KATHMANDU, JANUARY 20 As global political and business leaders gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos, a coalition of more than 20 prominent economists, scientists and business leaders has called on them to demonstrate 'serious leadership' by moving away from fossil-fuelled economic growth and redefining prosperity for the 21st century. In an open letter released ahead of the Davos meetings, the signatories warned that the prevailing model of extractive, fossil-fuel-based growth is accelerating climate and ecological breakdown, deepening inequality and increasing geopolitical instability. The letter urges leaders to abandon narrow economic indicators and instead prioritise human wellbeing, climate protection and the safeguarding of nature. The appeal has been signed by leading global figures, including Johan Rockström, co-chair of the Earth Commission and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Izabella Teixeira, former Brazilian minister of the environment and co-chair of the UN's International Resource Panel, and economist Jayati Ghosh. The signatories argue that leadership in the current era of climate emergency should be judged by the ability of decision-makers to align economic activity with the planet's 'safe and just space,' ensuring prosperity without breaching ecological limits. Carlos Nobre, co-chair of the Science Panel for the Amazon, warned that the world is approaching dangerous ecological tipping points that could destabilise global climate systems. He said prosperity cannot be built on ecosystem collapse and must instead be grounded in planetary stewardship. According to the letter, the costs of maintaining the current economic trajectory are already severe, resulting in multi-trillion-dollar losses while failing to improve the wellbeing of most people and concentrating wealth among a small elite. The authors note that strained ecosystems and public services are intensifying environmental and social tensions worldwide. At the same time, the group points to growing evidence that economies aligned with planetary boundaries deliver better outcomes, including job creation through renewable energy, reduced vulnerability to climate and economic shocks, improved resilience and greater long-term competitiveness. Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, executive chair of Earth4All, said the era of fossil-fuelled, extractive growth is over. 'Business cannot succeed in societies that fail, and economies cannot thrive on a planet that is breaking down,' she said, adding that the real test of leadership lies in transforming wealth into shared human wellbeing within planetary limits. The open letter was issued by Earth4All, a global initiative convened by the Club of Rome and leading research institutions, which advocates for economic systems that support both people and the planet.