Forging a New Eco-Social Contract for People and Planet

This briefing by the Global Research and Action Network for a New Eco-Social Contract (GRAN-ESC) proposes the adoption of 'eco-social contracts' to implement the UN's Pact for the Future. It argues that achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires renegotiating social contracts to integrate human rights with a 'contract for nature,' moving away from top-down approaches toward inclusive, bottom-up democratic processes.

• The GRAN-ESC proposes an 'eco-social contract' as a mechanism to implement the structural changes of the UN's Pact for the Future. This framework combines a reformed social contract focused on inclusion and justice with a specific contract for nature and future generations, grounded in human rights, gender justice, peace, and solidarity.
• The document argues that transformative change cannot be imposed from the top down, as such approaches risk being undemocratic and exclusionary. Instead, it advocates for bottom-up processes using democratic tools like citizen assemblies, participatory budgeting, and citizen dialogues to provide governments with a mandate for transformation.
• To design new economic and social models, the GRAN-ESC urges the decolonization of knowledge systems and the adoption of communitarian visions from the global South. Examples include Ubuntu, Buen Vivir, and Eco-Swaraj, which emphasize the deep connection and reciprocity between humans and nature.
• Regarding gender justice, the briefing calls for the integration of gender perspectives into all Pact policies and the expansion of Action 6 to include investments in social infrastructure, such as the care economy, healthcare, and education, to support women and gender-diverse individuals.
• The network recommends transforming economies through 'alternative economics' (such as circular, green, and care economies) and reforming the international financial architecture (IFA). Key priorities include promoting progressive tax systems, combating illicit financial flows, and removing fossil fuel subsidies to align climate action with social protection.
• The briefing emphasizes the need for youth empowerment through reformed education curricula and the institutionalization of youth voices across all UN agencies. It specifically suggests the creation of youth-as-citizen assemblies and the provision of direct funding for youth-led work.
• For persons with disabilities (PwDs) and intersectionally marginalized groups, the document advocates for a shift from mere 'improvements' in condition to a focus on equity and 'no one left behind.' It calls for the application of co-production principles to avoid 'eco-exclusion' and 'eco-ableism' in environmental policymaking.

APA

Green Economy Coalition (n.d.). Forging a New Eco-Social Contract for People and Planet. https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/GEC-Reports/ib1-gran-esc-delivering-pact-future.pdf

Chicago

Green Economy Coalition. Forging a New Eco-Social Contract for People and Planet. n.d. https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/GEC-Reports/ib1-gran-esc-delivering-pact-future.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Economy Coalition |title=Forging a New Eco-Social Contract for People and Planet |url=https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/GEC-Reports/ib1-gran-esc-delivering-pact-future.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greeneconomycoalitionndforging, author = {{Green Economy Coalition}}, title = {{Forging a New Eco-Social Contract for People and Planet}}, institution = {Green Economy Coalition}, url = {https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/GEC-Reports/ib1-gran-esc-delivering-pact-future.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }