A tipping point is the period of time at which a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change. The big one we’re trying to avoid is limiting global warming to 1.5C this century to avoid climate catastrophe and to do that we’ll have to drastically reduce carbon emissions. But two positive tipping points that will greatly help achieve that target are already happening – the shrinking costs of clean energy production and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), something being accelerated by government policies, falling prices and innovation in battery technology.

And we don’t even have to bet on the technologies of the future, according to one of our podcast guests. “New innovation is not necessary to get us to 50% reduction (of carbon) by 2030. We have many levers in our toolbox right now. If we truly wanted to shift, most of those objectives that we know we can meet by 2030 would be met with most of the technology that we have today,” according to Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, Co-President of the Club of Rome, a platform of diverse thought leaders who identify holistic solutions to complex global issues.

Agreements made at COP26, such as those to end deforestation and reduce methane emissions by 2030, could tip the balance to help us achieve carbon reduction targets. Joining Sandrine on the podcast is Jeremy Oppenheim, co-founder of SYSTEMIQ, a systems change company that partners with business, finance, policy-makers, and civil society to make economic systems truly sustainable. What are some of the other tipping points that could help save the planet? Listen in to Sandrine and Jeremy, along with host Paul Van Zyl, to find out.