New COP climate plan focusses on ‘positive tipping points’

Positive tipping points are the key focus of official plans to accelerate global climate action.

With the COP31 climate summit under way in Türkiye, the presidents of COP30 and COP31 have launched the “Global Implementation Accelerator” (GIA), with the University of Exeter becoming the sole university partner to the initiative.

Established at COP30 in Brazil, the GIA’s mandate is to accelerate climate implementation, enhance international cooperation, and support countries in cutting emissions and adapting to climate change, while keeping the goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C within reach.

A GIA report published today (13 November) highlights the need to “drive the world towards essential positive tipping points”.

It references positive tipping points extensively, including the 2025 Global Tipping Points Report, published by the University of Exeter and international partners.

“It’s great to have this opportunity to put positive tipping points into practice, and help accelerate solutions to climate change,” said Professor Tim Lenton, who will serve on the GIA’s Independent Group of Experts.

A tipping point occurs when a small change triggers a rapid, often irreversible transformation.

Earth system tipping points such as the dieback of the Amazon rainforest pose devastating risks – but positive tipping points in human societies and economies, such as the rollout of green technologies, can accelerate change to reduce those risks.

Speaking at the high-level plenary meeting of COP31, Stuart Brocklehurst, the University of Exeter’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Business, Engagement and Innovation, said: “As the home of tipping points research, the University of Exeter welcomes the launch of the Global Implementation Accelerator.

“We are delighted to contribute both as a partner and through the presence of Professor Tim Lenton on the Independent Group of Experts.

“It is important that decision making is grounded in science, and we are very pleased to support that.

“Just as adverse tipping points place us at risk of catastrophic climate impacts, positive tipping points have the potential to accelerate climate solutions which may provide our salvation.

“The Global Implementation Accelerator creates the opportunity to drive meaningful, evidenced action. I congratulate the Presidencies on bringing this vital initiative to life.”

The GIA report says positive tipping points could speed emissions reductions and strengthen resilience.

The report states: “The objective of the Accelerator is to help climate solutions move faster from ambition and commitment to real-world implementation. It focuses on solutions with the greatest potential to trigger positive tipping points in the short term, generating exponential and cascading effects that drive transformative change at a global scale.”