The Cost of Inaction 2024

Several earth systems tipping points risk accelerating warming irreversibly FIGURE 5 The next three decades of emissions will shape the temperature of the next 10 millennia FIGURE 60.8 - 3°C Meltdown of Greenland ice sheet 1.1 – 3.8°C Standstill of North Atlantic subpolar gyre 1.5 - 3°C Andes glacier retreat 1 - 3°C West Antarctic ice sheet collapse2 - 6°C Amazon rainforest dieback Confidence levels High Medium Low>5°C East Antarctic ice sheet collapse1 - 1.5°C Warm-water coral reefs die-off1.4 - 8°C Standstill of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC)1.4 - 5°C Boreal forest southern dieback1 – 2.3°C Boreal permafrost abrupt thaw Atmospheric CO2 concentration parts per million (ppm) Years vs. today TodayAnthropocene Holocene~2°C~5°C ~4°C ~3°C2100 (RCP 8.5) -20,000 -15,000 -10,000 -5,000 0 5,000 10,000Note: Earth system tipping points are displayed as a function of temperature increase, although other factors (e.g. deforestation, precipitation levels, water salinity) also play a significant role in triggering them. Five Earth systems (highlighted) are at immediate risk of tipping into irreversible decline, accelerating warming on a planetary scale. Source: Global Tipping Points Report, Lenton, T. et al., Boston Consulting Group (BCG) analysis. Note: RCP 8.5 scenario represents a high-emissions “business-as-usual” scenario characterized by sustained increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Source: Clark, P . et al. The Cost of Inaction: A CEO Guide to Navigating Climate Risk 8