We need clean technologies to start scaling exponentially
Accelerating the scale up of clean technologies reduces environmental impact and brings earlier economic gains and improved energy security for companies and regions, among other benefits. The uptake of a new technology typically follows an S-curve. History suggests that once a positive tipping point is reached, adoption shifts into exponential growth.
A positive tipping point occurs when a clean technology is more Affordable, Attractive and Accessible (the 3As) than the conventional alternative, as shown in The Breakthrough Effect report developed by Systemiq and the University of Exeter.
Our work focuses on identifying and accelerating these tipping points.
Systemiq’s methodology cracks the code for climate-tech breakthroughs
Systemiq applies positive tipping point thinking and the ‘3As’ to catalyse technology scale-up in sectors from textile recycling to alternative proteins, and from long duration energy storage to battery electric equipment in container terminals.
The four-step approach has been applied across energy, food and materials sectors to drive positive impact for organisations, including financial institutions, multinationals and scale-ups. See examples of our impact below.
Systemiq’s tipping point methodology is applicable across virtually all sectors, all technologies and geographies.
See here for more details on the approach.
A decisive decade for technology Tipping Points
Tipping points are expected for about 40-45% of emissions within this decade. However, the pace and unlocks differs significantly within regions and subsectors. Tailored effort can fast-track exponential growth.
To find out more on the opportunity for further acceleration, read our blog.
Selected Clients
The Breakthrough Effect (2023)
Defines three “super-leverage points” that could trigger a cascade of tipping points for zero-carbon solutions in sectors covering 70% of global greenhouse gas emission
Accelerating the breakthrough of climate technologies (2025)
Describes Systemiq’s methodology to catalyse exponential growth of climate technologies
Sectors and regions
Positive Tipping Points for Food and Land Use Systems Transformation (2021)
Finds that small, targeted changes in food and land use systems can trigger large, often
irreversible, positive responses for people and the planet
The Breakthrough Effect in ASEAN (2023)
A regional follow up of the global Breakthrough Effect. Identifies two super-leverage points that could trigger a cascade of tipping points across a total of eight sectors that represent 50% of ASEAN’s emissions
Technologies
Showcases how polyester textile recycling technologies can breakthrough, with policy and other stakeholder action
Catalysing The Global Opportunity For Electrothermal Energy Storage (2024)
Lays out how a tipping point in the electrification of industrial heat could be achieved with electrothermal energy storage
A Lightning Moment for Industry (2024)
Lays out how industrial companies using under 4000C heat can find the right pathway to switch to electrification ahead of the curve – thereby avoiding future infrastructure bottlenecks
The Zero-Emission Port Alliance (2024)
An industry-wide strategic alliance, dedicated to making battery-electric container handling equipment affordable and accessible
