Harmful tipping points in the natural world pose some of the gravest threats faced by humanity. Their triggering will severely damage our planet’s life-support systems and threaten the stability of our societies.
In the Summary Report:
• Narrative summary
• Global tipping points infographic
• Key messages
• Key Recommendations
Executive summary
• Section 1
• Section 2
• Section 3
• Section 4
This report is for all those concerned with tackling escalating Earth system change and mobilising transformative social change to alter that trajectory, achieve sustainability and promote social justice.
In this section:
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Key Concepts
• Approach
• References
Considers Earth system tipping points. These are reviewed and assessed across the three major domains of the cryosphere, biosphere and circulation of the oceans and atmosphere. We then consider the interactions and potential cascades of Earth system tipping points, followed by an assessment of early warning signals for Earth system tipping points.
Considers tipping point impacts. First we look at the human impacts of Earth system tipping points, then the potential couplings to negative tipping points in human systems. Next we assess the potential for cascading and compounding systemic risk, before considering the potential for early warning of impact tipping points.
Considers how to govern Earth system tipping points and their associated risks. We look at governance of mitigation, prevention and stabilisation then we focus on governance of impacts, including adaptation, vulnerability and loss and damage. Finally, we assess the need for knowledge generation at the science-policy interface.
Focuses on positive tipping points in technology, the economy and society. It provides a framework for understanding and acting on positive tipping points. We highlight illustrative case studies across energy, food and transport and mobility systems, with a focus on demand-side solutions (which have previously received limited attention).
Investments need to guide sectors along more sustainable and equitable pathways rather than fuel unsustainable business models, working conditions and use of resources – for example through the coupling of public incentives and improved working conditions (Jouffray et al., 2019). Divesting from companies that are seen to be complicit in transgressing planetary boundaries, such as oil majors and powerful cattle lobby groups in the Brazilian Amazon (Piotrowski, 2019) has the potential to reshape the business environment towards more equitable practices. Another area where investments could leverage PTPs is in the shift away from car dependency, particularly for those living in densely populated metropolitan areas, whose health and life expectancy would benefit from improved air quality and pedestrian safety (Rionfrancos et al., 2023). 4.3.2 on transport and mobility systems discusses efforts to avoid demand for material-intensive mobility and shift to more active modes of travel. Finally, finance has the opportunity to redistribute money to vulnerable regions and intervention spaces like mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and biodiversity (4.4.3). Currently there is highly uneven access to credit and capital to bring about more transformative change. Such reconfiguration of finance flows needs to be undertaken with full consideration of the impact that such investments would have, not just on financial returns, but also on social and environmental outcomes.