as its founding Science Director from 2007 to 2023. He remains an influential figure as the Chairman of the Board. Johan Rockström also played a significant role in the centre's early years, serving as its director from 2007 to 2018. He is renowned for his work on the Planetary Boundaries framework, which outlines the limits within which humanity can safely operate.

Currently, Line Gordon serves as the director, continuing the centre's mission to integrate social and ecological research in order to inform policy and practice.

Research Focus and Initiatives

The Stockholm Resilience Centre conducts research across several key areas. These include:

Planetary Boundaries: This concept, introduced by Johan Rockström and colleagues, sets quantifiable limits on essential Earth system processes to prevent unacceptable environmental change. It has gained international attention as a framework for global sustainability.
Social-Ecological Systems: SRC emphasizes the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, advocating for an integrated approach to resilience where both social and ecological components are considered.
Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services: The centre collaborates with global initiatives like the Natural Capital Project to assess and value the benefits humans derive from nature, promoting conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.