Global Environment Outlook 7

An Ambitious Roadmap to a Green and Prosperous Future 

The Full report now online: Global Environment Outlook 7

The GEO-7 is the most comprehensive scientific assessment of the global environment to this day. It brings together the voices of 287 experts from 82 countries, with contributions from over 800 reviewers worldwide. Authors met in Bangkok, Vienna, and Nairobi to prepare the groundbreaking assessment that compares the current trajectory of the global environment – one trending towards catastrophic climate change, the collapse of nature, and growing deadly pollution – with an alternative vision of the future.  

For the first time, Indigenous Peoples  and traditional knowledge holders from around the world have helped shape the report through a series of dialogues in Mexico, Thailand, and online. Their knowledge and experience, rooted in a deep connection with nature, complement scientific data and offer valuable insights into resilience, stewardship, and living in harmony with the environment. 

The resolution on the future of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) that kickstarted the GEO-7 process was approved by Member States in March 2022, and the GEO-7 released in December 2025.   

Actionable Solutions 

GEO-7’s findings highlight the risks of inaction — but also the enormous potential of sustainable policies, technologies, and community-driven change. Investing in a stable climate and healthy nature could prevent tens of millions of deaths each year and help hundreds of millions of people escape hunger and poverty.

Achieving internationally agreed environmental goals, along with the social and economic benefits they would offer, is still possible, but the window of opportunity is closing fast. Governments and societies must implement transformative solutions across financial, waste, energy, and food systems, and prioritize sustainability and resilience in their approach to managing the environment. 

The good news is that the economic benefits of this critical transformation will outweigh the costs, with annual benefits projected to begin around 2050 and rise to approximately US$20 trillion by 2070.  

A Rigorous and Inclusive Process 

The GEO-7 team followed thorough consultation and review processes. Between early 2024 and late 2025, experts and governments examined multiple drafts, offering detailed feedback to enrich and strengthen the report. Fifty-six review editors ensured that every comment was fairly addressed —making GEO-7 both scientifically credible and globally representative. 

GEO-7 Timeline 

• Sept 2022: Inaugural meeting and adoption of GEO procedures.  
• Oct 2022 – Scoping document adopted.  
• Mar 2023 – Policy Responses and Solutions Pathways Workshop and First Global Authors’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. 
• Sept 2023 – Policy responses and solutions pathways workshop in Shanghai, China.  

2024 – Drafting and Review Phase 

• Jan: Second Global Authors’ Meeting in Vienna, Austria. 
• Feb – Mar: Expert review ofthe First Order Draft. 
• Mar: First Indigenous Knowledge and Local Knowledge Dialogue online. 
• Jun: Second Indigenous Knowledge and Local Knowledge Dialogue in Oaxaca, Mexico.   
• Sept: Third Global Authors’ Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. 
• Nov 2024 – Jan 2025: Intergovernmental review of First and Second Order Draft of the Summary for Policymakers and Second Order Draft of the main report. 

2025 – Finalization and Launch 

• Jan: Third Indigenous Knowledge and Local Knowledge Dialogue in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  
• June: SPM Drafting and MESAG Validation Opinion Meeting in Jeju Island, Korea
• Aug–Oct: Intergovernmental review of the Second Order Draft of Summary for Policymakers. 
• Oct 2025: GEO-7 Summary for Policymakers Review and Approval Meeting.
• Dec 2025: Launch of GEO-7

The findings of GEO-7 will guide future environmental policies and strategies — helping countries take informed action toward sustainability.