The Forum
University of Exeter
Accelerating action to ensure a socially just transformation
About
Harmful tipping points in the natural world threaten humanity by disrupting life support systems and societal stability. The effects of tipping points will be transmitted and amplified throughout our globalised world. To mitigate these risks, we should focus on positive tipping points—opportunities where beneficial changes become self-sustaining. History shows rapid societal shifts are possible.
Global Tipping Points
Report 2023
Launched at COP28 the Global Tipping Points Report 2023 is an authoritative assessment of the risks and opportunities of both negative and positive tipping points in the Earth system and society.
Resources
In this resources section you will find the following:
Global Tipping Points
Report 2025
We are currently planning the Global Tipping Points Report 2025, which will integrate a risk and opportunity governance framework throughout its analysis. This will guide policymakers, businesses, and governments in understanding and addressing the risks and opportunities of tipping points. If you are interested in contributing to the report, please email tippingpoints@exeter.ac.uk
Sign up
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Earth systems
tipping points
and risk
Climate change and nature loss could soon trigger tipping points in the natural world. These tipping points pose threats of a magnitude never faced by humanity.
Governance
Stopping these threats is possible but requires immediate and coordinated global action. Global governance is currently inadequate to minimise the tipping point risks and ensure equitable solutions.
Positive Tipping points
Positive tipping points can create a powerful counter effect to the risks of Earth system tipping points cascading out of control.
Positive Tipping points Governance
Triggering positive tipping points requires coordinated action that considers equity and justice.
Latest News
23.09.24
Clean technology mandates can slash prices and carbon emissions to spark cascade of positive tipping points
Governments can start a global cascade of “positive tipping points” to cut prices and carbon emissions by using mandates to switch investment from polluting fossil fuels to clean technologies, according to a new report launched today at Climate Week NYC.
18.09.24
Global Tipping Points Conference 2025
We are excited to announce that the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology will co-host the Global Tipping Points Conference in July 2025.
18.09.24
The UN Summit of the Future – An Opportunity to Address the Risks of Earth System Tipping Points
When the United Nations convenes the Summit of the Future this month, the international community will make decisions with major implications for the governance of Earth system tipping points.
17.09.24
The Role of Hydrogen in Decarbonising Key Sectors
As the world shifts toward a low-carbon future, hydrogen is emerging as a crucial component in decarbonisation strategies. In areas where direct electrification is challenging or impractical, hydrogen stands out as a vital alternative energy carrier.
