Table 1.

Summary of the 12 leverage points to intervene in a complex system framework ¹⁷ .

Intervention level	Description
Transcending paradigm	This represents one’s view of reality and is unlikely to be influenced at local government level.
Paradigm	‘Shared unstated assumptions’ and ‘deepest held beliefs’ that are the hardest to change within a society, as it requires individuals to look at the system. Paradigms pave the way for a system’s structure which includes ‘goals’ and ‘rules’ (titles of other leverage points). Potential actions to change a paradigm include highlighting flaws with the current paradigm.
Goals	The goals of a system are considered an important point for intervention. Actors operating in a system may not be aware of the goals and they are likely to be changed by those in power.
Self-organisation	Self-organisation is a key factor in a system’s resilience. For a system to continue to exist, it must evolve as contexts change. This intervention point is concerned largely with encouraging variability and diversity in the system.
Rules	Rules include laws, regulations and incentives which help to structure a system. A fundamental point made by Meadows is that rules put in place must be made in the context agreed by a range of sectors in society to ensure they are fair and do not benefit some to the exclusion of many.
Information flows	This involves providing timely information to relevant actors which was not previously available to them, to support a course of action which may not have occurred without that information.
Reinforcing feedback loops	These are described as ‘the source of growth, explosion, erosion and collapse’ where more generates more. For example a high interest rate on higher savings, where a bigger bank balance accumulates more interest which in turn leads to more interest. 17 Meadows points out that there are few reinforcing loops and the emphasis for the leverage point is slowing the growth.
Balancing feedback loops	These are the feedback loops that self-correct impacts on the system, often called ‘thermostats’. Balancing loops may be inactive a lot of the time and come into play at other times such as emergencies. An example could be tax on fuel emissions which are triggered once emissions reach a certain level. At this leverage point, an intervention would strengthen the feedback loop or prevent it from being weakened.
Delays	This leverage point focuses on timely information and timely responses. If feedback occurs too soon the system may overreact, if it receives feedback too slowly the system may become damaged.
Stocks and flows	Refers to physical structures in a system which may be difficult and costly to change. Intervening at this point would include building the appropriate structures at the start.
Buffers	This describes a physical entity, having enough of which helps to preserve a system.
Numbers, constants and parameters	This includes changes in people/staff and skills or having parameters for existing activities. Interventions at this point are unlikely to change the behaviour of the system unless they influence other higher leverage points. This is the commonest point of intervention.