The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released the fourth and final installment of its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). This report highlights increased evidence of maladaptation across various sectors and regions. The Synthesis Report integrates key findings from the three Working Groups and the three Special Reports under the AR6 cycle.
Key Findings of the Report
The IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report revealed several alarming observations about global warming and climate change.
Unprecedented Global Warming
Human activities have induced a global temperature rise of 1.1 degrees Celsius, causing unprecedented changes to the Earth’s climate within human history. This increase has led to unique climate changes globally, including rising sea levels, severe weather events, and rapidly melting sea ice.
More Widespread Climate Impact
The impacts of climate change on people and ecosystems are broader and more severe than anticipated. Further, risks will escalate rapidly with each fraction of additional warming.
Adaptation Measures
While adaptation measures can build resilience, more finance is needed to scale these solutions. At least 170 countries now consider adaptation in their climate policies. However, in numerous nations, implementation remains in the planning stage. Most current plans are small-scale, reactive, and incremental, focusing on immediate impacts or near-term risks. Also, financial flows for adaptation remain insufficient, particularly in developing countries.
Global Temperature May Surpass 1.5 Degrees Celsius
There is over a 50% chance that the global temperature will reach or surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2021 and 2040. Under high-emission scenarios, this threshold may be hit between 2018 and 2037.
Maladaptation
Maladaptation has been noted in various regions, including India, where changes have increased vulnerability rather than fostering adaptation. Such maladaptation is evident in Odisha, a state with a dynamic coastline rising at a rate higher than the national average and high cyclone vulnerability.
Recommendations from the IPCC Report
The report demands a rapid shift from burning fossil fuels, the chief cause of the climate crisis. Suggested strategies include retiring existing fossil fuel infrastructure, canceling new projects, retrofitting power plants with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and augmenting renewable energy sources. The report stresses the need for urgent, systemwide transformations for a net-zero, climate-resilient future. While fossil fuels are the primary source of GHG emissions, the report asserts that deep emission cuts across all societal sectors are necessary to tackle the crisis.
About IPCC
Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Environment Programme, the IPCC assesses science related to climate change. It regularly provides policymakers with assessments on the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts, future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.