A University of Exeter report, produced with the Earthshot prize and authored by Steve Smith, finds a rapid global shift to cheap solar and wind could trigger a cascade of beneficial “positive tipping points” that accelerate repair of the planet. The analysis calls clean electricity the highest-leverage transition because lower-cost solar and wind make electric vehicles, heat pumps and cleaner industrial processes cheaper while cutting air pollution. Smith and the report note solar, wind and EVs have already crossed positive tipping points in many major markets as deployment lowered costs and attracted investment. The report applies tipping point science to 51 priority areas across five goals: protecting nature, cleaning the air, reviving oceans, eliminating waste and tackling the climate crisis. It warns the transition is being impeded by slow planning and grid expansion in richer economies and by a severe lack of investment elsewhere; Africa receives less than 2% of global clean energy investment despite holding 60% of the world’s best solar resources. The authors say coordinated policies supporting clean power, transport and heating could bring forward tipping points in those sectors by two to eight years, and identify transforming global commodity supply chains as another high-impact intervention because a small number of companies, banks and regulators control trade in beef, soy, palm oil, timber, cocoa and coffee. The report concludes that aligning the policies of large markets could make deforestation-free products the global norm and amplify the benefits unlocked by clean electricity.
