Nine planetary boundaries have been proposed, capturing essential biophysical processes that sustain the Earth System and its biosphere in an accommodating state for humanity. Drawing on economics literature, we propose conditions under which remaining within these boundaries is in line with economic policy. We assert that pervasive uncertainties combined with impacts of trespassing planetary boundaries clearly legitimate using safe minimum standards or precautionary approaches. Moreover, information about the risk structure of these processes, including potential large-scale regime shifts, could help refine policies for how to relate to the zones of uncertainty of the boundaries. Planetary * We are grateful for useful comments from four anonymous reviewers, Line Gordon and Matìas Piaggio, assistance from Daniel Ospina and funding from the Ebba and Sven Schwartz foundation. Carl Folke acknowledges the support of STIAS,