Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Scientific intergovernmental body}} |
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{{Infobox UN |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} |
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| name = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
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{{Infobox organization |
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| image = |
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| name = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
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| image size = 150px |
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| image = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Logo.svg |
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| caption = |
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| type = Panel |
| type = Panel |
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| |
| abbreviation = IPCC |
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| leader_title = Chair |
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| head = |
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| leader_name = [[Jim Skea]] |
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| status = Active |
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| leader_title2 = Vice-Chair |
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| established = |
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| leader_name2 = [[Youba Sokona]] |
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| website = [http://www.ipcc.ch/ ipcc.ch/ ] |
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| formation = {{start date and age|1988|df=yes}} |
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| parent = |
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| headquarters = [[Geneva]], Switzerland |
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| commons = United Nations |
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| website = {{official URL}} |
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| footnotes = |
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| parent_organization = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<br />[[United Nations Environment Program]] |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change''' (IPCC) is a scientific [[Intergovernmental organization|intergovernmental body]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcc.ch/organization/organization.htm|title="About IPCC" |accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://royalsociety.org/uploadedFiles/Royal_Society_Content/News_and_Issues/Science_Issues/Climate_change/climate_facts_and_fictions.pdf |title="A guide to facts and fictions about climate change"|publisher=[[The Royal Society]]|date=March 2005|accessdate=2009-11-30}}</ref> tasked with evaluating the [[risk management|risk]] of [[climate change]] caused by human activity. The panel was established in 1988 by the [[World Meteorological Organization]] (WMO) and the [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP), two organizations of the [[United Nations]]. The IPCC shared the 2007 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] with former [[Vice President of the United States]] [[Al Gore]].<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2007/press.html The Nobel Peace Prize for 2007]</ref> |
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The IPCC does not carry out its own original research, nor does it do the work of monitoring climate or related phenomena itself. A main activity of the IPCC is publishing special reports on topics relevant to the implementation of the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|UN Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC),<ref name="principles">{{cite web | title=Principles governing IPCC work | date=2006-04-28 | publisher=Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change | url=http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/ipcc-principles/ipcc-principles.pdf |format=PDF}}</ref> an international treaty that acknowledges the possibility of harmful climate change. Implementation of the UNFCCC led eventually to the [[Kyoto Protocol]]. The IPCC bases its assessment mainly on peer reviewed and published scientific literature.<ref>{{cite web | title=About IPCC – Mandate and Membership of the IPCC | date= | publisher=Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change | accessdate=2007-07-24 | url=http://www.ipcc.ch/about/ | year=2007}}</ref> The IPCC is only open to member states of the WMO and UNEP. |
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IPCC reports are widely cited in almost any debate related to climate change.<ref>{{cite web | title=A guide to facts and fiction about climate change | publisher=[[The Royal Society]] | date= March 2005 | accessdate=2007-07-24 | url=http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/downloaddoc.asp?id=1630 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=The Science of Climate Change | publisher=[[The Royal Society]] | date=2001-05-17 | accessdate=2007-07-24 | url=http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/displaypagedoc.asp?id=11509 | isbn=0-85403-558-3 }}</ref> National and international responses to climate change generally regard the UN climate panel as authoritative.<ref>{{cite web | title=Scientists offered cash to dispute climate study | date=2007-02-02 | accessdate=2007-07-24 | publisher=Guardian | first=Ian | last=Sample | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,2004399,00.html | quote=[[Lord Rees of Ludlow]], the president of the [[Royal Society]], Britain's most prestigious scientific institute, said: "The IPCC is the world's leading authority on climate change..."}}</ref> |
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The summary reports (i.e. ''Summary for Policymakers''), which draw the most media attention, include review by participating governments in addition to scientific review.<ref name="principles"/> |
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==Aims== |
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The principles of the IPCC operation<ref name="principles">IPCC. {{PDFlink|[http://www.ipcc.ch/about/princ.pdf Principles Governing IPCC Work]|8.38 KB}}. Retrieved December 19, 2006.</ref> are assigned by the relevant [[WMO]] Executive Council and [[UNEP]] Governing Council resolutions and decisions as well as on actions in support of the UN [[Framework Convention on Climate Change]] process. |
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<!-- Editors Note: The "human-induced" phrase has been challenged several times. It is in the IPCC "About" page and the IPCC Principles, and indeed in the quote just above. removed the quote. Don't need repetition. --> |
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The stated aims of the IPCC are to assess scientific information relevant to:<ref name="principles"/> |
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# human-induced climate change, |
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# the impacts of human-induced climate change, |
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# options for adaptation and mitigation. |
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==IPCC Assessment Reports== |
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{{IPCC}} |
{{IPCC}} |
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The '''Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change''' ('''IPCC''') is an [[intergovernmental body]] of the [[United Nations]]. Its job is to advance scientific knowledge about [[climate change]] caused by human activities.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the IPCC|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/about/|access-date=22 February 2019|publisher=Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change}}</ref> The [[World Meteorological Organization]] (WMO) and the [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP) set up the IPCC in 1988. The [[United Nations General Assembly|United Nations]] endorsed the creation of the IPCC later that year.<ref name="UNGA resolution endorsing IPCC">{{cite web |title=UN General Assembly Resolution 43/53 "Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind" |url=https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/530/32/IMG/NR053032.pdf?OpenElement |website=UN General Assembly Resolutions 43rd Session 1988-1989 |publisher=United Nations |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208083351/https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/530/32/IMG/NR053032.pdf?OpenElement |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has a secretariat in [[Geneva]], Switzerland, hosted by the WMO. It has 195 [[Member states of the United Nations|member states]] who govern the IPCC.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annex C to Appendix C to the Principles Governing IPCC Work |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/documentation/procedures/ |website=IPCC Procedures |publisher=IPCC}}</ref> The member states elect a bureau of scientists to serve through an assessment cycle. A cycle is usually six to seven years. The bureau selects experts in their fields to prepare IPCC reports.<ref name="Structure" /> There is a formal nomination process by governments and observer organizations to find these experts. The IPCC has three working groups and a task force, which carry out its scientific work.<ref name="Structure" /> |
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The IPCC published its [[IPCC First Assessment Report|first assessment report]] in 1990, a supplementary report in 1992, a [[IPCC Second Assessment Report|second assessment report (SAR)]] in 1995, and a [[IPCC Third Assessment Report|third assessment report (TAR)]] in 2001. A [[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report|fourth assessment report (AR4)]] was released in 2007. Each assessment report is in three volumes, corresponding to Working Groups I, II and III. Unqualified, "the IPCC report" is often used to mean the Working Group I report, which covers the basic science of climate change. |
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The IPCC informs governments about the state of knowledge of climate change. It does this by examining all the relevant scientific literature on the subject. This includes the natural, [[Economic impacts of climate change|economic]] and social impacts and [[Effects of global warming|risks]]. It also covers possible [[Climate change adaptation|response]] [[Climate change mitigation|options]]. The IPCC does not conduct its own original research. It aims to be objective and comprehensive. Thousands of scientists and other experts volunteer to [[Systematic review|review]] the publications.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Procedures — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/documentation/procedures/ |access-date=2022-11-28}}</ref> They compile key findings into "Assessment Reports" for policymakers and the general public;<ref name="Structure">{{cite web |title = Structure of the IPCC | url =https://www.ipcc.ch/about/structure/|publisher = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change | access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> Experts have described this work as the biggest [[peer review]] process in the scientific community.<ref name="AFP unrivalled authority 2021">{{cite news |title=IPCC, the world's unrivalled authority on climate science |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210809-ipcc-the-world-s-unrivalled-authority-on-climate-science |agency=AFP |date=9 August 2021}}</ref> |
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===IPCC First Assessment Report: 1990=== |
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{{Main|IPCC First Assessment Report}} |
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The IPCC first assessment report was completed in 1990, and served as the basis of the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC). |
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Leading climate scientists and all member governments endorse the IPCC's findings.<ref>{{cite news | title=Scientists offered cash to dispute climate study | date=2 February 2007 | access-date=24 July 2007 | newspaper=Guardian | first=Ian | last=Sample | url=https://www.theguardian.com/frontpage/story/0,,2004399,00.html | quote=[[Lord Rees of Ludlow]], the president of the [[Royal Society]], Britain's most prestigious scientific institute, said: 'The IPCC is the world's leading authority on climate change...' | location=London}} |
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The executive summary of the WG I Summary for Policymakers report says they are certain that emissions resulting from human activities are substantially increasing the atmospheric concentrations of the greenhouse gases, resulting on average in an additional warming of the Earth's surface. They calculate with confidence that CO<sub>2</sub> has been responsible for over half the enhanced greenhouse effect. They predict that under BAU increase of global mean temperature during the [21st] century of about 0.3 <sup>o</sup>C per decade. They judge that global mean surface air temperature has increased by 0.3 to 0.6 <sup>o</sup>C over the last 100 years, broadly consistent with prediction of climate models, but also of the same magnitude as natural climate variability. The unequivocal detection of the enhanced greenhouse effect is not likely for a decade or more. |
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</ref><ref name="AFP unrivalled authority 2021" /> This underscores that the IPCC is a well-respected authority on climate change. Governments, civil society organizations and the media regularly quote from its reports. IPCC reports play a key role in the annual climate negotiations held by the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC).<ref name="UNFCCC intro">{{cite web |title=What is the UNFCCC? |url=https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-convention/what-is-the-united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change |website=UNFCCC }}</ref><ref name="Principles">IPCC. {{cite web |title=Principles Governing IPCC Work |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/documentation/procedures/}}. Approved 1–3 October 1998, last amended 14–18 October 2013.</ref> The IPCC [[Fifth Assessment Report]] was an important influence on the landmark [[Paris Agreement]] in 2015.<ref name="Nature_Schleussner_20160725">{{Cite journal|last1=Schleussner|first1=Carl-Friedrich|last2=Rogelj|author2-link=Joeri Rogelj|first2=Joeri|last3=Schaeffer|first3=Michiel|last4=Lissner|first4=Tabea|last5=Licker|first5=Rachel|last6=Fischer|first6=Erich M.|last7=Knutti|first7=Reto|last8=Levermann|first8=Anders|last9=Frieler|first9=Katja|last10=Hare|first10=William|date=25 July 2016|title=Science and policy characteristics of the Paris Agreement temperature goal|url=http://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/13431/1/nclimate3096.pdf|journal=Nature Climate Change|volume=6|issue=9|pages=827|bibcode=2016NatCC...6..827S|doi=10.1038/nclimate3096}}</ref> The IPCC shared the [[2007 Nobel Peace Prize]] with [[Al Gore]] for contributions to the understanding of climate change.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2007 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2007/summary/ |website=The Nobel Prize |publisher=Nobel Prize Outreach}}</ref> |
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The seventh assessment cycle of the IPCC began in 2023. In August 2021, the IPCC published its Working Group I contribution to the [[IPCC Sixth Assessment Report|Sixth Assessment Report]] (IPCC AR6) on the physical science basis of climate change.<ref name=":6">IPCC, 2021: ''[https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-i/ Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis]. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change''[Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S.L. Connors, C. Péan, S. Berger, N. Caud, Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M.I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy, J.B.R. Matthews, T.K. Maycock, T. Waterfield, O. Yelekçi, R. Yu, and B. Zhou (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, New York, US, In press, doi:10.1017/9781009157896.</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' described this report as the "starkest warning yet" of "major inevitable and irreversible climate changes".<ref name="Guardian 9Aug21">{{cite news |last=Harvey |first=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=9 August 2021 |title=Major climate changes inevitable and irreversible – IPCC's starkest warning yet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/aug/09/humans-have-caused-unprecedented-and-irreversible-change-to-climate-scientists-warn |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Many newspapers around the world echoed this theme.<ref name="Guardian 10Aug21">{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Helen|date=10 August 2021|title='Code red for humanity': what the papers say about the IPCC report on the climate crisis|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/10/code-red-for-humanity-what-the-papers-say-about-the-ipcc-report-on-the-climate-crisis}}</ref> In February 2022, the IPCC released its Working Group II report on impacts and adaptation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/|title = Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability}}</ref> It published Working Group III's "mitigation of climate change" contribution to the Sixth Assessment in April 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/resources/press/press-release |title= Mitigation of climate change }}</ref> The Sixth Assessment Report concluded with a Synthesis Report in March 2023. |
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===IPCC Supplementary Report: 1992=== |
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The 1992 supplementary report was an update, requested in the context of the negotiations on the [[Framework Convention on Climate Change]] at the [[Earth Summit]] (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development) in [[Rio de Janeiro]] in 1992. |
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During the period of the Sixth Assessment Report, the IPCC released three special reports. The first and most influential was the [[Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C|Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C]] in 2018. In 2019 the [[Special Report on Climate Change and Land]] (SRCCL), and the [[Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate]] (SROCC) came out. The IPCC also updated its methodologies in 2019. So the sixth assessment cycle was the most ambitious in the IPCC's history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Decisions adopted by the 43rd Session of the Panel |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/05/p43_decisions.pdf |page= 11 decision 6}}</ref> |
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The major conclusion was that research since 1990 did "not affect our fundamental understanding of the science of the greenhouse effect and either confirm or do not justify alteration of the major conclusions of the first IPCC scientific assessment". It noted that transient (time-dependent) simulations, which had been very preliminary in the FAR, were now improved, but did not include aerosol or ozone changes. |
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{{TOC level|3}} |
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===IPCC Second Assessment Report: Climate Change 1995=== |
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{{Main|IPCC Second Assessment Report}} |
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''Climate Change 1995'', the IPCC Second Assessment Report (SAR), was finished in 1996. It is split into four parts: |
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* A synthesis to help interpret [[UNFCCC]] article 2. |
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* ''The Science of Climate Change'' (WG I) |
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* ''Impacts, Adaptations and Mitigation of Climate Change'' (WG II) |
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* ''Economic and Social Dimensions of Climate Change'' (WG III) |
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== Origins == |
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Each of the last three parts was completed by a separate working group, and each has a Summary for Policymakers (SPM) that represents a consensus of national representatives. The SPM of the WG I report contains headings: |
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The predecessor of the IPCC was the [[Advisory Group on Greenhouse Gases]] (AGGG).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Potter |first1=Thomas D. |title=Advisory Group on Greenhouse Gases Established Jointly by WMO, UNEP, and ICSU |journal=Environmental Conservation |date=Winter 1986 |volume=13 |issue=4 |page=365 |doi=10.1017/S0376892900035505 |s2cid=84551617 |doi-access=free |bibcode=1986EnvCo..13..365P }}</ref> Three organizations set up the AGGG in 1986. These were the [[International Council for Science|International Council of Scientific Unions]], the [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP), and the [[World Meteorological Organization]] (WMO). The AGGG reviewed scientific research on greenhouse gases. It also studied increases in greenhouse gases. [[Climate Science|Climate science]] was becoming more complicated and covering more disciplines. This small group of scientists lacked the resources to cover climate science. |
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The [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] sought an international convention to restrict [[greenhouse gas emissions]]. The [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|Reagan Administration]] worried that independent scientists would have too much influence. The WMO and UNEP therefore created the IPCC as an intergovernmental body in 1988. Scientists take part in the IPCC as both experts and government representatives. The IPCC produces reports backed by all leading relevant scientists. Member governments must also endorse the reports by consensus agreement. So the IPCC is both a scientific body and an organization of governments.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weart |first=Spencer R. |title=[[The Discovery of Global Warming]] |date=2008 |isbn=978-0-674-41755-7 |edition=Revised and expanded |location=Cambridge, Mass. |chapter=Democracy and Policy Advice (1980s) |oclc=872115457 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109135754/http://www.aip.org/history/climate/internat.htm#S9 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |chapter-url=http://www.aip.org/history/climate/internat.htm#S9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2021/07/AR6_FS_What_is_IPCC.pdf|title=IPCC Factsheet: What is the IPCC?}}</ref> Its job is to tell governments what scientists know about climate change. It also examines the [[Effects of climate change|impacts of climate change]] and options for dealing with it. The IPCC does this by assessing peer-reviewed scientific literature.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hulme |first1=Mike |last2=Mahony |first2=Martin |date=October 2010 |title=Climate change: What do we know about the IPCC? |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0309133310373719 |journal=Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment |language=en |volume=34 |issue=5 |pages=705–718 |doi=10.1177/0309133310373719 |bibcode=2010PrPG...34..705H |s2cid=130711399 |issn=0309-1333}}</ref> |
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# Greenhouse gas concentrations have continued to increase |
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# Anthropogenic aerosols tend to produce negative radiative forcings |
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# Climate has changed over the past century (air temperature has increased by between 0.3 and 0.6 °C since the late 19th century; this estimate has not significantly changed since the 1990 report). |
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# The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate (considerable progress since the 1990 report in distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic influences on climate, because of: including aerosols; coupled models; pattern-based studies) |
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# Climate is expected to continue to change in the future (increasing realism of simulations increases confidence; important uncertainties remain but are taken into account in the range of model projections) |
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# There are still many uncertainties (estimates of future emissions and biogeochemical cycling; models; instrument data for model testing, assessment of variability, and detection studies) |
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The [[United Nations]] endorsed the creation of the IPCC in 1988. The [[General Assembly resolution]] noted that human activity could change the climate. This could lead to severe economic and social consequences. It said increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases could [[Instrumental temperature record|warm the planet]]. This would cause the [[Sea level rise|sea level to rise]]. The effects for humanity would be disastrous if timely steps were not taken.<ref name="UNGA resolution endorsing IPCC" /> |
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==== Debate ==== |
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[[Keith Shine]], one of IPCC's lead authors, discussing the Policymakers' Summary, said: "We produce a draft, and then the policymakers go through it line by line and change the way it is presented.... It's peculiar that they have the final say in what goes into a scientists' report".<ref name=singerswsj>{{cite web |
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|date=25 July 1997 |
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|title=A Treaty Built on Hot Air, Not Scientific Consensus |
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|publisher=SEPP website |
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|author=Singer, S.F. |
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|url=http://www.sepp.org/key%20issues/glwarm/hotair.html |
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|accessdate=2009-03-07}}</ref> It is not clear, in this case, whether Shine was complaining that the report had been changed to be more skeptical, or less, or something else entirely.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
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== Organization == |
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[[Solid-state physics|Solid-state physicist]] [[Frederick Seitz]], president emeritus of Rockefeller University, past president of the National Academy of Sciences, and former health consultant for [[R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company]] publicly denounced the IPCC report, writing "I have never witnessed a more disturbing corruption of the peer-review process than the events that led to this IPCC report". He opposed it in the [[Leipzig Declaration]] of [[S. Fred Singer]]'s [[Science and Environmental Policy Project]]. |
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[[File:IPCC adoption of the Summary for Policymakers of the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Adoption of the Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC [[Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C|Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C]] in 2018]] |
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=== Way of working === |
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In turn, Seitz's comments were vigorously opposed by the presidents of the [[American Meteorological Society]] and [[University Corporation for Atmospheric Research]], who wrote about a "systematic effort by some individuals to undermine and discredit the scientific process that has led many scientists working on understanding climate to conclude that there is a very real possibility that humans are modifying Earth's climate on a global scale. Rather than carrying out a legitimate scientific debate... they are waging in the public media a vocal campaign against scientific results with which they disagree".<ref name=ucarquarterly>{{cite web |
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The IPCC does not conduct original research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is the IPCC? |url=https://eciu.net/analysis/briefings/climate-science-the-basics/what-is-the-ipcc |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit |date=18 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> It produces comprehensive assessments on the state of knowledge of climate change. It prepares reports on special topics relevant to climate change. It also produces methodologies. These methodologies help countries estimate their greenhouse gas emissions and removals through sinks. Its assessments build on previous reports and scientific publications. Over the course of six assessments the reports reflect the growing evidence for a changing climate. And they show how this is due to human activity. |
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|date=25 July 1996 |
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|title=Special insert—An open letter to Ben Santer |
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|publisher=UCAR Quarterly |
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|author=Rasmussen, C. (ed) |
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|url=http://www.ucar.edu/communications/quarterly/summer96/insert.html |
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|accessdate=2009-06-24}}</ref> |
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=== Rules and governing principles === |
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[[S. Fred Singer]] disseminated a letter about Chapter 8 of the IPCC Working Group I report, asserting that:<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/19980629122454/http://www.sepp.org/ipcccont/ipccflap.htm</ref> |
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The IPCC has adopted its rules of procedure in the "Principles Governing IPCC Work". These state that the IPCC will assess:<ref name="Principles"/> |
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# Chapter 8 was altered substantially to make it conform to the Summary; |
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* the risk of [[Global warming|climate change]] caused by human activities, |
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# Three key clauses — expressing the consensus of authors, contributors, and reviewers — should have been placed into the Summary instead of being deleted from the approved draft chapter; |
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* its [[Effects of global warming|potential impacts]], and |
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* possible [[Climate change mitigation|options for prevention]]. |
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Under IPCC rules its assessments are comprehensive, objective, open and transparent. They cover all the information relevant to the scientific understanding of climate change. This draws on scientific, technical and socioeconomic information. IPCC reports must be neutral regarding policy recommendations. However, they may address the objective factors relevant to enacting policies.<ref name="Principles"/> |
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=== Structure === |
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[[Benjamin D. Santer]], Convening Lead Author of Chapter 8 of 1995 IPCC Working Group I Report, replied:<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/19981202173029/http://www.sepp.org/ipcccont/Item08.htm</ref> |
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The IPCC has the following structure: |
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# All revisions were made with the sole purpose of producing the best-possible and most clearly explained assessment of the science, and were under the full scientific control of the Convening Lead Author of Chapter 8. |
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* IPCC Panel: Meets in [[plenary session]] about twice a year. It may meet more often for the approval of reports.<ref name="Structure" /> It controls the IPCC's structure, procedures, work programme and budget. It accepts and approves IPCC reports. The Panel is the IPCC corporate entity.<ref name="Structure"/> |
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# None of the changes were politically motivated. |
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* Chair: Elected by the Panel. Chairs the Bureau and other bodies. Represents the organization. |
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* Bureau: Elected by the Panel. It currently has 34 members from different geographic regions. Besides the Chair and three IPCC Vice-Chairs, they provide the leadership for the IPCC's three Working Groups and Task Force.<ref name="IPCC Bureau">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/bureau/|title=Bureau Portal — IPCC|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> It provides guidance to the Panel on the scientific and technical aspects of its work.<ref>{{cite web |title=The IPCC Bureau |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/bureau/ |website=The IPCC Bureau (see Terms of Reference) |publisher=IPCC}}</ref> |
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* Working Groups: Each has two Co-Chairs, one from a developed and one from a developing country. A technical support unit supports each Working Group. Working Group sessions approve the Summary for Policymakers of assessment and special reports. Each Working Group has a Bureau. This consists of its Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs, who are also members of the IPCC Bureau. |
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** Working Group I: Assesses scientific aspects of the climate system and climate change. Co-Chairs: Robert Vautard (France) and Xiaoye Zhang (China)<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=IPCC wraps up elections in Nairobi — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/2023/07/28/ipcc-wraps-up-elections-in-nairobi/ |access-date=2023-07-29}}</ref> |
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** Working Group II: Assesses the impacts of climate change on human and natural systems. Assesses adaptation options. Co-Chairs: Bart van den Hurk (Netherlands) and Winston Chow (Singapore)<ref name=":9" /> |
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** Working Group III: Assesses how to stop climate change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions. (Known as "mitigation".) Co-Chairs: [[Katherine Calvin]] (United States) and Joy Jacqueline Pereira (Malaysia)<ref name=":9" /> |
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* Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |title=Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/working-group/tfi/ |access-date=25 February 2019}}</ref> Develops methodologies for estimating greenhouse gas emissions. Co-Chairs: Takeshi Enoki (Japan) and Mazhar Hayat (Pakistan)<ref name=":9" /> |
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** Task Force Bureau: Consists of two Co-Chairs, who are also members of the IPCC Bureau, and 12 members. |
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* Executive Committee: Consists of the Chair, IPCC Vice-Chairs and the Co-Chairs of the Working Groups and Task Force. It addresses urgent issues that arise between sessions of the Panel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Structure of the IPCC - The Executive Committee |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/about/structure/ |website=Structure of the IPCC |ref=(see Terms of Reference of the Executive Committee)}}</ref> |
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* Secretariat: Administers activities, supports the Chair and Bureau, point of contact for governments. Supported by UNEP and the WMO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/09/IAC_Secretariat_TSU.pdf|title=Terms of Reference of the IPCC Secretariat}}</ref> |
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==== Chair ==== |
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Santer's position was supported by fellow IPCC authors and senior figures of the American Meteorological Society and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.<ref name=ucarquarterly /> In 1997, Paul Edwards and IPCC author [[Stephen Schneider]] published a paper rebutting criticisms of the IPCC report.<ref name=edwardsschneider>{{cite web |
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The chair of the IPCC is British energy scientist [[James Skea|Jim Skea]], who is hosted by the [[International Institute for Environment and Development]] (IIED). Skea has served since 28 July 2023 with the election of the new IPCC Bureau.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IPCC elects Jim Skea as the new Chair — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/2023/07/26/jim-skea-new-ipcc-chair/ |access-date=2023-07-29}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> His predecessor was Korean economist [[Hoesung Lee]], elected in 2015. The previous chairs were [[Rajendra K. Pachauri]], elected in 2002, [[Robert Watson (scientist)|Robert Watson]], elected in 1997, and [[Bert Bolin]], elected in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2019/03/16th-anniversary-brochure.pdf|title=16 Years of Scientific Assessment in Support of the Climate Convention}}</ref> |
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|date=1997 |
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|title=The 1995 IPCC Report: Broad Consensus or “Scientific Cleansing”? |
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|publisher=''Ecofable/Ecoscience'', 1:1 (1997), pp. 3-9 |
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|author=Edwards, P. and S. Schneider |
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|url=http://www.si.umich.edu/~pne/PDF/ecofables.pdf |
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|accessdate=2009-06-24}}</ref> |
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==== |
==== Panel ==== |
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The Panel consists of representatives appointed by governments. They take part in plenary sessions of the IPCC and its Working Groups. Non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations may attend as observers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Structure of the IPCC - Observer Organizations |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/about/structure/ |website=IPCC }}</ref> Meetings of IPCC bodies are by invitation only.<ref name="Principles" /> About 500 people from 130 countries attended the 48th Session of the Panel in Incheon, Republic of Korea. This took place in October 2018. They included 290 government officials and 60 representatives of observer organizations. The opening ceremonies of sessions of the Panel and of Lead Author Meetings are open to media. Otherwise, IPCC meetings are closed. |
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The Second Assessment Report was controversial in its treatment of the economic value of human life.<ref>{{cite journal |author=F. Pearce |title=Global Row over Value of Human Life |journal=New Scientist |page=7 |date=August 19, 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=E. Masood |title=Developing Countries Dispute Use of Figures on Climate Change Impact |journal=Nature |volume=376 |issue= |page=374 |year=1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=E. Masood and A. Ochert |title=UN Climate Change Report Turns up the Heat |journal=Nature |volume=378 |issue= |page=119 |year=1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=A. Meyer |title=Economics of Climate Change |journal=Nature |volume=378 |issue= |pages=433 |year=1995 |doi=10.1038/378433a0}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=N. Sundaraman |title=Impact of Climate Change |journal=Nature |volume=377 |pages=472 |year=1995 |pmid=7566134 |issue=6549 |doi=10.1038/377472c0}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=T. O'Riordan |title=Review of Climate Change 1995 – Economic and Social Dimension |journal=Environment |volume=39 |issue=9 |pages=34–39 |year=1997}}</ref> In environmental economics, it is customary to value the health impacts of climate change on the basis of willingness to pay for [[risk management|risk reduction]]. An advantage of this method is that health risks of climate change are treated like any other health risk. Some have commented on the difficultly of calculating the costs of climate change impacts such as human mortality.<ref name=jacobyh>{{cite web |
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|date=2004 |
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|title=Report No. 107. Informing Climate Policy Given Incommensurable Benefits Estimates |
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|publisher=MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change |
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|author=Jacoby, H. |
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|url= http://web.mit.edu/globalchange/www/MITJPSPGC_Rpt107.pdf |
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|accessdate=2009-05-20}}</ref><ref name=ipccwg2c8>{{cite web |
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|date=2007 |
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|title=Human health. ''Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change'' |
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|publisher=Cambridge University Press |
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|author=Confalonieri, U., B. Menne, R. Akhtar, K.L. Ebi, M. Hauengue, R.S. Kovats, B. Revich and A. Woodward. M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds. |
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|url= http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg2.htm |
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|accessdate=2009-05-20}}</ref><ref name=usgchealth>{{cite web |
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|date=2008 |
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|title=2008: Effects of Global Change on Human Welfare. In: Analyses of the effects of global change on human health and welfare and human systems. A Report by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research. |
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|publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
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|author=Sussman, F.G., M.L. Cropper, H. Galbraith, D. Godschalk, J. Loomis, G. Luber, M. McGeehin, J.E. Neumann, W.D. Shaw, A.Vedlitz, and S. Zahran. Gamble, J.L. (ed.), K.L. Ebi, F.G. Sussman, T.J. Wilbanks, (Authors). |
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|url=http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-6/final-report/ |
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|accessdate=2009-05-20}}</ref> For example, in calculations based on risk reduction, the value of a statistical life is assessed to be much higher in rich countries than in poor countries. |
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=== Funding === |
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This information was presented in the full Second Assessment Report, however, dispute arose over the Report's Summary for Policymakers. The Summary for Policymakers (SPM) is prepared with the input of government delegates and IPCC experts. Governments were unhappy with the [[cost-benefit analysis|cost-benefit]] valuation of human life, and this was implied in the SPM. [[David Pearce (economist)|David Pearce]], the IPCC convening lead author who oversaw the relevant chapter of the Report, officially dissented on this summary, commenting that:<ref name=edvcbn>{{cite web |
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The IPCC receives funding through a dedicated [[Trust law|trust fund]]. UNEP and the WMO established the fund in 1989. The trust fund receives annual financial contributions from member governments. The WMO, UNEP and other organizations also contribute. Payments are voluntary and there is no set amount required. The WMO covers the operating costs of the secretariat. It also sets the IPCC's financial regulations and rules.<ref>{{cite web |title=IPCC Procedures - Appendix B to the Principles Governing IPCC Work: Financial Procedures for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/documentation/procedures/ |website=IPCC Procedures |publisher=IPCC}}</ref> The Panel sets the annual budget. |
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|date=1 January 1996 |
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|title=Correction on Global Warming Cost Benefit Conflict |
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|publisher=Environmental Damage Valuation and Cost Benefit News |
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|author=Pearce, D. |
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|url=http://yosemite.epa.gov/ee/epalib/nwlet.nsf/434d5673ac53b154852564cd007a8a0d/716e9f1d6b29a006852564d600141f3a!OpenDocument |
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|accessdate=2009-05-20}}</ref> |
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<blockquote>The relevant chapter [of the Report] values of statistical life based on actual studies in different countries. Whether the values used remain as in Chapter 6 or whether a common global average is used makes no difference to the results. What the authors of Chapter 6 did not accept, and still do not accept, was the call from a few [government] delegates for a common valuation based on the highest number for willingness to pay.</blockquote> |
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In 2021, the IPCC's annual budget amounts to approximately six million euros, financed by the 195 UN Member states, who contribute "independently and voluntarily".<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Beaujon |first=Agathe |date=2021-08-09 |title=Changement climatique: Le Giec quésaco? |url=https://www.challenges.fr/green-economie/changement-climatique-5-chiffres-pour-comprendre-comment-fonctionne-le-giec_776157 |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=Challenges |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Comprendre le GIEC |url=https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/comprendre-giec |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=Ministères Écologie Énergie Territoires |language=fr}}</ref> In 2021, the countries giving the most money include the United States, Japan, France, Germany and Norway.<ref name=":8" /> Other countries, often developing ones, give an "in-kind contribution, by hosting IPCC meetings".<ref name=":8" /> In 2022, this budget was a little less than eight million euros.<ref name=":8" /> |
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Michael Grubb, a lead author for several IPCC reports,<ref name=grubbmbio>{{cite web |
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|date=24 July 2009 |
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|title=Michael Grubb |
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|publisher=[[University of Cambridge]] Faculty of Economics website |
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|author=Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge |
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|url=http://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/faculty/grubb/index.htm |
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|accessdate=2009-05-20}}</ref> later commented:<ref name=grubbm>{{cite web |
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|date=September 2005 |
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|title=Stick to the Target |
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|publisher=Prospect Magazine |
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|author=Grubb, M. |
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|url=http://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/faculty/grubb/publications/GA09.pdf |
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|accessdate=2009-05-20}}</ref> |
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<blockquote>Many of us think that the governments were basically right. The metric [used by Pearce] makes sense for determining how a given government might make tradeoffs between its own internal projects. But the same logic fails when the issue is one of damage inflicted by some countries on others: why should the deaths inflicted by the big emitters — principally the industrialised countries — be valued differently according to the wealth of the victims' countries?</blockquote> |
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=== List of all reports === |
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===IPCC Third Assessment Report: Climate Change 2001=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
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{{Main|IPCC Third Assessment Report}} |
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!Year |
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!Name of report |
|||
The Third Assessment Report (TAR) consists of four reports, three of them from its working groups: |
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!Type of report |
|||
* Working Group I: The Scientific Basis<ref name = "IPCC WG1">[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/index.htm Working Group 1], IPCC.</ref> |
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|- |
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* Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability<ref name = "IPCC WG2">[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg2/index.htm Working Group 2], IPCC.</ref> |
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|2023 |
|||
* Working Group III: Mitigation<ref name = "IPCC WG3">[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg3/index.htm Working Group 3], IPCC.</ref> |
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|AR6 Synthesis Report: ''Climate Change 2023'' (March 2023) |
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* Synthesis Report<ref name = "IPCC Synth">[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/vol4/index.htm Synthesis Report], IPCC.</ref> |
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|Synthesis Report |
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|- |
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The "headlines" from the Summary for Policymakers<ref name = "Headlines">[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/005.htm Headlines], IPCC.</ref> in ''The Scientific Basis'' were: |
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|2021 and 2022 |
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|[[IPCC Sixth Assessment Report|Sixth Assessment Report]] (AR6): ''Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis'' (Working Group I, August 2021), ''Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability'' (Working Group II, February 2022), ''Mitigation of Climate Change'' (Working Group III, April 2022) |
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#An increasing body of observations gives a collective picture of a warming world and other changes in the climate system (The [[temperature record|global average surface temperature]] has increased over the 20th century by about 0.6 °C; Temperatures have risen during the past four decades in the lowest 8 kilometers of the atmosphere; Snow cover and ice extent have decreased) |
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|Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
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#Emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols due to human activities continue to alter the atmosphere in ways that are expected to affect the climate (Anthropogenic aerosols are short-lived and mostly produce negative [[radiative forcing]]; Natural factors have made small contributions to radiative forcing over the past century) |
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|- |
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#Confidence in the ability of models to project future climate has increased (Complex physically based climate models are required to provide detailed estimates of feedback and of regional features. Such models cannot yet simulate all aspects of climate (e.g., they still cannot account fully for the observed trend in the surface-troposphere temperature difference since 1979) and there are particular uncertainties associated with clouds and their interaction with radiation and aerosols. Nevertheless, confidence in the ability of these models to provide useful projections of future climate has improved due to their demonstrated performance on a range of space and time-scales.<ref name = "WG1 7">[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/007.htm Working Group 1], IPCC.</ref>) |
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|2019 |
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#There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the past 50 years is attributable to human activities |
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|[[Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate]] (SROCC) |
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#Human influences will continue to change atmospheric composition throughout the 21st century |
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|Special Report |
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#Global average temperature and sea level are projected to rise under all IPCC [[Special Report on Emissions Scenarios]] |
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|- |
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|2019 |
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The TAR estimate for the [[climate sensitivity]] is 1.5 to 4.5 °C; and the average surface temperature is projected to increase by 1.4 to 5.8 Celsius degrees over the period 1990 to 2100, and the sea level is projected to rise by 0.1 to 0.9 meters over the same period. The wide range in predictions is based on [[Special Report on Emissions Scenarios|scenarios]] that assume different levels of future CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. Each scenario then has a range of possible outcomes associated with it. The most optimistic outcome assumes an aggressive campaign to reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions; the most pessimistic is a "business as usual" scenario. Other scenarios fall in between.{{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} |
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|[[Special Report on Climate Change and Land]] (SRCCL) |
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|Special Report |
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IPCC uses the best available predictions and their reports are under strong scientific scrutiny. |
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|- |
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The IPCC concedes that there is a need for better models and better scientific understanding of some climate phenomena, as well as the uncertainties involved. |
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|2019 |
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Critics assert that the data is insufficient to determine the real importance of [[greenhouse gas]]es in climate change. |
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|2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories<ref>IPCC 2019, 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Calvo Buendia, E., Tanabe, K., Kranjc, A., Baasansuren, J., Fukuda, M., Ngarize, S., Osako, A., Pyrozhenko, Y., Shermanau, P. and Federici, S. (eds). Published: IPCC, Switzerland.</ref> |
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Sensitivity of climate to greenhouse gases may be overestimated or underestimated because of flaws in the models and because the importance of some external factors may be misestimated. The predictions are based on scenarios, and the IPCC did not assign any probability to the 35 scenarios used.{{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} |
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|Methodology Report |
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|- |
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====Economic growth estimates debate==== |
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|2018 |
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|[[Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C|Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C]] (SR15) |
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Castles and Henderson asserted that the IPCC's use of market exchange rates in the [[Special Report on Emissions Scenarios]] to convert GDP measures into a common currency is inappropriate, and that, for most countries a [[Purchasing Power Parity]] conversion would yield higher estimates of income. It follows that the rate of growth implied by an assumption of income convergence is higher if exchange rate conversions are used. They imply that this is likely to produce biased projections of emissions.<ref>Castles and Henderson (2003), Energy & Environment, 14:159-185</ref> Nebojsa Nakicenovic et al. claim that this is incorrect because, provided an internally consistent procedure is used, projections of emissions are unaffected by the choice of index number used to measure GDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/article?author=Nakicenovic&year_from=2002&year_to=2007&database=1&pageSize=20&index=2|title=IPCC SRES Revisited: A Response|accessdate=2007-05-01}}</ref> See the discussion under [[Special Report on Emissions Scenarios]]. |
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|Special Report |
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<!-- The given reference does support the first part of the sentence (Castles and Henderson asserted inflated growth rates), but not the second part (this results in increased emissions estimates). --> |
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|- |
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|2014 |
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====Physical modeling debate==== |
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|AR5 Synthesis Report: ''Climate Change 2014''<ref>IPCC, 2014: Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri and L.A. Meyer (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 151 pp.</ref> |
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{{See also|global climate model}} |
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|Synthesis Report |
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[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] professor [[Richard Lindzen]], one of the lead authors of the IPCC Working Group I Report, has criticised the [[IPCC Summary for Policymakers]] document before the [[U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation]]: |
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|- |
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|2013 and 2014 |
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{{quotation|The summary does not reflect the full document... For example, I worked on Chapter 7, Physical Processes. This chapter dealt with the nature of the basic processes which determine the response of climate, and found numerous problems with model treatments – including those of clouds and water vapor. The chapter was summarized with the following sentence: 'Understanding of climate processes and their incorporation in climate models have improved, including water vapor, sea-ice dynamics, and ocean heat transport.'<ref>{{cite web | title=Testimony of Richard S. Lindzen before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee | first=Richard S. | last=Lindzen | authorlink=Richard Lindzen | url=http://www.john-daly.com/TAR2000/lindzen.htm | publisher=john-daly.com | date=May 1, 2001 | accessdate=2007-08-29 }}</ref>}} |
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|[[Fifth Assessment Report]] (AR5) ''Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis'' (Working Group I, September 2013), ''Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability'' (Working Group II, March 2014), ''Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change'' (Working Group III, April 2014) |
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|Assessment (Working Group contributions) |
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[[Sir John Houghton]], former Chair of the IPCC Working Group I Report, has commented on Lindzen's criticisms of the IPCC:<ref name=jri>{{cite web |
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|- |
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|date= March 2007 |
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|2013 |
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|title=''[[The Great Global Warming Swindle]]'' documentary film |
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|2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands<ref>IPCC 2014, 2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands, Hiraishi, T., Krug, T., Tanabe, K., Srivastava, N., Baasansuren, J., Fukuda, M. and Troxler, T.G. (eds). Published: IPCC, Switzerland.</ref> |
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|publisher=The John Ray Initiative |
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|Methodology Report |
|||
|author=[[John Houghton|Houghton, J.]] |
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|- |
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|url=http://www.jri.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=137&Itemid=83 |
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|2013 |
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|accessdate=2009-06-24}}</ref> |
|||
|2013 Revised Supplementary Methods and Good Practice Guidance Arising from the Kyoto Protocol<ref>IPCC 2014, 2013 Revised Supplementary Methods and Good Practice Guidance Arising from the Kyoto Protocol, Hiraishi, T., Krug, T., Tanabe, K., Srivastava, N., Baasansuren, J., Fukuda, M. and Troxler, T.G. (eds) Published: IPCC, Switzerland.</ref> |
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|Methodology Report |
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<blockquote>[...] Professor Lindzen [has expressed] his satisfaction with the [IPCC] report’s chapters as good scientific documents. He has often, however, gone on to express his view that the conclusions of the Policymakers Summary did not faithfully represent the chapters. But he has never provided any supporting evidence for that statement [...]</blockquote> |
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|- |
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|2011 |
|||
<blockquote>It is important to note that IPCC Policymakers’ Summaries are agreed unanimously at intergovernmental meetings involving over 200 government delegates from around 100 countries. This agreement is only achieved after several days of scientific debate (only scientific arguments not political ones are allowed) the main purpose of which is to challenge the scientific chapter authors regarding the accuracy, clarity and relevance of the summary and most especially its consistency with the underlying chapters. Agreement at such a meeting has ensured that the resulting document, so far as is possible, is scientifically accurate, balanced and free from personal or political bias.</blockquote> |
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|Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX)<ref>IPCC, 2012: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/managing-the-risks-of-extreme-events-and-disasters-to-advance-climate-change-adaptation/ Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] [Field, C.B., V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L. Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen, M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, New York, US, 582 pp.</ref> |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
|||
|2011 |
|||
|Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN)<ref>IPCC, 2011 – Ottmar Edenhofer, Ramón Pichs-Madruga, Youba Sokona, Kristin Seyboth, Patrick Matschoss, Susanne Kadner, Timm Zwickel, Patrick Eickemeier, Gerrit Hansen, Steffen Schloemer, Christoph von Stechow (Eds.) |
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Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, New York, US, 1075 pp.</ref> |
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===IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007=== |
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|Special Report |
|||
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="width:180px; margin:1em; float:right;" |
|||
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:#B3B7FF" |The four SRES scenario families<ref>according to: [http://www.cics.uvic.ca/scenarios/index.cgi?More_Info-Emissions Canadian Institute for Climate Studies, CCIS project: ''Frequently Asked Questions '']</ref><ref>[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc/emission/091.htm#4.2.1. IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios, Chapter 4: An Overview of Scenarios / 4.2. SRES Scenario Taxonomy / '''Table 4- 2: Overview of SRES scenario quantifications.''']</ref><ref>[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg3/081.htm Figure 2.11: Schematic illustration of SRES scenarios (IPCC)]</ref> of the ''Fourth Assessment Report'' vs. associated changes in global-mean temperature until 2100 |
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|- |
|- |
||
|2007 |
|||
|<center><small>[http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/wg1-report.html AR4]</small></center> |
|||
|AR4 Synthesis Report: ''Climate Change 2007'' |
|||
|<small>more economic focus</small> |
|||
|Synthesis Report |
|||
|<small>more environmental focus</small> |
|||
|- |
|||
|- style="vertical-align:middle;" |
|||
|2007 |
|||
|[[Globalisation]]<br /><small>(homogeneous world)</small> |
|||
|[[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report|Fourth Assessment Report]] (AR4) ''Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis'' (Working Group I, February 2007), ''Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability'' (Working Group II, April 2007), ''Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change'' (Working Group III, May 2007) |
|||
| align="center" |'''A1'''<br /> <small>rapid economic growth</small><br /><small>(groups: A1T/A1B/A1Fl)</small><br />'''1.4 - 6.4 °C''' |
|||
|Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
|||
| align="center" | '''B1'''<br /><small>global environmental sustainability</small><small> </small><br />'''1.1 - 2.9 °C''' |
|||
|- |
|||
|- style="vertical-align:middle;" |
|||
|2006 |
|||
|[[Regionalisation]]<br /><small>(heterogeneous world)</small> |
|||
|2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories |
|||
| align="center" | '''A2'''<br /><small>regionally oriented<br />economic development</small><br />'''2.0 - 5.4 °C''' |
|||
|Methodology Report |
|||
| align="center" | '''B2'''<br /><small>local environmental sustainability</small><br />'''1.4 - 3.8 °C''' |
|||
|- |
|||
|2005 |
|||
|Safeguarding the Ozone Layer and the Global Climate System |
|||
|Special Report |
|||
|- |
|||
|2005 |
|||
|Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage<ref name=":02">IPCC, 2005: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/carbon-dioxide-capture-and-storage/ IPCC Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage]. Prepared by Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Metz, B., O. Davidson, H. C. de Coninck, M. Loos, and L. A. Meyer (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, New York, US, 442 pp.</ref> |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
|||
|2003 |
|||
|Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry |
|||
|Methodology Report |
|||
|- |
|||
|2003 |
|||
|Definitions and Methodological Options to Inventory Emissions from Direct Human-induced Degradation of Forests and Devegatation of Other Vegetation Types |
|||
|Methodology Report |
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|- |
|||
|2001 |
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|TAR Synthesis Report: ''Climate Change 2001'' |
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|Synthesis Report |
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|- |
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|2001 |
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|[[Third Assessment Report]] (TAR) ''Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis'' (Working Group I), ''Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability'' (Working Group II), ''Climate Change 2001: Mitigation'' (Working Group III) |
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|Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
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|- |
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|2000 |
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|Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories |
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|Methodology Report |
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|- |
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|2000 |
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|Methodological and Technological Issues in Technology Transfer |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
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|2000 |
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|Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
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|2000 |
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|[[Special Report on Emissions Scenarios]] (SRES) |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
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|1999 |
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|Aviation and the Global Atmosphere |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
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|1997 |
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|The Regional Impacts of Climate Change: An Assessment of Vulnerability |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
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|1996 |
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|Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories |
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|Methodology Report |
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|- |
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|1996 |
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|SAR Synthesis Report: ''Climate Change 1995'' |
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|Synthesis Report |
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|- |
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|1995 |
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|[[IPCC Second Assessment Report|Second Assessment Report]] (SAR) ''Climate Change 1995: The Science of Climate Change'' (Working Group I), ''Climate Change 1995: Impacts, Adaptations and Mitigation of Climate Change: Scientific-Technical Analyses'' (Working Group II), ''Climate Change 1995: Economic and Social Dimensions of Climate Change'' (Working Group III) |
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|Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
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|- |
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|1994 |
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|IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories |
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|Methodology Report |
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|- |
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|1994 |
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|Climate Change 1994: Radiative Forcing of Climate Change and An Evaluation of the IPCC IS92 Emission Scenarios |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
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|1994 |
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|IPCC Technical Guidelines for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Adaptations |
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|Special Report |
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|- |
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|1992 |
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|FAR ''Climate Change: The IPCC 1990 and 1992 Assessments'' (June 1992) (includes an Overview of the whole report) |
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|Assessment Report (Working Group contributions)/Synthesis Report |
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|- |
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|1992 |
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|FAR ''Climate Change 1992: The Supplementary Report to the IPCC Scientific Assessment'' (Working Group I, February 2022), ''Climate Change 1992: The Supplementary Report to the IPCC Impacts Assessment'' (Working Group II, February 2022) |
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|Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
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|- |
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|1990 |
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|[[IPCC First Assessment Report|First Assessment Report]] (FAR) ''Climate Change: The IPCC Scientific Assessment'' (Working Group I), ''Climate Change: The IPCC Impacts Assessment'' (Working Group II), ''Climate Change: The IPCC Response Strategies'' (Working Group III) |
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|Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
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|} |
|} |
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=== Activities other than report preparation === |
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The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) was completed in early 2007.<ref>[http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/wg1_home.html IPCC WG1], UCAR.</ref> Like previous assessment reports, it consists of four reports, three of them from its working groups. |
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The IPCC bases its work on the decisions of the WMO and UNEP, which established the IPCC. It also supports the work of the UNFCCC.<ref name="Principles" /> The main work of the IPCC is to prepare assessment and other reports. It also supports other activities such as the Data Distribution Centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to the IPCC Data Distribution Centre |url=http://www.ipcc-data.org/ |access-date=25 June 2012 |publisher=Ipcc-data.org |archive-date=19 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519152028/http://www.ipcc-data.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> This helps manage data related to IPCC reports. |
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The IPCC has a "Gender Policy and Implementation Plan" to pay attention to gender in its work. It aims to carry out its work in an inclusive and respectful manner. The IPCC aims for balance in participation in IPCC work. This should offer all participants equal opportunity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gender — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/about/gender/ |access-date=2022-10-21}}</ref> |
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Working Group I dealt with the "Physical Science Basis of Climate Change." |
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The Working Group I Summary for Policymakers (SPM) was published on February 2, 2007<ref name="WG1SPM2Feb">{{PDFlink|http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM2feb07.pdf|1.25 MB}}</ref> and revised on February 5, 2007.<ref name="WG1SPM5Feb">{{PDFlink|[http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/docs/WG1AR4_SPM_Approved_05Feb.pdf IPCC Summary for Policymakers]|1.25 MB}}</ref> There was also a February 2, 2007 press release.<ref name = "PRWG">[http://www.ipcc.ch/press/prwg2feb07.htm Press release], IPCC, 2007-02-02.</ref> The full WGI report<ref name="WG1Full">{{Cite book | title=Climate Change 2007: The Physical Sciences Basis| url=http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/wg1-report.html | publisher=IPCC | access-date=2007-04-30}}</ref> was published in March. The key conclusions of the SPM were that:<ref name="WG1SPM2Feb"/> |
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==== Communications and dissemination activities ==== |
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*''Warming of the climate system is unequivocal''. |
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The IPCC enhanced its communications activities for the Fifth Assessment Report. For instance it made the approved report and press release available to registered media under embargo before the release.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 February 2014 |title=IPCC Media Advisory: IPCC Working Group II and Working Group III Reports, 2014 |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/2014/02/21/ipcc-working-group-ii-and-working-group-iii-reports/ |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> And it expanded its outreach activities with an outreach calendar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.ipcc.ch/apps/outreach/index.php|title=Outreach - Programme|website=archive.ipcc.ch}}</ref> The IPCC held an Expert Meeting on Communication in February 2016, at the start of the Sixth Assessment Report cycle. Members of the old and new Bureaus worked with communications experts and practitioners at this meeting. This meeting produced a series of recommendations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/event/ipcc-expert-meeting-on-communication/|title=IPCC Expert Meeting on Communication — IPCC}}</ref> The IPCC adopted many of them. One was to bring people with communications expertise into the Working Group Technical Support Units. Another was to consider communications questions early on in the preparation of reports. |
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*''Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human) greenhouse gas concentrations''. |
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*''Anthropogenic warming and [[sea level rise]] would continue for centuries due to the timescales associated with climate processes and feedbacks, even if greenhouse gas concentrations were to be stabilized,'' although the likely amount of temperature and sea level rise varies greatly depending on the fossil intensity of human activity during the next century (pages 13 and 18).<ref name = WG1SPM5Feb /> |
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*The probability that this is caused by natural climatic processes alone is less than 5%.<!-- i.e. 'external forcing' is the cause --> |
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*World temperatures could rise by between 1.1 and 6.4 °C (2.0 and 11.5 °F) during the 21st century (table 3) and that: |
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**Sea levels will probably rise by 18 to 59 cm (7.08 to 23.22 in) [table 3]. |
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**There is a confidence level >90% that there will be more frequent warm spells, [[heat wave]]s and heavy rainfall. |
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**There is a confidence level >66% that there will be an increase in [[drought]]s, tropical [[cyclone]]s and extreme [[high tide]]s. |
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*Both past and future anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions will continue to contribute to warming and sea level rise for more than a millennium. |
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*''Global atmospheric concentrations of [[carbon dioxide]], [[methane]], and [[nitrous oxide]] have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values'' over the past 650,000 years |
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Following these steps in communications, the IPCC saw a significant increase in media coverage of its reports. This was particularly the case with the ''[[Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C]]'' in 2018 and ''Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis'', the Working Group I contribution to the [[IPCC Sixth Assessment Report|Sixth Assessment Report]], in 2021. There was also much greater public interest, reflected in the youth and other movements that emerged in 2018.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2019/01/010520190905-INF.-9Coms.pdf|title=Progress Report on Communication and Outreach Activities to the 49th Session of the IPCC, 2019}}</ref> |
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In IPCC statements "most" means greater than 50%, "likely" means at least a 66% likelihood, and "very likely" means at least a 90% likelihood. |
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IPCC reports are important for [[public awareness of climate change]] and related policymaking. This has led to a number of academic studies of IPCC communications, for example in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Neill |first=Saffron |date=5 October 2021 |title=Launch of the Topical Collection: Climate change communication and the IPCC, 2021 |url=https://saffrononeill.com/research_projects/si_cc_comms_ipcc/ |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=O'Neill |first1=Saffron |last2=Pidcock |first2=Roz |date=2021 |title=Introducing the Topical Collection: 'Climate change communication and the IPCC' |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-021-03253-3 |journal=Climatic Change |language=en |volume=169 |issue=3 |pages=19 |bibcode=2021ClCh..169...19O |doi=10.1007/s10584-021-03253-3 |issn=1573-1480 |pmc=8638646 |pmid=34876762}}</ref> |
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An outline of chapters in the WGI report (as of November 3, 2005)<ref name = "wg1outline">{{PDFlink|[http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/docs/wg1_AuthorList_2005-11-03.pdf Outline of IPCC WG1 chapters as of November 3, 2005]|21.8 KB}}</ref> and a list of the report's authors (as of March 10, 2005)<ref name = "wg1authors">{{PDFlink|[http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/docs/wg1_outline.pdf List of IPCC WG1 authors, as of March 10, 2005]|134 KB}}</ref> were made available before publication of the SPM. |
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==== Archiving ==== |
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The Summary for Policymakers for the Working Group II<ref>[http://www.ipcc-wg2.org/index.html IPCC WGII web site<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> report was released on April 6, 2007.<ref>Working Group II Contribution to the |
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The IPCC archives its reports and electronic files on its website. They include the review comments on drafts of reports. The Environmental Science and Public Policy Archives in the [[Harvard Library]] also archives them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-04-27 |title=Papers of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - Harvard College Library |url=http://hcl.harvard.edu/collections/ipcc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427023820/http://hcl.harvard.edu/collections/ipcc/ |archive-date=2010-04-27 |access-date=2022-10-27}}</ref> |
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Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report Climate Change 2007: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: {{PDFlink|http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM6avr07.pdf|547 KB}} (23 page PDF file)</ref> |
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The Summary for Policymakers for the Working Group III report<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM040507.pdf|title=WG III Summary for Policymakers: Mitigation of Climate Change|accessdate=2007-05-04|format=PDF}}</ref> was released on May 4, 2007. |
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The AR4 Synthesis Report (SYR) was released on November 17, 2007. |
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== |
==Assessment reports== |
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{{Main|IPCC Fifth Assessment Report}} |
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{{Main|IPCC First Assessment Report|IPCC Second Assessment Report|IPCC Third Assessment Report|IPCC Fourth Assessment Report|IPCC Fifth Assessment Report|IPCC Sixth Assessment Report}} |
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The IPCC is currently starting to outline its Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) which will be finalized in 2014. As it has been the case in the past, the outline of the AR5 will be developed through a scoping process which involves climate change experts from all relevant disciplines and users of IPCC reports, in particular representatives from governments. As a first step, experts, governments and organizations involved in the Fourth Assessment Report have been asked to submit comments and observations in writing. These submissions are currently being analysed by members of the Bureau. The scoping meeting of experts to define the outline of the AR5 is scheduled for 13-17 July 2009. The outline will be submitted to the 31st Session of the IPCC to be held in Bali, Indonesia, 26-29 October 2009.<ref>http://www.ipcc.ch/</ref> |
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[[File:Ipcc assessments pages.png|thumb|Page counts of the six IPCC Assessment Reports (1990 to 2021)]] |
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Between 1990 and 2023, the IPCC has published six comprehensive assessment reports reviewing the latest climate science. The IPCC has also produced 14 special reports on particular topics.<ref name="UCS IPCC Who are they?">{{cite web |title=The IPCC: Who Are They and Why Do Their Climate Reports Matter? |url=https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/ipcc-who-are-they |website=Union of Concerned Scientists: Reports & Multimedia - Activist Resources: Explainers |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=11 October 2018}}</ref> Each assessment report has four parts. These are a contribution from each of the three working groups, plus a synthesis report. The synthesis report integrates the working group contributions. It also integrates any special reports produced in that assessment cycle. |
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=== Review process of scientific literature === |
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===IPCC Methodology Reports=== |
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The IPCC does not carry out its own research. It does not monitor climate-related data. The reports by IPCC assess scientific papers and independent results from other scientific bodies. The IPCC sets a deadline for publication of scientific papers that a report will cover. That report will not include new information that emerges after this deadline. However, there is a steady evolution of key findings and levels of [[confidence interval|scientific confidence]] from one assessment report to the next.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 August 2021 |title=Climate change: Five things we have learned from the IPCC report |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58138714 |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref> Each IPCC report notes areas where the science has improved since the previous report. It also notes areas that would benefit from further research. |
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Within IPCC the [http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/ National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Program (IPCC-NGGIP)] develops methods and methodologies to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases. IPCC-NGGIP has been undertaken since 1991 by the IPCC WG I in close collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). |
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The objectives of the IPCC-NGGIP are: |
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*to develop and refine an internationally-agreed methodology and software for the calculation and reporting of national GHG emissions and removals; and |
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*to encourage the widespread use of this methodology by countries participating in the IPCC and by signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). |
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The [[IPCC First Assessment Report|First Assessment Report]] was published in 1990 and received an update in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate Change: The IPCC 1990 and 1992 Assessments — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/climate-change-the-ipcc-1990-and-1992-assessments/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904134132/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/climate-change-the-ipcc-1990-and-1992-assessments/ |archive-date=2021-09-04 |access-date=2021-09-04}}</ref> In intervals of about six years, new editions of IPCC Assessment Report followed. |
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====Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories==== |
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The [http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gl/invs1.html Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories] (1996 GLs) provide the methodological basis for the estimation of national [[greenhouse gas]] [[emission inventory]]. Over time these 1996GLs have been completed with guidance on so-called "Good Practice": |
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*[http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gp/english/index.html Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories]; and |
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*[http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gpglulucf/gpglulucf.html Good Practice Guidance for Land Use,Land-Use Change and Forestry] |
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Together the 1996 GLs and both good practice reports are to be used by parties to the [[UNFCCC]] and to the [[Kyoto Protocol]] in their annual submissions of national greenhouse gas inventories |
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===Selection and role of authors=== |
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====2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories==== |
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The focal points of the Member states — the individual appointed by each state to liaise with the IPCC — and the observer organizations submit to the IPCC Bureau a list of personalities, which they have freely constituted. The Bureau (more precisely, the co-chairs of the relevant working group, with the help of its technical support unit) uses these lists as a basis for appointing authors, while retaining the possibility of appointing people who are not on the list, primarily on the basis of scientific excellence and diversity of viewpoints, and to a lesser extent by ensuring geographical diversity, experience within the IPCC and gender. Authors may include, in addition to researchers, personalities from the private sector and experts from NGOs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Q&A: How IPCC reports get written, why they matter and what role governments play in them |url=https://www.sei.org/featured/faq-ipcc-report/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=SEI |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IPCC Factsheet: How does the IPCC select its authors? |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/FS_select_authors.pdf |website=IPCC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first=Adam |last=Standring|title=A critical assessment of the intergovernmental panel on climate change |chapter=Participant Selection|date=2023 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-316-51427-6 |editor-last=De Pryck |editor-first=Kari |location=Cambridge New York, NY Port Melbourne, VIC New Delhi Singapore |pages=63–66 |editor-last2=Hulme |editor-first2=Mike}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=De Pryck |first=Kari |title=GIEC, la voix du climat |date=2022 |publisher=Sciences po, les presses |isbn=978-2-7246-3870-7 |series=Collection académique |location=Paris |pages=43, 66–69}}</ref> |
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The 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories ([http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.html IPCC 2006 GLs]) comprises the latest versions of these emission estimation methodologies, including a large number of default emission factors. Although the IPCC has prepared these new version of the guidelines on request of the partires to the [[UNFCCC]], the methods have not been officially accepted yet for use in national greenhouse gas emisiosns reporting under the [[UNFCCC]] and the [[Kyoto Protocol]]. |
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The IPCC Bureau or Working Group Bureau selects the authors of the reports from government nominations. Lead authors of IPCC reports assess the available information about climate change based on published sources.<ref name="Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC Work">{{Cite web |title=Procedures — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/documentation/procedures/ |access-date=2022-10-04}} |
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==Operations== |
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</ref><ref>IPCC. [https://www.ipcc.ch/about/ About the IPCC]</ref> According to IPCC guidelines, authors should give priority to [[Peer review|peer-reviewed]] sources.<ref name="Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC Work" /> Authors may refer to non-peer-reviewed sources ("grey literature"), if they are of sufficient quality.<ref name="Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC Work" /> These could include reports from government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Industry journals and [[Climate model|model results]] are other examples of non-peer-reviewed sources.<ref name="Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC Work" /> |
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The Chair of the IPCC is [[Rajendra K. Pachauri]], elected in May 2002; previously [[Robert Watson (scientist)|Robert Watson]] headed the IPCC. The chair is assisted by an elected Bureau including vice-chairs, Working Group co-chairs and a Secretariat (see below). |
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Authors prepare drafts of a full report divided into chapters. They also prepare a technical summary of the report, and a [[IPCC Summary for Policymakers|summary for policymakers]].<ref name="Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC Work" /> |
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The IPCC Panel is composed of representatives appointed by governments and organizations. Participation of delegates with appropriate expertise is encouraged. Plenary sessions of the IPCC and IPCC [[Working group|Working Groups]] are held at the level of government representatives. Non Governmental and Intergovernmental Organizations may be allowed to attend as observers. Sessions of the IPCC Bureau, workshops, expert and lead authors meetings are by invitation only.<ref>IPCC. [http://www.ipcc.ch/meet/meet.htm Official documents]. Retrieved December 2006.</ref> Attendance at the 2003 meeting included 350 government officials and climate change experts. After the opening ceremonies, closed plenary sessions were held.<ref>IPCC. {{PDFlink|[http://www.ipcc.ch/meet/session20/finalreport20.pdf Report on the Twentieth Session of the IPCC]|379 KB}}. February 19, 2006. Retrieved December 20, 2006.</ref> The meeting report <ref name="ipcc2006">IPCC. {{PDFlink|[http://www.ipcc.ch/meet/drepipcc20att-a.pdf Twentieth Session]|127 KB}}. February 19, 2006. Retrieved December 20, 2006.</ref> states there were 322 persons in attendance at Sessions with about seven-eighths of participants being from governmental organizations.<ref name="ipcc2006"/> |
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Each chapter has a number of authors to write and edit the material. A typical chapter has two coordinating lead authors, ten to fifteen lead authors and a larger number of contributing authors. The coordinating lead authors assemble the contributions of the other authors. They ensure that contributions meet stylistic and formatting requirements. They report to the Working Group co-chairs. Lead authors write sections of chapters. They invite contributing authors to prepare text, graphs or data for inclusion.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |
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The IPCC has published four comprehensive assessment reports reviewing the latest climate science, as well as a number of special reports on particular topics. These reports are prepared by teams of relevant researchers selected by the Bureau from government nominations. Drafts of these reports are made available for comment in open review processes to which anyone may contribute. |
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|url= https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/FS_select_authors.pdf |
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|title= IPCC Factsheet: How does the IPCC select its authors? |
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|date= 30 August 2013 |
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|access-date= 12 October 2018 |
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}}</ref> Review editors must ensure that authors respond to comments received during the two stages of drafts review: the first is only open to external experts and researchers, while the second is also open to government representatives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guidance Note of the Role of Review Editors of the Working Group I Sixth Assessment Report (WGI AR6) |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2017/08/AR6_WGI_Guidance_note_Role_REs.pdf |website=IPCC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Registration opens for Expert Review of IPCC Working Group II contribution to IPCC Sixth Assessment Report — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/2019/10/11/wg2-ar6-first-order-draft-expert-review/ |access-date=2023-07-01}}</ref> |
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The Bureau aims for a range of views, expertise and geographical representation in its choice of authors. This ensures the author team includes experts from both developing and developed countries. The Bureau also seeks a balance between male and female authors. And it aims for a balance between those who have worked previously on IPCC reports and those new to the process.<ref name=":3" /> |
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The IPCC does not carry out research nor does it monitor climate related data. The responsibility of the lead authors of IPCC reports is to assess available information about [[climate change]] drawn mainly from the peer reviewed and published scientific/technical literature.<ref>IPCC. [http://www.ipcc.ch/about/about.htm Mandate and Membership of IPCC]. Retrieved December 20, 2006.</ref> |
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Scientists who work as authors on IPCC reports do not receive any compensation for this work, and all work on a voluntary basis.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=De Pryck |first=Kari |title=GIEC, la voix du climat |date=2022 |publisher=Sciences po, les presses |isbn=978-2-7246-3870-7 |series=Collection académique |location=Paris |pages=65–66}}</ref> They depend on the salaries they receive from their home institutions or other work. The work is labour-intensive with a big time commitment. It can disrupt participating scientists' research. This has led to concern that the IPCC process may discourage qualified scientists from participating.<ref>{{Cite book |author1=Committee on Analysis of Global Change Assessments |url=http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11868.html#toc |title=Analysis of Global Change Assessments: Lessons Learned |author2=Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate |author3=Division of Earth and Life Sciences |publisher=[[National Academies Press]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-0309104852 |access-date=24 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/52816599 |title=Climate change science : an analysis of some key questions |date=2001 |publisher=National Academy Press |others=National Research Council. Committee on the Science of Climate Change |isbn=0-309-52872-0 |location=Washington, D.C. |oclc=52816599}}</ref> More than 3,000 authors (coordinating lead authors, lead authors, review editors) have participated in the drafting of IPCC reports since its creation.<ref name=":7" /> |
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There are several major groups: |
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* IPCC Panel: Meets in plenary session about once a year and controls the organization's structure, procedures, and work programme. The Panel is the IPCC corporate entity. |
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* Chair: Elected by the Panel. |
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* Secretariat: Oversees and manages all activities. Supported by [[UNEP]] and [[WMO]]. |
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* Bureau: Elected by the Panel. Chaired by the Chair. 30 members include IPCC Vice-Chairs, Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Working Groups and Task Force. |
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* Working Groups: Each has two Co-Chairs, one from the developed and one from developing world, and a technical support unit. |
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** Working Group I: Assesses scientific aspects of the climate system and climate change. |
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** Working Group II: Assesses vulnerability of socio-economic and natural systems to climate change, consequences, and adaptation options. |
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** Working Group III: Assesses options for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and otherwise mitigating climate change. |
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* Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories |
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=== Review process for assessment reports === |
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The IPCC receives funding from UNEP, WMO, and its own Trust Fund for which it solicits contributions from governments. |
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Expert reviewers comment at different stages on the drafts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=IPCC |title=IPCC Factsheet: How does the IPCC review process work? |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/FS_review_process.pdf |access-date=18 January 2018 |website=Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |publisher=IPCC}}</ref> Reviewers come from member governments and IPCC observers. Also, anyone may become an IPCC reviewer by stating they have the relevant expertise. |
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There are generally three stages in the review process.<ref name="Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC Work" /> First comes expert review of the first draft of the chapters. The next stage is a review by governments and experts of the revised draft of the chapters and the first draft of the Summary for Policymakers. The third stage is a government review of the revised Summary for Policymakers. Review comments and author responses remain in an open archive for at least five years. Finally government representatives together with the authors review the Summary for Policymakers. They go through the Summary for Policymakers line by line to ensure it is a good summary for the underlying report. This final review of the Summary of Policymakers takes place at sessions of the responsible working group or of the Panel. |
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===Contributors=== |
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People from over 130 countries contributed to the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report over the previous 6 years. These people included more than 2500 scientific expert reviewers, more than 800 contributing authors, and more than 450 lead authors.<ref>[http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/press-ar4/ipcc-flyer-low.pdf Press flyer announcing 2007 report] IPCC</ref> |
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Of these, the Working Group 1 report (including the summary for policy makers) included contributions by 600 authors from 40 countries, over 620 expert reviewers, a large number of government reviewers, and representatives from 113 governments.<ref>[http://www.klima-aktiv.com/article96_3033.html Working Group I press release] IPCC via a copy at KlimaAktiv.com</ref> |
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==Activities== |
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The IPCC concentrates its activities on the tasks allotted to it by the relevant [[WMO]] Executive Council and [[UNEP]] Governing Council resolutions and decisions as well as on actions in support of the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|UN Framework Convention on Climate Change]] process.<ref name="principles" /> |
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In April 2006, the IPCC released the ''[[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report]]'' or AR4.<ref>IPCC. [http://www.ipcc.ch/activity/ar.htm#ar4 Activities — Assessment Reports]. Retrieved December 20, 2006.</ref> Reports of the workshops held so far are available at the IPCC website.<ref>IPCC. [http://www.ipcc.ch/activity/workshops.htm Activities — Workshops & Expert Meetings]. Retrieved December 20, 2006.</ref> |
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* Working Group I:<ref>[http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/wg1_home.html IPCC AR4 WGI<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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** Report was due to be finalized during February 2007<ref>http://www.ipcc.ch/press/pr02052006.htm</ref> and was finished on schedule. |
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** By May 2005, there had been 3 AR4 meetings, with only public information being meeting locations, an author list, one invitation, one agenda, and one list of presentation titles. |
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** By December 2006, governments were reviewing the revised summary for policy makers. |
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* Working Group II:<ref>http://www.gtp89.dial.pipex.com/index.htm</ref> |
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** Report was due to be finalized in mid-2007 and was completed on schedule. |
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** In May 2005, there had been 2 AR4 meetings, with no public information released. |
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** One shared meeting with WG III had taken place, with a published summary. |
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* Working Group III:<ref>http://www.mnp.nl/ipcc/pages_media/ar4.html</ref> |
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** Report was due to be finalized in mid-2007. |
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** In May 2005, there had been 1 AR4 meeting, with no public information released. |
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The AR4 Synthesis Report (SYR) was finalized in November 2007. Documentation on the scoping meetings for the AR4 are available<ref>http://www.ipcc.ch/meet/ar4scope.htm</ref> as are the outlines for the WG I report {{PDFlink|<ref>http://www.ipcc.ch/activity/wg1outlines.pdf</ref>|11.5 KB}} and a provisional author list {{PDFlink|<ref>http://www.ipcc.ch/activity/wg1authors.pdf</ref>|108 KB}}. |
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While the preparation of the assessment reports is a major IPCC function, it also supports other activities, such as the Data Distribution Centre<ref>[http://www.ipcc-data.org/ Welcome to the IPCC Data Distribution Centre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and the National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme,<ref>[http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/ IPCC - National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> required under the [[UNFCCC]]. This involves publishing default [[emission factor]]s, which are factors used to derive emissions estimates based on the levels of fuel consumption, industrial production and so on. |
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The IPCC also often answers inquiries from the UNFCCC '''Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA)'''. |
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==Publications== |
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===Scope and preparation of the reports=== |
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The IPCC reports are a compendium of [[peer review]]ed and published science. Each subsequent IPCC report notes areas where the science has improved since the previous report and also notes areas where further research is required. |
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There are generally three stages in the review process:{{PDFlink|1=<ref name="ipcc.ch">http://www.ipcc.ch/about/app-a.pdf</ref>|2=55.7 KB}} |
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* Expert review (6–8 weeks) |
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* Government/expert review |
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* Government review of: |
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** Summaries for Policymakers |
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** Overview Chapters |
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** Synthesis Report |
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Review comments are in an open archive for at least five years. |
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There are several types of endorsement which documents receive: |
There are several types of endorsement which documents receive: |
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* |
* Approval - Material has been subject to detailed, line-by-line discussion and agreement. (The relevant Working Groups ''approve'' Working Group Summaries for Policymakers. The Panel ''approves'' the Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers.) |
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* Adoption - Endorsed section by section (not line by line). (The Panel ''adopts'' the full IPCC Synthesis Report. It also ''adopts'' Overview Chapters of Methodology Reports.) |
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** Working Group Summaries for Policymakers are ''approved'' by their Working Groups. |
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* Acceptance - Not been subject to line-by-line discussion and agreement. But it presents a comprehensive, objective and balanced view of the subject matter. (Working Groups ''accept'' their reports. The Panel ''accepts'' Working Group Summaries for Policymakers after working group approval. The Panel ''accepts'' Methodology Reports.) |
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** Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers is ''approved'' by Panel. |
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* '''adoption''': Endorsed section by section (and not line by line). |
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** Panel ''adopts'' Overview Chapters of Methodology Reports. |
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** Panel ''adopts'' IPCC Synthesis Report. |
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* '''acceptance''': Not been subject to line by line discussion and agreement, but presents a comprehensive, objective, and balanced view of the subject matter. |
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** Working Groups ''accept'' their reports. |
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** Task Force Reports are ''accepted'' by the Panel. |
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** Working Group Summaries for Policymakers are ''accepted'' by the Panel after group ''approval''. |
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=== Key findings and impacts === |
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The Panel is responsible for the IPCC and its endorsement of Reports allows it to ensure they meet IPCC standards. The Panel's ''approval'' process has been criticized for changing the product of the experts who create the Reports. On the other hand, not requiring Panel re-endorsement of Reports has also been criticized, after changes required by the approval process were made to Reports. |
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==== Assessment reports one to five (1990 to 2014) ==== |
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[[File:John Houghton High Wycombe 20050226.jpg|thumb|right|[[IPCC Third Assessment Report]] Working Group I Co-chair Sir [[John T. Houghton]] showing a figure that was included in the "Summary for Policymakers" of that report ("[[hockey stick graph (global temperature)|hockey stick graph]]") at a climate conference in 2005]] |
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* The IPCC's [[IPCC First Assessment Report|First Assessment Report]] (FAR) appeared in 1990. The report gave a broad overview of climate change science. It discussed uncertainties and provided evidence of warming. The authors said they are certain that greenhouse gases are increasing in the atmosphere because of human activity. This is resulting in more warming of the [[Earth]]'s surface.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAR Climate Change: Scientific Assessment of Climate Change — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar1/wg1/ |access-date=2022-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1990 |title=Climate Change: The IPCC Scientific Assessment: Policymaker Summary - Executive Summary |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/03/ipcc_far_wg_I_spm.pdf |website=ipcc.ch}}</ref> The report led to the establishment of the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC).<ref name="UCS IPCC Who are they?" /> |
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* The [[IPCC Second Assessment Report|Second Assessment Report]] (SAR), was published in 1995. It strengthened the findings of the First Assessment Report. The evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on the global climate, it said.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1995 |title=Climate Change 1995: Second Assessment Synthesis |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/05/2nd-assessment-en-1.pdf |website=ipcc.ch}}</ref> The Second Assessment Report provided important material for the negotiations leading to the UNFCCC's [[Kyoto Protocol]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Convention on Biological Diversity: Working Relationship Between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |url=https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/cop/cop-11/information/cop-11-inf-14-en.doc}}</ref> |
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* The [[IPCC Third Assessment Report|Third Assessment Report]] (TAR) was completed in 2001. It found more evidence that most of the global warming seen over the previous 50 years was due to human activity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1995 |title=Climate Change 1995: Synthesis Report |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/05/SYR_TAR_full_report.pdf |website=ipcc.ch}}</ref> The report includes a graph reconstructing global temperature since the year 1000. The sharp rise in temperature in recent years gave it the name "[[Hockey stick graph (global temperature)|hockey stick]]". This became a powerful image of how temperature is soaring with climate change. The report also shows how adaptation to the effects of climate change can reduce some of its ill effects. |
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* The IPCC's [[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report|Fourth Assessment Report]] (AR4) was published in 2007. It gives much greater certainty about climate change. It states: "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal..."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis - Summary for Policymakers |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/ar4-wg1-spm-1.pdf |website=ipcc.ch}}</ref> The report helped make people around the world aware of climate change. The IPCC shared the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] in the year of the report's publication for this work (see below). |
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* The [[IPCC Fifth Assessment Report|Fifth Assessment Report]] (AR5) was published in 2013 and 2014. This report again stated the fact of climate change. It warned of the dangerous risks. And it emphasized how the world can counter climate change. Three key findings were for example: Firstly, human influence on the [[climate system]] is clear. Secondly, the more we disrupt our climate, the more we risk severe, pervasive and irreversible [[Effects of climate change|impacts]]. And thirdly, we have the means to limit climate change and build a more prosperous, [[sustainable]] future.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IPCC 5th Assessment Report published |url=https://ieaghg.org/conferences/2-uncategorised/511-ipcc-5th-assessment-report-published |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=ieaghg.org |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110173512/https://ieaghg.org/conferences/2-uncategorised/511-ipcc-5th-assessment-report-published |url-status=dead }}</ref> The report's findings were the scientific foundation of the UNFCCC's 2015 [[Paris Agreement]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=IPCC (AR5) report - the foundation for the Paris Agreement |url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/geosciences/research/impact/ipcc/ar5-report |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=The University of Edinburgh |date=7 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> |
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====Sixth assessment report (2021/2022)==== |
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===Authors=== |
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The IPCC's most recent report is the [[IPCC Sixth Assessment Report|Sixth Assessment Report (AR6)]]. The first three instalments of AR6 appeared in 2021 and 2022. The final synthesis report was completed in March 2023. |
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Each chapter has a number of authors who are responsible for writing and editing the material. A chapter typically has two Coordinating Lead Authors, ten to fifteen Lead Authors, and a somewhat larger number of Contributing Authors. The Coordinating Lead Authors are responsible for assembling the contributions of the other authors, ensuring that they meet stylistic and formatting requirements, and reporting to the Working Group chairs. Lead Authors are responsible for writing sections of chapters. Contributing Authors prepare text, graphs or data for inclusion by the Lead Authors. |
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The IPCC published the Working Group I report, ''Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis'', in August 2021.<ref name=":6" /> It confirms that the climate is already changing in every region. Many of these changes have not been seen in thousands of years. Many of them such as [[Sea level rise|sea-level rise]] are irreversible over hundreds of thousands of years. Strong reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would limit climate change. But it could take 20–30 years for the climate to stabilize.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2021 |title=IPCC Press Release - Working Group I contribution to Sixth Assessment Report |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2021/08/IPCC_WGI-AR6-Press-Release_en.pdf |website=ipcc.ch}}</ref> This report attracted enormous media and public attention. U.N. Secretary-General [[António Guterres]] described it as "code red for humanity".<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2021 |title=IPCC report: 'Code red' for human driven global heating, warns UN chief |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1097362 |website=UN News}}</ref> |
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Authors for the IPCC reports are chosen from a list of researchers prepared by governments, and participating organisations and the Working Group/Task Force Bureaux, and other experts as appropriate, known through their publications and works ({{PDFlink|1=<ref name="ipcc.ch"/>|55.7 [[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 57048 bytes -->}}, 4.2.1,2). The composition of the group of Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors for a section or chapter of a Report is intended to reflect the need to aim for a range of views, expertise and geographical representation (ensuring appropriate representation of experts from developing and developed countries and countries with economies in transition). |
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The IPCC published the Working Group II report, ''Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability'', in February 2022.<ref>IPCC, 2022: ''[https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-ii/ Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability].'' Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, New York, US, 3056 pp., doi:10.1017/9781009325844.</ref> Climate change due to human activities is already affecting the lives of billions of people, it said. It is disrupting nature. The world faces unavoidable hazards over the next two decades even with global warming of 1.5 °C, it said.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press release |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/resources/press/press-release/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=www.ipcc.ch |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Nobel Peace Prize== |
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{{wikisource|Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech}} |
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In December 2007, the IPCC was awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change." The award is shared with Former U.S. Vice-President [[Al Gore]] for his work on climate change and the documentary ''[[An Inconvenient Truth]]''.<ref name="nobelpeaceprize">{{cite web |
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| url = http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2007/ |
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| title = 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates |
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| dateformat = dmy |
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| accessdate = 11 October 2007 |
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}}</ref> |
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The IPCC published the Working Group III report, ''Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change'', in April 2022.<ref>IPCC, 2022'': [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-3/ Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change]. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change'' [P.R. Shukla, J. Skea, R. Slade, A. Al Khourdajie, R. van Diemen, D. McCollum, M. Pathak, S. Some, P. Vyas, R. Fradera, M. Belkacemi, A. Hasija, G. Lisboa, S. Luz, J. Malley, (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, New York, US. doi: 10.1017/9781009157926</ref> It will be impossible to limit warming to 1.5 °C without immediate and deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. It is still possible to halve emissions by 2050, it said.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press release |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/resources/press/press-release/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=www.ipcc.ch |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Criticism of IPCC== |
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===Christopher Landsea resignation=== |
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{{Main|IPCC Fourth Assessment Report}} |
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== Other reports == |
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In January 2005 [[Christopher Landsea]] resigned from work on the [[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report|IPCC AR4]], saying that he viewed the process "as both being motivated by pre-conceived agendas and being scientifically unsound" because of [[Kevin Trenberth]]'s public contention that global warming was contributing to recent hurricane activity.<ref>[http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/science_policy_general/000318chris_landsea_leaves.html Chris Landsea Leaves]</ref> [[Roger A. Pielke, Jr.]] who published Landsea's letter writes: "How anyone can deny that political factors were everpresent in the negotiations isn't paying attention [''sic'']", but notes that the actual report "Despite the pressures, on tropical cyclones they figured out a way to maintain consistency with the actual balance of opinion(s) in the community of relevant experts." He continues "So there might be a human contribution (and presumably this is just to the observed upwards trends observed in some basins, and not to downward trends observed in others, but this is unclear) but the human contribution itself has not been quantitatively assessed, yet the experts, using their judgment, expect it to be there. In plain English this is what is called a 'hypothesis' and not a 'conclusion.' And it is a fair representation of the issue."<ref>[http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/climate_change/001085follow_up_ipcc_and_.html Follow Up: IPCC and Hurricanes]</ref> |
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===Special reports=== |
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===Emphasis of the "hockey stick" graph=== |
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The IPCC also publishes other types of reports. It produces Special Reports on topics proposed by governments or observer organizations. Between 1994 and 2019 the IPCC published 14 special reports. Now usually more than one working group cooperates to produce a special report. The preparation and approval process is the same as for assessment reports.<ref name="Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC Work" /> |
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{{Main|Hockey stick controversy}} |
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==== Special reports in 2011 ==== |
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The [[IPCC Third Assessment Report|third assessment report (TAR)]] prominently featured<ref>{{Cite web |
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During the fifth assessment cycle the IPCC produced two special reports. It completed the Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN) in 2011. Working Group III prepared this report. The report examined options to use different types of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels. The report noted that the cost of most renewables technologies had fallen. It was likely to fall even more with further advances in technology. It said renewables could increase access to energy. The report reviewed 164 scenarios that examine how renewables could help stop climate change. In more than half of these scenarios, renewables would contribute more than 27% of primary energy supply in mid-century. This would be more than double the 13% share in 2008. In the scenarios with the highest shares for renewable energy, it contributes 77% by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/renewable-energy-sources-and-climate-change-mitigation/ |access-date=2022-11-16}}</ref> |
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| title=What is the Hockey Stick Debate About |
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| first1=Ross | last1=McKitrick |
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| author2-link=Ross McKitrick |
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| url=http://www.climatechangeissues.com/files/PDF/conf05mckitrick.pdf |
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| format=PDF |
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}}</ref> a graph labeled "Millennial Northern Hemisphere temperature reconstruction" from a paper by [[Michael E. Mann]], [[Raymond S. Bradley]] and Malcolm K. Hughes (MBH98<ref name=MBH98>{{Cite journal |
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| title=Global-scale temperature patterns and climate forcing over the past six centuries |
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| first1=Michael E. | last1=Mann |
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| first2=Raymond S. | last2=Bradley |
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| first3=Malcolm K. | last3=Hughes |
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| author1-link=Michael E. Mann |
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| author2-link=Raymond S. Bradley |
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| journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |
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| volume=392 | pages=779–787 | year=1998 |
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| url=http://www.caenvirothon.com/Resources/Mann,%20et%20al.%20Global%20scale%20temp%20patterns.pdf |
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| format=PDF |
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| doi=10.1038/33859 |
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}}</ref>) often referred to as the "Hockey Stick Graph". This graph differed from a schematic in the [[MWP and LIA in IPCC reports|first assessment report]] which depicted larger global temperature variations over the past 1000 years, and higher temperatures during the [[Medieval Warm Period]] than the present day. (The schematic was not an actual plot of data.) The appearance of MBH98 in the TAR was widely construed as demonstrating that the current warming period is exceptional in comparison to temperatures between 1000 and 1900. The methodology used to produce this graph was criticized in an article by [[Stephen McIntyre]] and [[Ross McKitrick]].<ref name=MM05a>{{Cite journal |
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| title=Hockey sticks, principal components, and spurious significance |
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| first1=Stephen | last1=McIntyre |
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| first2=Ross | last2=McKitrick |
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| author1-link=Stephen McIntyre |
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| author2-link=Ross McKitrick |
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| journal=[[Geophysical Research Letters]] |
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| volume=32 | year=2005 |
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| url=http://www.climate2003.com/pdfs/2004GL012750.pdf |
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| doi=10.1029/2004GL021750 |
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| format=PDF |
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| pages=L03710 |
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}}</ref> In a 2006 letter to ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'', Bradley, Hughes and Mann pointed out that their original article had said that "more widespread high-resolution data are needed before more confident conclusions can be reached" and that the uncertainties were "the point of the article."<ref>{{Cite journal | url=http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/442627b | title=Authors were clear about hockey-stick uncertainties | first1=Raymond S. | last1=Bradley | first2=Malcolm K. | last2=Hughes | first3=Michael E. | last3=Mann | author1-link=Raymond S. Bradley | author3-link=Michael E. Mann |publisher=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] | volume=442 | issue=7103 | page=627 | year=2006 | doi=10.1038/442627b | journal=Nature }}</ref> |
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Later in 2011 the IPCC released the Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX). This was a collaboration between Working Groups I and II. It was the first time two IPCC working groups worked together on a special report. The report shows how climate change has contributed to changes in extreme weather. And it show how policies to avoid and prepare for extreme weather events can reduce their impact. In the same way policies to respond to events and recover from them can make societies more resilient.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/managing-the-risks-of-extreme-events-and-disasters-to-advance-climate-change-adaptation/ |access-date=2022-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2012 |title=PRESS RELEASE: IPCC releases full report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX) |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/06/srex_press_release.pdf |website=ipcc.ch}}</ref> |
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===Conservative nature of IPCC reports=== |
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Some critics have contended that the IPCC reports tend to underestimate dangers, understate risks, and report only the "lowest common denominator" findings.<ref>[http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19981 Warning on Warming - The New York Review of Books<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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==== Special reports 2018-2019 ==== |
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On February 1, 2007, the eve of the publication of IPCC's major report on climate, a study was published suggesting that temperatures and sea levels have been rising at or above the maximum rates proposed during the last IPCC report in 2001.<ref name = "BBC 1">{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6321351.stm | title=Humans blamed for climate change | date=2007-02-02 | first=Richard | last=Black | publisher=BBC News | accessdate=2007-07-24 }}</ref> The study compared IPCC 2001 projections on temperature and sea level change with observations. Over the six years studied, the actual temperature rise was near the top end of the range given by IPCC's 2001 projection, and the actual sea level rise was above the top of the range of the IPCC projection. |
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During the sixth assessment cycle the IPCC produced three special reports. This made it the most ambitious cycle in IPCC history. The [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|UNFCCC]] set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2 °C while trying to hold it at 1.5 °C, when it reached the [[Paris Agreement]] at [[2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference|COP21]] in 2015. But at the time there was little understanding of what warming of 1.5 °C meant. There was little scientific research explaining how the impacts of 1.5 °C would differ from 2 °C. And there was little understanding about how to keep warming to 1.5 °C. So the UNFCCC invited the IPCC to prepare a report on global warming of 1.5 °C. The IPCC subsequently released the [[Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C]] (SR15) in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Warming of 1.5 °C — |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ |access-date=2022-11-17}}</ref> The report showed that it was possible to keep warming below 1.5 °C during the 21st century. But this would mean deep cuts in emissions. It would also mean rapid, far-reaching changes in all aspects of society.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2018 |title=IPCC Press Release: Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C approved by governments |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/pr_181008_P48_spm_en.pdf |website=ipcc.ch}}</ref> The report showed warming of 2 °C would have much more severe impacts than 1.5 °C. In other words: every bit of warming matters. SR15 had an unprecedented impact for an IPCC report in the media and with the public.<ref name=":4" /> It put the 1.5 °C target at the centre of [[climate activism]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 January 2020 |title=Greta Thunberg tells leaders at Davos to heed global heating science |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/21/greta-thunberg-calls-on-world-leaders-to-heed-global-heating-science-davos}}</ref> |
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In 2019 the IPCC released two more special reports that examine different parts of the climate system. The [[Special Report on Climate Change and Land]] (SRCCL) examined how the way we use land affects the climate. It looked at emissions from activities such as farming and forestry rather than from energy and transport. It also looked at how climate change is affecting land. All three IPCC working groups and its Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories collaborated on the report. The report found that climate change is adding to the pressures we are putting on our land we use to live on and grow our food.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special Report on Climate Change and Land — IPCC site |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/ |access-date=2022-11-17}}</ref> It will only be possible to keep warming well below 2 °C if we reduce emissions from all sectors including land and food, it said.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Land is a Critical Resource, IPCC report says — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/2019/08/08/land-is-a-critical-resource_srccl/ |access-date=2022-11-17}}</ref> |
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An example of scientific research which has indicated that previous estimates by the IPCC, far from overstating dangers and risks, has actually understated them (this may be due, in part, to the expanding human understanding of climate) is a study on projected rises in sea levels. When the researchers' analysis was "applied to the possible scenarios outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the researchers found that in 2100 sea levels would be 0.5–1.4 m above 1990 levels. These values are much greater than the 9–88 cm as projected by the IPCC itself in its Third Assessment Report, published in 2001.<ref name = "BBC 2">{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6179409.stm | title=Sea level rise 'under-estimated' | date=2006-12-14 | publisher=BBC News | accessdate=2007-07-24 }}</ref><ref name = "Telegraph">{{cite web | title=London-on-Sea: the future of a city in decay | date=2006-12-28 | accessdate=2007-07-24 | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/12/27/nlondon27.xml | first=Roger | last=Highfield | publisher=[[Telegraph.co.uk]] }}</ref> |
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The [[Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate]] (SROCC) examined how the ocean and frozen parts of the planet interact with climate change. (The [[cryosphere]] includes frozen systems such as ice sheets, glaciers and permafrost.) IPCC Working Groups I and II prepared the report. The report highlighted the need to tackle unprecedented changes in the ocean and cryosphere.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate — |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/ |access-date=2022-11-17}}</ref> It also showed how [[Climate change adaptation|adaptation]] could help [[sustainable development]]. |
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In reporting criticism by some scientists that IPCC's then-impending January 2007 report understates certain risks, particularly sea level rises, an AP story quoted Stefan Ramstorf, professor of physics and oceanography at Potsdam University as saying: |
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The IPCC will prepare a special report on climate change and cities during the seventh assessment cycle. |
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{{quotation|In a way, it is one of the strengths of the IPCC to be very conservative and cautious and not overstate any climate change risk|[[Stefan Rahmstorf]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Climate change: The scientific basis | date=2007-02-05 | accessdate=2007-07-24 | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070129/ipcc_faq_070129/20070129?hub=SciTech | publisher=[[CTV Television Network]] }}</ref> }} |
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===Methodology Reports=== |
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In his December 2006 book, ''[[Hell and High Water: Global Warming]]'', and in an interview on [[Fox News]] on January 31, 2007, energy expert [[Joseph Romm]] noted that the [[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report]] is already out of date and omits recent observations and factors contributing to global warming, such as the release of greenhouse gases from thawing tundra.<ref>[http://climateprogress.org/2007/02/01/climate-progress-on-fox-news/ Fox interview]</ref> |
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The IPCC has a National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme. It develops methodologies and software for countries to report their [[greenhouse gas]] emissions. The IPCC's Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) has managed the program since 1998.<ref name=":5" /> Japan's Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) |url=https://www.iges.or.jp/en |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=IGES |language=en}}</ref> hosts the TFI's Technical Support Unit. |
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The IPCC approves its methodology reports at sessions of the Panel. The Panel adopts the Methodology Report's Overview Chapter by endorsing it section by section. |
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Political influence on the IPCC has been documented by the release of a memo by ExxonMobil to the Bush administration, and its effects on the IPCC's leadership. The memo led to strong Bush administration lobbying, evidently at the behest of ExxonMobil, to oust [[Robert Watson (scientist)|Robert Watson]], a climate scientist, from the IPCC chairmanship, and to have him replaced by Pachauri, who was seen at the time as more mild-mannered and industry-friendly.<ref name = "New Scientist">{{cite web | title=Top climate scientist ousted | date=2002-04-19 | publisher=[[New Scientist]] | first=Fred | last=Pearce | url=http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2191 | accessdate=2007-07-24 }}</ref><ref name = "Common Dreams">{{cite web | title=US and Oil Lobby Oust Climate Change Scientist | date=2002-04-20 | accessdate=2007-07-24 | first=Julian | last=Borger | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/bush/story/0,7369,687650,00.html | publisher=Guardian }}</ref> |
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===IPCC |
==== Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines ==== |
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The IPCC released its first Methodology Report, the IPCC ''Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories'', in 1994. The ''Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories'' updated this report.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/revised-1996-ipcc-guidelines-for-national-greenhouse-gas-inventories/ |access-date=2022-11-17}}</ref> Two "good practice reports" complete these guidelines. These are the ''Good Practice Guidance'' ''and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories'' and ''Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry''. Parties to the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|UNFCCC]] and its [[Kyoto Protocol]] use the 1996 guidelines and two good practice reports for their annual submissions of inventories. |
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==== 2006 IPCC Guidelines ==== |
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In 2005, the UK [[House of Lords]] [[Select Committee (Westminster System)|Select Committee]] on Economic Affairs produced a report on the economics of climate change. It commented on the IPCC process: |
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The ''2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories'' further update these methodologies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/2006-ipcc-guidelines-for-national-greenhouse-gas-inventories/ |access-date=2022-11-17}}</ref> They include a large number of "default emission factors". These are factors to estimate the amount of emissions for an activity. The IPCC prepared this new version of the guidelines at the request of the UNFCCC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reporting requirements |url=https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/transparency-and-reporting/reporting-and-review-under-the-convention/greenhouse-gas-inventories-annex-i-parties/reporting-requirements |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=unfccc.int}}</ref> The UNFCCC accepted them for use at its [[2013 United Nations Climate Change Conference|2013 Climate Change Conference]], COP19, in Warsaw. The IPCC added further material in its ''2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/2019-refinement-to-the-2006-ipcc-guidelines-for-national-greenhouse-gas-inventories/ |access-date=2022-11-17}}</ref> |
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The TFI has started preparations for a methodology report on short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs).<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 September 2022 |title=PROGRESS REPORTS: Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories |url=https://apps.ipcc.ch/eventmanager/documents/75/140920220535-INF.%205,%20Rev.1%20%20Progress%20Report%20TFI.pdf |website=ipcc.ch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Short-Lived Climate Pollutants |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange/brief/short-lived-climate-pollutants |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=World Bank |language=en}}</ref> It will complete this report in the next assessment cycle, the seventh. |
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{{quotation|We have some concerns about the objectivity of the IPCC process, with some of its emissions scenarios and summary documentation apparently influenced by political considerations. There are significant doubts about some aspects of the IPCC's emissions scenario exercise, in particular, the high emissions scenarios. The Government should press the IPCC to change their approach. There are some positive aspects to global warming and these appear to have been played down in the IPCC reports; the Government should press the IPCC to reflect in a more balanced way the costs and benefits of climate change. The Government should press the IPCC for better estimates of the monetary costs of global warming damage and for explicit monetary comparisons between the costs of measures to control warming and their benefits. Since warming will continue, regardless of action now, due to the lengthy time lags.|[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldeconaf/12/12i.pdf ''The Economics of Climate Change'']<small>[[Portable Document Format|PDF]]</small>}} |
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== Challenges and controversies == |
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Interestingly, the [[Stern Review]] ordered by the UK government, whose findings were released in October 2006, made a stronger argument in favor of urgent action to combat human-made climate change than previous analyses, including some by IPCC. The conclusions of the Stern Review have been contested, however.<ref>See [[Stern Review|main article on Stern Review]]</ref> |
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IPCC reports also attract criticism. Criticisms come from both people who say the reports exaggerate the risks and people who say they understate them.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Scherer |first=Glenn |date=2012-12-06 |title=Climate Science Predictions Prove Too Conservative |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-science-predictions-prove-too-conservative/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}</ref> The IPCC consensus approach has faced internal and external challenges.<ref name="ess">[https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-011-0176-8/fulltext.html#Sec7 Evaluation, characterization, and communication of uncertainty by the intergovernmental panel on climate change—an introductory essay. Climatic Change An Interdisciplinary, International Journal Devoted to the Description, Causes and Implications of Climatic Change, Gary Yohe and Michael Oppenheimer] 2011</ref><ref name="MO">{{cite journal |last1=Oppenheimer |first1=Michael |author1-link=Michael Oppenheimer |last2=O'Neill |first2=Brian C. |last3=Webster |first3=Mort |last4=Agrawal |first4=Shardul |year=2007 |title=Climate Change, The Limits of Consensus |journal=[[Science (magazine)|Science]] |volume=317 |issue=5844 |pages=1505–1506 |doi=10.1126/science.1144831 |pmid=17872430 |s2cid=129837694}}</ref> |
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===Conservative nature of IPCC reports=== |
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The structural elements of the IPCC processes have been criticized in other ways, with the design of the processes during the formation of the IPCC making its reports prone not to exaggerations, but to |
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Some critics have argued that IPCC reports tend to be too conservative in their assessments of climate risk. In 2012, it was reported that the IPCC has been criticized by some scientists, who argue that the reports consistently underestimate the pace and impacts of global warming.<ref name=":2" /> As a result, they believe this leads to findings that are the "lowest common denominator".<ref>{{cite journal|last=McKibben|first=Bill |date=15 March 2007 |title=Warning on Warming|journal=The New York Review of Books|volume=54|issue=4|page=18|url=http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19981|access-date=21 February 2010|bibcode=2004Natur.427..197S|doi=10.1038/427197a|doi-access=free}}</ref> {{Clarify|reason=The use of phrase "lowest common denominator" is somewhat ambiguous|date=April 2023}} Similar claims have also been made by scientists who found that for the last several assessment reports, the focus of the IPCC reports skewed more and more towards lower temperatures, especially 1.5°C.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jehn |first1=Florian U. |last2=Kemp |first2=Luke |last3=Ilin |first3=Ekaterina |last4=Funk |first4=Christoph |last5=Wang |first5=Jason R. |last6=Breuer |first6=Lutz |title=Focus of the IPCC Assessment Reports Has Shifted to Lower Temperatures |journal=Earth's Future |date=May 2022 |volume=10 |issue=5 |doi=10.1029/2022EF002876}}</ref> Temperatures above 2°C however, have seen much less attention, even though they seem more likely given current emission trajectories.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jehn |first1=Florian U |last2=Schneider |first2=Marie |last3=Wang |first3=Jason R |last4=Kemp |first4=Luke |last5=Breuer |first5=Lutz |title=Betting on the best case: higher end warming is underrepresented in research |journal=Environmental Research Letters |date=1 August 2021 |volume=16 |issue=8 |pages=084036 |doi=10.1088/1748-9326/ac13ef}}</ref> |
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underestimating dangers, under-stating risks, and reporting only the |
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"least common denominator" findings which by design make it through |
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the bureaucracy. As noted by Spencer Weart, Director of the Center for History of Physics at the American Institute of Physics, |
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David Biello, writing in the [[Scientific American]], argues that, because of the need to secure consensus among governmental representatives, the IPCC reports give conservative estimates of the likely extent and effects of global warming.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Biello D |date=April 2007 |title=Conservative Climate |journal=Scientific American |volume=296 |issue=4 |pages=16–19 |bibcode=2007SciAm.296d..16B |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0407-16 |pmid=17479619}}</ref> ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'' editor Brooks Hanson states in a 2010 editorial: "The IPCC reports have underestimated the pace of climate change while overestimating societies' abilities to curb greenhouse gas emissions."<ref name="AAAS">{{cite journal |last=Hanson |first=Brooks |date=7 May 2010 |title=Stepping Back; Moving Forward |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |volume=328 |issue=5979 |pages=667 |bibcode=2010Sci...328..667H |doi=10.1126/science.1190790 |pmid=20448154 |doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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{{quotation|The Reagan administration wanted to forestall |
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pronouncements by self-appointed committees of scientists, fearing |
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they would be 'alarmist.' Conservatives promoted the IPCC's clumsy |
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structure, which consisted of representatives appointed by every |
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government in the world and required to consult all the thousands of |
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experts in repeated rounds of report-drafting in order to reach a |
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consensus. Despite these impediments the IPCC has issued unequivocal |
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statements on the urgent need to |
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act.|<ref>[http://www.hnn.us/articles/30148.html Global Warming: How History Is Being Manipulated to Undermine Calls for Action<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>}} |
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Climate scientist [[James E. Hansen]] argues that the IPCC's conservativeness seriously underestimates the risk of [[Sea level rise|sea-level rise]] on the order of meters—enough to inundate many low-lying areas, such as the southern third of Florida.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Hansen JE |date=April–June 2007 |title=Scientific reticence and sea level rise |journal=Environmental Research Letters |volume=2 |issue=2 |page=024002 |arxiv=physics/0703220 |bibcode=2007ERL.....2b4002H |doi=10.1088/1748-9326/2/2/024002 |s2cid=59929933}}</ref> In January 2024, he told the Guardian, "We are now in the process of moving into the 1.5C world." He added that "passing through the 1.5C world is a significant milestone because it shows that the story being told by the United Nations, with the acquiescence of its scientific advisory body, the IPCC, is a load of bullshit."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/08/global-temperature-over-1-5-c-climate-change Global heating will pass 1.5C threshold this year, top ex-Nasa scientist says], Guardian, 8 January 2023</ref> |
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===Outdatedness of reports=== |
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[[Roger A. Pielke|Roger A. Pielke Sr.]] has also stated "Humans are significantly altering the global climate, but in a variety of diverse ways beyond the radiative effect of carbon dioxide. The IPCC assessments have been too conservative in recognizing the importance of these human climate forcings as they alter regional and global climate."<ref>{{cite web |title=Climate Science: Main Conclusions |url=http://climatesci.org/main-conclusions/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211205600/http://climatesci.org/main-conclusions/ |archive-date=11 December 2008 |access-date=11 December 2008}}</ref> |
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Since the IPCC does not carry out its own research, it operates on the basis of scientific papers and independently documented results from other scientific bodies, and its schedule for producing reports requires a deadline for submissions prior to the report's final release. In principle, this means that any significant new evidence or events that change our understanding of climate science between this deadline and publication of an IPCC report cannot be included. In an area of science where our scientific understanding is rapidly changing, this has been raised as a serious shortcoming in a body which is widely regarded as the ultimate authority on the science.<ref>[http://www.carbonequity.info/PDFs/Arctic.pdf Example of concerns over outdatedness of IPCC reports, see p.3]</ref> However, there has generally been a steady evolution of key findings and levels of scientific confidence from one assessment report to the next.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
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[[Stefan Rahmstorf]], a professor of physics and oceanography at [[University of Potsdam]], argued in 2007 that the IPCC's tendency to make conservative risk assessments had benefits. Rahmstorf argued that "In a way, it is one of the strengths of the IPCC to be very conservative and cautious and not overstate any climate change risk".<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate change: The scientific basis |date=5 February 2007 |access-date=24 July 2007 |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070129/ipcc_faq_070129/20070129?hub=SciTech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205051907/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070129/ipcc_faq_070129/20070129?hub=SciTech |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2007 |publisher=[[CTV Television Network]]}}</ref> IPCC reports aim to inform policymakers about the state of knowledge on climate change. They do this by assessing the findings of the thousands of scientific papers available on the subject at a given time. Individual publications may have different conclusions to IPCC reports. This includes those appearing just after the release of an IPCC report. This can lead to criticism that the IPCC is either alarmist or conservative. New findings must wait for the next assessment for consideration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New climate report actually understates threat, some researchers argue |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/new-climate-report-actually-understates-threat-some-researchers-argue |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=www.science.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How the IPCC is more likely to underestimate the climate response |url=https://skepticalscience.com/print.php?r=51 |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=skepticalscience.com}}</ref> |
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The submission deadlines for the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) differed for the reports of each Working Group. Deadlines for the Working Group I report were adjusted during the drafting and review process in order to ensure that reviewers had access to unpublished material being cited by the authors. The final deadline for cited publications was July 24, 2006.<ref>[http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/docs/PublicationDeadlines_2006-07-01.pdf Guidelines for inclusion of recent scientific literature in the Working Group I Fourth Assessment Report.]</ref> The final WG I report was released on April 30, 2007 and the final AR4 Synthesis Report was released on November 17, 2007. |
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=== Potential industry and political influence === |
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Rajendra Pachauri, the IPCC chair, admitted at the launch of this report that since the IPCC began work on it, scientists have recorded "much stronger trends in climate change", like the unforeseen dramatic melting of polar ice in the summer of 2007,<ref>[http://www.carbonequity.info/docs/arctic.html Carbon Equity report on the Arctic summer of 2007]</ref> and added, "that means you better start with intervention much earlier".<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/18/europe/climate.php Pachauri comments on worsening climate trends]</ref> |
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A memo by [[ExxonMobil]] to the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] in the United States in 2002 was an example of possible political influence on the IPCC. The memo led to strong Bush administration lobbying to oust [[Robert Watson (scientist)|Robert Watson]], a climate scientist, as IPCC chair. They sought to replace him with [[Rajendra K. Pachauri|Rajendra Pachauri]]. Many considered Pachauri at the time as more mild-mannered and industry-friendly.<ref name = "Common Dreams">{{cite news | title=US and Oil Lobby Oust Climate Change Scientist | date=20 April 2002 | access-date=24 July 2007 | first=Julian | last=Borger | url=https://www.theguardian.com/bush/story/0,7369,687650,00.html | newspaper=Guardian | location=London}}</ref> |
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Governments form the membership of the IPCC. They are the prime audience for IPCC reports. IPCC rules give them a formal role in the scoping, preparation and approval of reports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preparing Reports — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/about/preparingreports/ |access-date=2022-10-28}}</ref> For instance governments take part in the review process and work with authors to approve the Summary for Policymakers of reports. But some activists have argued that governments abuse this role to influence the outcome of reports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leaks show attempts to water down UN climate report – DW – 10/21/2021 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/leaks-show-attempts-to-water-down-un-climate-report-greenpeace-says/a-59570391 |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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===Burden on participating scientists=== |
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Scientists who participate in the IPCC assessment process do so without any compensation other than the normal salaries they receive from their home institutions. The process is labor intensive, diverting time and resources from participating scientists' research programs.<ref>{{Cite book | title=Analysis of Global Change Assessments: Lessons Learned | author1=Committee on Analysis of Global Change Assessments| author2=Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate | author3=Division of Earth and Life Sciences | access-date=2007-07-24 | year=2007 | publisher=[[National Academies Press]] | url=http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11868.html#toc | isbn=0309104858}}</ref> Concerns have been raised that the large uncompensated time commitment and disruption to their own research may discourage qualified scientists from participating.<ref>{{Cite book | title=Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions | url=http://www.nap.edu/html/climatechange/index.html| publisher=[[National Academies Press]] | date= | isbn=0-309-07574-2 | first1=Ralph J. | last1=Cicerone | first2=Eric J. | last2=Barton | first3=Robert E. | last3=Dickinson | first4=Inez Y. | last4=Fung | first5=James E. | last5=Hansen | first6=Thomas R. | last6=Karl | first7=Richard S. | last7=Lindzen | first8=James C. | last8=McWilliams | first9=F. Sherwood | last9=Rowland | author1-link=Ralph J. Cicerone | author5-link=James Hansen | author6-link=Richard Lindzen | accessdate=2007-07-24 | contribution=Assessing Progress in Climate Science | contribution-url=http://www.nap.edu/html/climatechange/7.html | year=2001 | author=Committee on the Science of Climate Change, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council.}}</ref> |
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In 2023, it was reported that pressure from [[Brazil]] and [[Argentina]], two countries with large beef industries, caused the IPCC to abandon text recommending the adoption of plant-based diets. An earlier draft of the report, which noted "plant-based diets can reduce GHG emissions by up to 50% compared to the average emission-intensive Western diet", was leaked online in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Almendral |first=Aurora |date=2023-03-24 |title=The meat industry blocked the IPCC's attempt to recommend a plant-based diet |url=https://qz.com/ipcc-report-on-climate-change-meat-industry-1850261179 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Quartz |language=en}}</ref> |
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=== Projected date of disappearance of the Himalayan Glaciers: 2035 or 2350? === |
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=== Controversy and review after Fourth Assessment Report in 2007 === |
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The IPCC [[AR4]] WGII report has been criticized for using a non-peer-reviewed {{cn}} report by the [[World Wildlife Fund]] as a source for ''Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world (see Table 10.9) and, if the present rate continues, the likelihood of them disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high if the Earth keeps warming at the current rate. Its total area will likely shrink from the present 500,000 to 100,000 km2 by the year 2035'' [http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg2/en/ch10.html]. This is a correct source for the date, but the WWF's has misquoted its own source, a report by the Working Group on Himalayan Glaciology (WGHG) of the International Commission for Snow and Ice (ICSI) [http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0010/001065/106523E.pdf], which used similar text but with a date of 2350. |
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The IPCC came under unprecedented media scrutiny in 2009 in the run-up to the [[2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference|Copenhagen climate conference]]. This "[[Climatic Research Unit email controversy]]" involved the leak of emails from climate scientists. Many of these scientists were authors of the [[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report|Fourth Assessment Report]] which came out in 2007. The discovery of an error in this report that the Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035 put the IPCC under further pressure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearce |first=Fred |date=21 January 2010 |title=Climate chief admits error over Himalayan glaciers |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18420-climate-chief-admits-error-over-himalayan-glaciers/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=New Scientist |language=en-US}}</ref> Scientific bodies upheld the general findings of the Fourth Assessment Report and the IPCC's approach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ICSU |date=2011-01-27 |title=ICSU releases statement on the controversy around the 4th IPCC Assessment |url=https://council.science/current/news/icsu-releases-statement-on-the-controversy-around-the-4th-ipcc-assessment/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=International Science Council |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PBL |date=2010-07-06 |title=Assessing an IPCC assessment. An analysis of statements on projected regional impacts in the 2007 report |url=https://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/Assessing-an-IPCC-assessment.-An-analysis-of-statements-on-projected-regional-impacts-in-the-2007-report |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency |language=en}}</ref> But many people thought the IPCC should review the way it works.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Black |first=Richard |date=10 March 2010 |title=Scientists to review climate body |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8561004.stm |access-date=4 April 2010}}</ref> |
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==== InterAcademy Council review in 2010 ==== |
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The IPCC's assessment of melting [[Himalayan]] [[glaciers]] has also been criticized as being "horribly wrong" by John Shroder, a Himalayan glacier specialist at the [[University of Nebraska]]. According to Shroder, the IPCC jumped to conclusions based on insufficient data. Donald Alford, a [[hydrologist]], said that his water study for the [[World Bank]] demonstrated that the [[Ganges River]] only gets 3-4% of its [[Meltwater|water from glacial sources]] - casting doubt on the claim that the river would dry up since its primary source of water comes from rainfall. <ref>http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/326/5955/924</ref> Dr. [[Michael Zemp]] <ref>http://www.geo.uzh.ch/en/units/physical-geography-3g/about-us/staff/michael-zemp/</ref>, from the [[World Glacier Monitoring Service]], has stated that the IPCC has caused "major confusion" on the subject, that, under IPCC rules they should not have published their statements, and that he knows of no scientific references that would have confirmed their claims.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8387737.stm</ref> |
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Public debate after the publication of AR4 in 2009 put the IPCC under scrutiny, with controversies over alleged bias and inaccuracy in its reports. In 2010, this prompted U.N. Secretary-General [[Ban Ki-moon]] and IPCC chair [[Rajendra K. Pachauri]] to request that the [[InterAcademy Panel|InterAcademy Council]] (IAC) review the IPCC and recommend ways to strengthen its processes and procedures for the preparation of AR5. The IAC report made recommendations to fortify IPCC's management structure, to further develop its conflict-of-interest policy, to strengthen the review process, to clarify the guidelines on the use of so-called [[Grey literature|gray literature]], to ensure consistency in the use of probabilities for the likelihood of outcomes, and to improve its communications strategy especially regarding transparency and rapidity of response.<ref>{{cite web |title=InterAcademy Council Report Recommends Fundamental Reform of IPCC Management Structure |url=http://reviewipcc.interacademycouncil.net/ReportNewsRelease.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806073912/http://reviewipcc.interacademycouncil.net/ReportNewsRelease.html |archive-date=2013-08-06 |access-date=30 August 2013 |publisher=InterAcademy Council}}</ref> |
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The United Nations Secretary-General and the Chair of the IPCC asked the InterAcademy Council (IAC) in March 2010 to review the IPCC's processes for preparing its reports.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="IAC report">{{Cite web|url=https://www.interacademies.org/news/interacademy-council-report-recommends-fundamental-reform-ipcc-management-structure|title=InterAcademy Council Report Recommends Fundamental Reform of IPCC Management Structure|first=the InterAcademy|last=Partnership (IAP)|website=www.interacademies.org|date=30 August 2011 }}</ref> The IAC panel, chaired by [[Harold Tafler Shapiro]], released its report on 1 September 2010.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Tollefson |first=J. |year=2010 |title=Climate panel must adapt to survive |journal=Nature |volume=467 |issue=7311 |page=14 |doi=10.1038/467014a |pmid=20811426 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The IAC panel made seven formal recommendations for improving the IPCC's assessment process. The IPCC implemented most of the review's recommendations by 2012. One of these was the introduction of a protocol to handle errors in reports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Procedures — IPCC |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/documentation/procedures/ |access-date=2022-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/09/ipcc_error_protocol_en.pdf|title=IPCC Error Protocol}}</ref> Other recommendations included strengthening the science-review process and improving communications. But the IPCC did not adopt the proposal to appoint a full-time executive secretary.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |title=REVIEW OF IPCC PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES |url=https://archive.ipcc.ch/organization/organization_review.shtml |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=archive.ipcc.ch}}</ref> |
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==Praise for IPCC== |
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=== Issues with consensual approach === |
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Various scientific bodies have issued official statements praising the IPCC and endorsing their findings. |
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[[Michael Oppenheimer]], a long-time participant in the IPCC, has said the IPCC consensus approach has some limitations. Oppenheimer, a coordinating lead author of the [[IPCC Fifth Assessment Report|Fifth Assessment Report]], called for concurring, smaller assessments of special problems instead of the large-scale approach of previous IPCC assessments.<ref name="MO" /> Others see "mixed blessings" in the drive for consensus within the IPCC. They suggest including dissenting or minority positions.<ref name=hu>[http://www.csap.cam.ac.uk/media/uploads/files/1/fdsaw.pdf Lessons from the IPCC: do scientific assessments need to be consensual to be authoritative?] [[Mike Hulme]], in (eds.) Doubelday, R. and Willesden, J. March 2013, pp, 142 ff</ref> Others suggest improving statements about uncertainties.<ref name=nocon>[http://judithcurry.com/2013/04/22/do-scientific-assessments-need-to-be-consensual-to-be-authoritative/ Do scientific assessments need to be consensual to be authoritative?] Curry, JA and PJ Webster, 2012: Climate change: no consensus on consensus. CAB Reviews, in press, 2012</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.nature.com/news/2010/101101/full/news.2010.577.html | title=Climate heretic: Judith Curry turns on her colleagues | journal=Nature | date=1 November 2010 | access-date=22 December 2010| doi=10.1038/news.2010.577 | last1=Lemonick | first1=Michael D. }}</ref> |
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*Joint [[national academy|science academies]]' statement-2001 |
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=== Criticism by experts involved with the IPCC process === |
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:The work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) represents the [[consensus]] of the international [[scientific community]] on climate change science. We recognise IPCC as the world's most reliable source of information on climate change and its causes, and we endorse its method of achieving this consensus.<ref>[http://www.royalsociety.org/displaypagedoc.asp?id=13619 The Science of Climate Change] from ''www.royalsociety.org''</ref> |
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Some of the criticism has originated from experts invited by the IPCC to submit reports or serve on its panels. For example, [[John Christy]], a contributing author who works at the [[University of Alabama in Huntsville]], explained in 2007 the difficulties of establishing scientific consensus on the precise extent of human action on climate change. "Contributing authors essentially are asked to contribute a little text at the beginning and to review the first two drafts. We have no control over editing decisions. Even less influence is granted the 2,000 or so reviewers. Thus, to say that 800 contributing authors or 2,000 reviewers reached consensus on anything describes a situation that is not reality", he wrote.<ref name="Christy-2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.nsstc.uah.edu/atmos/christy/ChristyJR_07EC_subEAQ_written.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128074622/http://www.nsstc.uah.edu/atmos/christy/ChristyJR_07EC_subEAQ_written.pdf |archive-date=2007-11-28|title=Written testimony of John R. Christy Ph.D. before House Committee on Energy and Commerce on March 7, 2007|access-date=29 December 2008}}</ref> [[Christopher Landsea]], a hurricane researcher, said of "the part of the IPCC to which my expertise is relevant" that "I personally cannot in good faith continue to contribute to a process that I view as both being motivated by pre-conceived agendas and being scientifically unsound,"<ref>{{cite web |title=An Open Letter to the Community from Chris Landsea |url=http://www.lavoisier.com.au/papers/articles/landsea.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218131946/http://www.lavoisier.com.au/papers/articles/landsea.html |archive-date=18 February 2007 |access-date=28 April 2007}}</ref> because of comments made at a press conference by [[Kevin Trenberth]] of which Landsea disapproved. Trenberth said "Landsea's comments were not correct";<ref name="Colorodo.edu-Hurricanes-Prometheus">{{cite web |date=14 February 2007 |title=Prometheus: Final Chapter, Hurricanes and IPCC, Book IV Archives |url=http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/climate_change/001105final_chapter_hurri.html |access-date=29 August 2010 |publisher=Sciencepolicy.colorado.edu}}</ref> the IPCC replied "individual scientists can do what they wish in their own rights, as long as they are not saying anything on behalf of the IPCC".<ref>{{cite news |date=21 October 2004 |title=Hurricanes and Global Warming for IPCC |agency=Reuters |location=Washington |url=http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/ipcc-correspondence.pdf |access-date=30 December 2008}}</ref> |
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== Endorsements and awards == |
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*[[Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences]] |
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=== Endorsements from scientific bodies === |
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:We concur with the climate science assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2001 ... We endorse the conclusions of the IPCC assessment...<ref>[http://www.cfcas.org/LettertoPM19apr06e.pdf CFCAS Letter to PM, November 25, 2005]</ref> |
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IPCC reports are the benchmark for [[Climate Science|climate science]].<ref>{{Citation |last1=Paglia |first1=Eric |title=The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Guardian of Climate Science |date=2021 |work=Guardians of Public Value |pages=295–321 |editor-last=Boin |editor-first=Arjen |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-51701-4_12 |isbn=978-3-030-51700-7 |last2=Parker |first2=Charles |s2cid=228892648 |editor2-last=Fahy |editor2-first=Lauren A. |editor3-last='t Hart |editor3-first=Paul|doi-access=free }}</ref> There is widespread support for the IPCC in the [[scientific community]]. Publications by other scientific bodies and experts show this.<ref>* {{cite web |title=Scientists Send Letter to Congress and Federal Agencies Supporting IPCC |url=http://www.agu.org/sci_pol/events/2010-03-12_ScientistsLetter_Congress.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024142639/http://www.agu.org/sci_pol/events/2010-03-12_ScientistsLetter_Congress.shtml |archive-date=24 October 2011 |access-date=28 March 2011 |publisher=American Geophysical Union}} |
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* {{cite web |author=Yohe, G.W. |display-authors=etal |title=An Open Letter from Scientists in the United States on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Errors Contained in the Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007 |url=http://www.openletterfromscientists.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315155535/http://www.openletterfromscientists.com/ |archive-date=15 March 2010}}. Note: According to Yohe ''et al.'' (2010), more than 250 scientists have signed the statement. |
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</ref><ref name="2001 science academies statement">{{citation |others=Joint statement by 16 national science academies |title=The Science of Climate Change |date=17 May 2001 |url=http://royalsociety.org/uploadedFiles/Royal_Society_Content/policy/publications/2001/10029.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419074652/https://royalsociety.org/~/media/Royal_Society_Content/policy/publications/2001/10029.pdf |location=London |publisher=Royal Society |isbn=978-0854035588 |archive-date=19 April 2015}}</ref> Many scientific bodies have issued official statements that endorse the findings of the IPCC. For example: |
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* For the [[Third Assessment Report]] in 2001 endorsements came from the [[Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences]],<ref name="cfcas tar endorsement">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cfcas.org/LettertoPM19apr06e.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821222002/http://www.cfcas.org/LettertoPM19apr06e.pdf|url-status=dead|title=CFCAS Letter to PM, November 25, 2005|archive-date=21 August 2010|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> [[United States National Research Council]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10139/climate-change-science-an-analysis-of-some-key-questions |title=Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions |date=2001 |publisher=National Academies Press |isbn=978-0-309-07574-9 |location=Washington, D.C. |chapter=Summary |doi=10.17226/10139 |chapter-url=https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/10139/chapter/2}}</ref> and [[European Geosciences Union]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cdn.egu.eu/media/filer_public/10/78/10784a01-d4e6-4093-9c8f-8de0ffc3d13b/climate_change.pdf|title=European Geosciences Union (EGU): Position Statements|access-date=1 November 2022|archive-date=10 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610033148/https://cdn.egu.eu/media/filer_public/10/78/10784a01-d4e6-4093-9c8f-8de0ffc3d13b/climate_change.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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* For the [[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report|Fourth Assessment Report]] in 2007 endorsements came from the [[International Council for Science]] (ICSU),<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2011-01-27 |title=ICSU releases statement on the controversy around the 4th IPCC Assessment |url=https://council.science/current/news/icsu-releases-statement-on-the-controversy-around-the-4th-ipcc-assessment/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=International Science Council |language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Network of African Science Academies]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |year=2007 |title=Joint statement by the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) |url=http://www.interacademies.net/Object.File/Master/4/825/NASAC%20G8%20statement%2007%20-%20low%20res.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910214452/http://www.interacademies.net/Object.File/Master/4/825/NASAC%20G8%20statement%2007%20-%20low%20res.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2008 |access-date=29 March 2008 |publisher=[[Network of African Science Academies]]}}</ref> |
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=== Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 === |
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*[[Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society]] |
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{{main|2007 Nobel Peace Prize}} |
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{{wikisource|Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech}} |
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In December 2007, the IPCC received the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change". It shared the award with former U.S. Vice-president [[Al Gore]] for his work on climate change and the documentary ''[[An Inconvenient Truth]]''.<ref name="nobelpeaceprize">{{cite web |title=2007 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2007/ |access-date=11 October 2007}}</ref> |
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:CMOS endorses the process of periodic climate science assessment carried out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and supports the conclusion, in its [[Third Assessment Report]], which states that the balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate.<ref>[http://www.cmos.ca/climatechangepole.html CMOS Position Statement on Global Warming]</ref> |
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===Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity in 2022=== |
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*[[European Geosciences Union]] |
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In October 2022, the IPCC and [[IPBES]] shared the [[Gulbenkian Prize|Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity]]. The two intergovernmental bodies won the prize because they "produce scientific knowledge, alert society, and inform decision-makers to make better choices for combatting climate change and the loss of biodiversity".<ref name="GulbenkianPrize">{{cite web |title=2022 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity distinguishes IPBES and IPCC |date=13 October 2022 |url=https://gulbenkian.pt/en/news/2022-gulbenkian-prize-for-humanity-distinguishes-ipbes-and-ipcc/ |access-date=13 October 2022}}</ref> |
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:The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change...is the main representative of the global scientific community....IPCC third assessment report...represents the state-of-the-art of climate science supported by the major science academies around the world and by the vast majority of scientific researchers and investigations as documented by the peer-reviewed scientific literature.<ref name='EGU'> {{cite web|url=http://www.egu.eu/fileadmin/files/egustatement.pdf |title=Position Statement on Climate Change and Recent Letters from the Chairman of the U.S. Hous of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce |accessdate=2009-05-16 |last=European Geosciences Union Divisions of Atmospheric and Climate Sciences |date=2005-07-07 |format=PDF }}</ref> |
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== See also == |
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*[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (US) |
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{{portal|border=no|Environment|Politics|Renewable energy|Global warming|World}} |
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:Internationally, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)... is the most senior and authoritative body providing scientific advice to global policy makers.<ref>[http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html#intro NOAA Global Warming FAQs]</ref> |
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* {{Annotated link |Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services}} |
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* {{Annotated link |United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change}} |
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{{Clear}} |
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== References == |
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*[[United States National Research Council|National Research Council (US)]] |
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{{Reflist}} |
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:The IPCC's conclusion that most of the observed warming of the last 50 years is likely to have been due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations accurately reflects the current thinking of the scientific community on this issue.<ref>{{cite book|others=Committee on the Science of Climate Change, National Research Council|title=Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions|publisher=The National Academies Press|date=2001|pages=3|url=http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10139&page=3|accessdate=2009-09-17}}</ref> |
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*[[Network of African Science Academies]] |
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:The IPCC should be congratulated for the contribution it has made to public understanding of the nexus that exists between energy, climate and sustainability.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web | url=http://www.interacademies.net/Object.File/Master/4/825/NASAC%20G8%20statement%2007%20-%20low%20res.pdf | title=Joint statement by the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) | year=2007 | accessdate=2008-03-29 | publisher=[[Network of African Science Academies]] |format=PDF}}</ref> |
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*[[Royal Meteorological Society]] |
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:In response to the release of the [[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report|Fourth Assessment Report]], the Royal Meteorological Society referred to the IPCC as “The world's best climate scientists”.<ref>[http://www.rmets.org/news/detail.php?ID=332 Royal Meteorological Society's statement on the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report.]</ref> |
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*Stratigraphy Commission of the [[Geological Society of London]] |
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:The most authoritative assessment of climate change in the near future is provided by the Inter-Governmental Panel for Climate Change.<ref>[http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsl/null/lang/en/page1022.html Global warming: a perspective from earth history]</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{portal|Environment}} |
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{{portal|Energy}} |
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* [[Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change]], a 2005 international conference |
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* [[Global warming]] |
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* [[Scientific opinion on climate change]] |
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* [[List of scientists opposing the mainstream scientific assessment of global warming]] |
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* [[List of authors from Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis]] |
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* [[G8+5]], a group of leaders consisting of the heads of government from the G8 nations |
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* [[Summary for policymakers]] <!-- which needs to be merged into here --> |
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* [[Post-Kyoto Protocol negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions]] |
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* [[Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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==Further reading== |
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*{{cite journal |
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|date=August, 1998 |
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|title=Context and Early Origins of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
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|author=Agrawala, S. |
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|journal=Climatic Change |
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|volume=39 |
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|issue=4 |
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|pages=605–620 |
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|doi=10.1023/A:1005315532386 |
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|url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/w28x724593566g1t/ |
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|accessdate=2009-08-08}} |
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*{{cite journal |
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|date=August, 1998 |
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|title=Structural and Process History of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
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|author=Agrawala, S. |
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|journal=Climatic Change |
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|volume=39 |
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|issue=4 |
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|pages=621–642 |
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|doi=10.1023/A:1005312331477 |
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|url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/n302233443147421/?p=3e1f3d908ca64d45a18cacc1313bb291&pi=2 |
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|accessdate=2009-08-08}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{Official website}} |
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* '''[http://www.ipcc.ch/ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]''' |
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* {{official website|https://www.ipcc-data.org/}} of IPCC Data Distribution Centre (Climate data and guidance on its use) |
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** [http://www.ipcc.ch/about/bureau.htm IPCC Organisation] |
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** {{PDFlink|[http://www.ipcc.ch/about/princ.pdf IPCC Principles]|8.38 KB}} |
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** [http://www.ipcc.ch/pub/pub.htm IPCC publications] |
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** {{PDFlink|[http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/10th-anniversary/anniversary-brochure.pdf IPCC - ''16 years of Scientific Assessment in Support of the Climate Convention'']|618 KB}}. |
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** [http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/ IPCC AR4 WG1 Report Available for Purchase] |
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*** Summaries for Policymakers (SPMs) of the [[IPCC Fourth Assessment Report]]: |
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**** {{PDFlink|[http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/Report/AR4WG1_Print_SPM.pdf Working Group I (The Physical Science Basis)] |3.67 MB}}, |
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**** {{PDFlink|[http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-spm.pdf Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability]|923 KB}} |
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**** {{PDFlink|[http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg3/ar4-wg3-spm.pdf Working Group III (Mitigation of Climate Change)]|631 KB}} |
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* A [http://www.greenfacts.org/en/climate-change-ar4/ summary of the Fourth Assessment Report SPMs] by [[GreenFacts]]. |
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* [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Intergovernmental_Panel_on_Climate_Change_(IPCC) IPCC article] at the Encyclopedia of Earth - General overview of the IPCC |
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* [http://www.manicore.com/anglais/documentation_a/greenhouse/IPCC.html Climate Change - What Is the IPCC] by Jean-Marc Jancovici |
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*[http://www.vega.org.uk/video/programme/119 Climate Change] Freeview Video Interview 2006 - Sherwood Rowland, Nobel Laureate (1995) for work on ozone depletion discusses climate change. Provided by the Vega Science Trust. |
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*[http://uc.princeton.edu/main/index.php/component/content/article/3164 Evolution of Climate Science in the IPCC Assessments: Understanding the 20th Century Climate Change]. A video of a lecture given at [[Princeton University]] by Venkatachalam Ramaswamy, Acting Director and Senior Scientist, [[Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory]] (GFDL), Professor in Geosciences and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Princeton University. |
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Latest revision as of 18:03, 6 January 2025
Abbreviation | IPCC |
---|---|
Formation | 1988 |
Type | Panel |
Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
Chair | Jim Skea |
Vice-Chair | Youba Sokona |
Parent organization | World Meteorological Organization United Nations Environment Program |
Website | www |
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
---|
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations. Its job is to advance scientific knowledge about climate change caused by human activities.[1] The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) set up the IPCC in 1988. The United Nations endorsed the creation of the IPCC later that year.[2] It has a secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, hosted by the WMO. It has 195 member states who govern the IPCC.[3] The member states elect a bureau of scientists to serve through an assessment cycle. A cycle is usually six to seven years. The bureau selects experts in their fields to prepare IPCC reports.[4] There is a formal nomination process by governments and observer organizations to find these experts. The IPCC has three working groups and a task force, which carry out its scientific work.[4]
The IPCC informs governments about the state of knowledge of climate change. It does this by examining all the relevant scientific literature on the subject. This includes the natural, economic and social impacts and risks. It also covers possible response options. The IPCC does not conduct its own original research. It aims to be objective and comprehensive. Thousands of scientists and other experts volunteer to review the publications.[5] They compile key findings into "Assessment Reports" for policymakers and the general public;[4] Experts have described this work as the biggest peer review process in the scientific community.[6]
Leading climate scientists and all member governments endorse the IPCC's findings.[7][6] This underscores that the IPCC is a well-respected authority on climate change. Governments, civil society organizations and the media regularly quote from its reports. IPCC reports play a key role in the annual climate negotiations held by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).[8][9] The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report was an important influence on the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015.[10] The IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore for contributions to the understanding of climate change.[11]
The seventh assessment cycle of the IPCC began in 2023. In August 2021, the IPCC published its Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report (IPCC AR6) on the physical science basis of climate change.[12] The Guardian described this report as the "starkest warning yet" of "major inevitable and irreversible climate changes".[13] Many newspapers around the world echoed this theme.[14] In February 2022, the IPCC released its Working Group II report on impacts and adaptation.[15] It published Working Group III's "mitigation of climate change" contribution to the Sixth Assessment in April 2022.[16] The Sixth Assessment Report concluded with a Synthesis Report in March 2023.
During the period of the Sixth Assessment Report, the IPCC released three special reports. The first and most influential was the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C in 2018. In 2019 the Special Report on Climate Change and Land (SRCCL), and the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) came out. The IPCC also updated its methodologies in 2019. So the sixth assessment cycle was the most ambitious in the IPCC's history.[17]
Origins
[edit]The predecessor of the IPCC was the Advisory Group on Greenhouse Gases (AGGG).[18] Three organizations set up the AGGG in 1986. These were the International Council of Scientific Unions, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The AGGG reviewed scientific research on greenhouse gases. It also studied increases in greenhouse gases. Climate science was becoming more complicated and covering more disciplines. This small group of scientists lacked the resources to cover climate science.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency sought an international convention to restrict greenhouse gas emissions. The Reagan Administration worried that independent scientists would have too much influence. The WMO and UNEP therefore created the IPCC as an intergovernmental body in 1988. Scientists take part in the IPCC as both experts and government representatives. The IPCC produces reports backed by all leading relevant scientists. Member governments must also endorse the reports by consensus agreement. So the IPCC is both a scientific body and an organization of governments.[19][20] Its job is to tell governments what scientists know about climate change. It also examines the impacts of climate change and options for dealing with it. The IPCC does this by assessing peer-reviewed scientific literature.[21]
The United Nations endorsed the creation of the IPCC in 1988. The General Assembly resolution noted that human activity could change the climate. This could lead to severe economic and social consequences. It said increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases could warm the planet. This would cause the sea level to rise. The effects for humanity would be disastrous if timely steps were not taken.[2]
Organization
[edit]Way of working
[edit]The IPCC does not conduct original research.[22] It produces comprehensive assessments on the state of knowledge of climate change. It prepares reports on special topics relevant to climate change. It also produces methodologies. These methodologies help countries estimate their greenhouse gas emissions and removals through sinks. Its assessments build on previous reports and scientific publications. Over the course of six assessments the reports reflect the growing evidence for a changing climate. And they show how this is due to human activity.
Rules and governing principles
[edit]The IPCC has adopted its rules of procedure in the "Principles Governing IPCC Work". These state that the IPCC will assess:[9]
- the risk of climate change caused by human activities,
- its potential impacts, and
- possible options for prevention.
Under IPCC rules its assessments are comprehensive, objective, open and transparent. They cover all the information relevant to the scientific understanding of climate change. This draws on scientific, technical and socioeconomic information. IPCC reports must be neutral regarding policy recommendations. However, they may address the objective factors relevant to enacting policies.[9]
Structure
[edit]The IPCC has the following structure:
- IPCC Panel: Meets in plenary session about twice a year. It may meet more often for the approval of reports.[4] It controls the IPCC's structure, procedures, work programme and budget. It accepts and approves IPCC reports. The Panel is the IPCC corporate entity.[4]
- Chair: Elected by the Panel. Chairs the Bureau and other bodies. Represents the organization.
- Bureau: Elected by the Panel. It currently has 34 members from different geographic regions. Besides the Chair and three IPCC Vice-Chairs, they provide the leadership for the IPCC's three Working Groups and Task Force.[23] It provides guidance to the Panel on the scientific and technical aspects of its work.[24]
- Working Groups: Each has two Co-Chairs, one from a developed and one from a developing country. A technical support unit supports each Working Group. Working Group sessions approve the Summary for Policymakers of assessment and special reports. Each Working Group has a Bureau. This consists of its Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs, who are also members of the IPCC Bureau.
- Working Group I: Assesses scientific aspects of the climate system and climate change. Co-Chairs: Robert Vautard (France) and Xiaoye Zhang (China)[25]
- Working Group II: Assesses the impacts of climate change on human and natural systems. Assesses adaptation options. Co-Chairs: Bart van den Hurk (Netherlands) and Winston Chow (Singapore)[25]
- Working Group III: Assesses how to stop climate change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions. (Known as "mitigation".) Co-Chairs: Katherine Calvin (United States) and Joy Jacqueline Pereira (Malaysia)[25]
- Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.[26] Develops methodologies for estimating greenhouse gas emissions. Co-Chairs: Takeshi Enoki (Japan) and Mazhar Hayat (Pakistan)[25]
- Task Force Bureau: Consists of two Co-Chairs, who are also members of the IPCC Bureau, and 12 members.
- Executive Committee: Consists of the Chair, IPCC Vice-Chairs and the Co-Chairs of the Working Groups and Task Force. It addresses urgent issues that arise between sessions of the Panel.[27]
- Secretariat: Administers activities, supports the Chair and Bureau, point of contact for governments. Supported by UNEP and the WMO.[28]
Chair
[edit]The chair of the IPCC is British energy scientist Jim Skea, who is hosted by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). Skea has served since 28 July 2023 with the election of the new IPCC Bureau.[29][25] His predecessor was Korean economist Hoesung Lee, elected in 2015. The previous chairs were Rajendra K. Pachauri, elected in 2002, Robert Watson, elected in 1997, and Bert Bolin, elected in 1988.[30]
Panel
[edit]The Panel consists of representatives appointed by governments. They take part in plenary sessions of the IPCC and its Working Groups. Non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations may attend as observers.[31] Meetings of IPCC bodies are by invitation only.[9] About 500 people from 130 countries attended the 48th Session of the Panel in Incheon, Republic of Korea. This took place in October 2018. They included 290 government officials and 60 representatives of observer organizations. The opening ceremonies of sessions of the Panel and of Lead Author Meetings are open to media. Otherwise, IPCC meetings are closed.
Funding
[edit]The IPCC receives funding through a dedicated trust fund. UNEP and the WMO established the fund in 1989. The trust fund receives annual financial contributions from member governments. The WMO, UNEP and other organizations also contribute. Payments are voluntary and there is no set amount required. The WMO covers the operating costs of the secretariat. It also sets the IPCC's financial regulations and rules.[32] The Panel sets the annual budget.
In 2021, the IPCC's annual budget amounts to approximately six million euros, financed by the 195 UN Member states, who contribute "independently and voluntarily".[33][34] In 2021, the countries giving the most money include the United States, Japan, France, Germany and Norway.[33] Other countries, often developing ones, give an "in-kind contribution, by hosting IPCC meetings".[33] In 2022, this budget was a little less than eight million euros.[33]
List of all reports
[edit]Year | Name of report | Type of report |
---|---|---|
2023 | AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023 (March 2023) | Synthesis Report |
2021 and 2022 | Sixth Assessment Report (AR6): Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis (Working Group I, August 2021), Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability (Working Group II, February 2022), Mitigation of Climate Change (Working Group III, April 2022) | Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
2019 | Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) | Special Report |
2019 | Special Report on Climate Change and Land (SRCCL) | Special Report |
2019 | 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories[35] | Methodology Report |
2018 | Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C (SR15) | Special Report |
2014 | AR5 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2014[36] | Synthesis Report |
2013 and 2014 | Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis (Working Group I, September 2013), Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability (Working Group II, March 2014), Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change (Working Group III, April 2014) | Assessment (Working Group contributions) |
2013 | 2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands[37] | Methodology Report |
2013 | 2013 Revised Supplementary Methods and Good Practice Guidance Arising from the Kyoto Protocol[38] | Methodology Report |
2011 | Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX)[39] | Special Report |
2011 | Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN)[40] | Special Report |
2007 | AR4 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2007 | Synthesis Report |
2007 | Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis (Working Group I, February 2007), Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (Working Group II, April 2007), Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change (Working Group III, May 2007) | Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
2006 | 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories | Methodology Report |
2005 | Safeguarding the Ozone Layer and the Global Climate System | Special Report |
2005 | Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage[41] | Special Report |
2003 | Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry | Methodology Report |
2003 | Definitions and Methodological Options to Inventory Emissions from Direct Human-induced Degradation of Forests and Devegatation of Other Vegetation Types | Methodology Report |
2001 | TAR Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2001 | Synthesis Report |
2001 | Third Assessment Report (TAR) Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis (Working Group I), Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (Working Group II), Climate Change 2001: Mitigation (Working Group III) | Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
2000 | Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories | Methodology Report |
2000 | Methodological and Technological Issues in Technology Transfer | Special Report |
2000 | Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry | Special Report |
2000 | Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) | Special Report |
1999 | Aviation and the Global Atmosphere | Special Report |
1997 | The Regional Impacts of Climate Change: An Assessment of Vulnerability | Special Report |
1996 | Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories | Methodology Report |
1996 | SAR Synthesis Report: Climate Change 1995 | Synthesis Report |
1995 | Second Assessment Report (SAR) Climate Change 1995: The Science of Climate Change (Working Group I), Climate Change 1995: Impacts, Adaptations and Mitigation of Climate Change: Scientific-Technical Analyses (Working Group II), Climate Change 1995: Economic and Social Dimensions of Climate Change (Working Group III) | Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
1994 | IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories | Methodology Report |
1994 | Climate Change 1994: Radiative Forcing of Climate Change and An Evaluation of the IPCC IS92 Emission Scenarios | Special Report |
1994 | IPCC Technical Guidelines for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Adaptations | Special Report |
1992 | FAR Climate Change: The IPCC 1990 and 1992 Assessments (June 1992) (includes an Overview of the whole report) | Assessment Report (Working Group contributions)/Synthesis Report |
1992 | FAR Climate Change 1992: The Supplementary Report to the IPCC Scientific Assessment (Working Group I, February 2022), Climate Change 1992: The Supplementary Report to the IPCC Impacts Assessment (Working Group II, February 2022) | Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
1990 | First Assessment Report (FAR) Climate Change: The IPCC Scientific Assessment (Working Group I), Climate Change: The IPCC Impacts Assessment (Working Group II), Climate Change: The IPCC Response Strategies (Working Group III) | Assessment Report (Working Group contributions) |
Activities other than report preparation
[edit]The IPCC bases its work on the decisions of the WMO and UNEP, which established the IPCC. It also supports the work of the UNFCCC.[9] The main work of the IPCC is to prepare assessment and other reports. It also supports other activities such as the Data Distribution Centre.[42] This helps manage data related to IPCC reports.
The IPCC has a "Gender Policy and Implementation Plan" to pay attention to gender in its work. It aims to carry out its work in an inclusive and respectful manner. The IPCC aims for balance in participation in IPCC work. This should offer all participants equal opportunity.[43]
Communications and dissemination activities
[edit]The IPCC enhanced its communications activities for the Fifth Assessment Report. For instance it made the approved report and press release available to registered media under embargo before the release.[44] And it expanded its outreach activities with an outreach calendar.[45] The IPCC held an Expert Meeting on Communication in February 2016, at the start of the Sixth Assessment Report cycle. Members of the old and new Bureaus worked with communications experts and practitioners at this meeting. This meeting produced a series of recommendations.[46] The IPCC adopted many of them. One was to bring people with communications expertise into the Working Group Technical Support Units. Another was to consider communications questions early on in the preparation of reports.
Following these steps in communications, the IPCC saw a significant increase in media coverage of its reports. This was particularly the case with the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C in 2018 and Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, the Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report, in 2021. There was also much greater public interest, reflected in the youth and other movements that emerged in 2018.[47]
IPCC reports are important for public awareness of climate change and related policymaking. This has led to a number of academic studies of IPCC communications, for example in 2021.[48][49]
Archiving
[edit]The IPCC archives its reports and electronic files on its website. They include the review comments on drafts of reports. The Environmental Science and Public Policy Archives in the Harvard Library also archives them.[50]
Assessment reports
[edit]Between 1990 and 2023, the IPCC has published six comprehensive assessment reports reviewing the latest climate science. The IPCC has also produced 14 special reports on particular topics.[51] Each assessment report has four parts. These are a contribution from each of the three working groups, plus a synthesis report. The synthesis report integrates the working group contributions. It also integrates any special reports produced in that assessment cycle.
Review process of scientific literature
[edit]The IPCC does not carry out its own research. It does not monitor climate-related data. The reports by IPCC assess scientific papers and independent results from other scientific bodies. The IPCC sets a deadline for publication of scientific papers that a report will cover. That report will not include new information that emerges after this deadline. However, there is a steady evolution of key findings and levels of scientific confidence from one assessment report to the next.[52] Each IPCC report notes areas where the science has improved since the previous report. It also notes areas that would benefit from further research.
The First Assessment Report was published in 1990 and received an update in 1992.[53] In intervals of about six years, new editions of IPCC Assessment Report followed.
Selection and role of authors
[edit]The focal points of the Member states — the individual appointed by each state to liaise with the IPCC — and the observer organizations submit to the IPCC Bureau a list of personalities, which they have freely constituted. The Bureau (more precisely, the co-chairs of the relevant working group, with the help of its technical support unit) uses these lists as a basis for appointing authors, while retaining the possibility of appointing people who are not on the list, primarily on the basis of scientific excellence and diversity of viewpoints, and to a lesser extent by ensuring geographical diversity, experience within the IPCC and gender. Authors may include, in addition to researchers, personalities from the private sector and experts from NGOs.[54][55][56][57]
The IPCC Bureau or Working Group Bureau selects the authors of the reports from government nominations. Lead authors of IPCC reports assess the available information about climate change based on published sources.[58][59] According to IPCC guidelines, authors should give priority to peer-reviewed sources.[58] Authors may refer to non-peer-reviewed sources ("grey literature"), if they are of sufficient quality.[58] These could include reports from government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Industry journals and model results are other examples of non-peer-reviewed sources.[58]
Authors prepare drafts of a full report divided into chapters. They also prepare a technical summary of the report, and a summary for policymakers.[58]
Each chapter has a number of authors to write and edit the material. A typical chapter has two coordinating lead authors, ten to fifteen lead authors and a larger number of contributing authors. The coordinating lead authors assemble the contributions of the other authors. They ensure that contributions meet stylistic and formatting requirements. They report to the Working Group co-chairs. Lead authors write sections of chapters. They invite contributing authors to prepare text, graphs or data for inclusion.[60] Review editors must ensure that authors respond to comments received during the two stages of drafts review: the first is only open to external experts and researchers, while the second is also open to government representatives.[61][62]
The Bureau aims for a range of views, expertise and geographical representation in its choice of authors. This ensures the author team includes experts from both developing and developed countries. The Bureau also seeks a balance between male and female authors. And it aims for a balance between those who have worked previously on IPCC reports and those new to the process.[60]
Scientists who work as authors on IPCC reports do not receive any compensation for this work, and all work on a voluntary basis.[63] They depend on the salaries they receive from their home institutions or other work. The work is labour-intensive with a big time commitment. It can disrupt participating scientists' research. This has led to concern that the IPCC process may discourage qualified scientists from participating.[64][65] More than 3,000 authors (coordinating lead authors, lead authors, review editors) have participated in the drafting of IPCC reports since its creation.[63]
Review process for assessment reports
[edit]Expert reviewers comment at different stages on the drafts.[66] Reviewers come from member governments and IPCC observers. Also, anyone may become an IPCC reviewer by stating they have the relevant expertise.
There are generally three stages in the review process.[58] First comes expert review of the first draft of the chapters. The next stage is a review by governments and experts of the revised draft of the chapters and the first draft of the Summary for Policymakers. The third stage is a government review of the revised Summary for Policymakers. Review comments and author responses remain in an open archive for at least five years. Finally government representatives together with the authors review the Summary for Policymakers. They go through the Summary for Policymakers line by line to ensure it is a good summary for the underlying report. This final review of the Summary of Policymakers takes place at sessions of the responsible working group or of the Panel.
There are several types of endorsement which documents receive:
- Approval - Material has been subject to detailed, line-by-line discussion and agreement. (The relevant Working Groups approve Working Group Summaries for Policymakers. The Panel approves the Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers.)
- Adoption - Endorsed section by section (not line by line). (The Panel adopts the full IPCC Synthesis Report. It also adopts Overview Chapters of Methodology Reports.)
- Acceptance - Not been subject to line-by-line discussion and agreement. But it presents a comprehensive, objective and balanced view of the subject matter. (Working Groups accept their reports. The Panel accepts Working Group Summaries for Policymakers after working group approval. The Panel accepts Methodology Reports.)
Key findings and impacts
[edit]Assessment reports one to five (1990 to 2014)
[edit]- The IPCC's First Assessment Report (FAR) appeared in 1990. The report gave a broad overview of climate change science. It discussed uncertainties and provided evidence of warming. The authors said they are certain that greenhouse gases are increasing in the atmosphere because of human activity. This is resulting in more warming of the Earth's surface.[67][68] The report led to the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).[51]
- The Second Assessment Report (SAR), was published in 1995. It strengthened the findings of the First Assessment Report. The evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on the global climate, it said.[69] The Second Assessment Report provided important material for the negotiations leading to the UNFCCC's Kyoto Protocol.[70]
- The Third Assessment Report (TAR) was completed in 2001. It found more evidence that most of the global warming seen over the previous 50 years was due to human activity.[71] The report includes a graph reconstructing global temperature since the year 1000. The sharp rise in temperature in recent years gave it the name "hockey stick". This became a powerful image of how temperature is soaring with climate change. The report also shows how adaptation to the effects of climate change can reduce some of its ill effects.
- The IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) was published in 2007. It gives much greater certainty about climate change. It states: "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal..."[72] The report helped make people around the world aware of climate change. The IPCC shared the Nobel Peace Prize in the year of the report's publication for this work (see below).
- The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) was published in 2013 and 2014. This report again stated the fact of climate change. It warned of the dangerous risks. And it emphasized how the world can counter climate change. Three key findings were for example: Firstly, human influence on the climate system is clear. Secondly, the more we disrupt our climate, the more we risk severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts. And thirdly, we have the means to limit climate change and build a more prosperous, sustainable future.[73] The report's findings were the scientific foundation of the UNFCCC's 2015 Paris Agreement.[74]
Sixth assessment report (2021/2022)
[edit]The IPCC's most recent report is the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). The first three instalments of AR6 appeared in 2021 and 2022. The final synthesis report was completed in March 2023.
The IPCC published the Working Group I report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, in August 2021.[12] It confirms that the climate is already changing in every region. Many of these changes have not been seen in thousands of years. Many of them such as sea-level rise are irreversible over hundreds of thousands of years. Strong reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would limit climate change. But it could take 20–30 years for the climate to stabilize.[75] This report attracted enormous media and public attention. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres described it as "code red for humanity".[76]
The IPCC published the Working Group II report, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, in February 2022.[77] Climate change due to human activities is already affecting the lives of billions of people, it said. It is disrupting nature. The world faces unavoidable hazards over the next two decades even with global warming of 1.5 °C, it said.[78]
The IPCC published the Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change, in April 2022.[79] It will be impossible to limit warming to 1.5 °C without immediate and deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. It is still possible to halve emissions by 2050, it said.[80]
Other reports
[edit]Special reports
[edit]The IPCC also publishes other types of reports. It produces Special Reports on topics proposed by governments or observer organizations. Between 1994 and 2019 the IPCC published 14 special reports. Now usually more than one working group cooperates to produce a special report. The preparation and approval process is the same as for assessment reports.[58]
Special reports in 2011
[edit]During the fifth assessment cycle the IPCC produced two special reports. It completed the Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN) in 2011. Working Group III prepared this report. The report examined options to use different types of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels. The report noted that the cost of most renewables technologies had fallen. It was likely to fall even more with further advances in technology. It said renewables could increase access to energy. The report reviewed 164 scenarios that examine how renewables could help stop climate change. In more than half of these scenarios, renewables would contribute more than 27% of primary energy supply in mid-century. This would be more than double the 13% share in 2008. In the scenarios with the highest shares for renewable energy, it contributes 77% by 2050.[81]
Later in 2011 the IPCC released the Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX). This was a collaboration between Working Groups I and II. It was the first time two IPCC working groups worked together on a special report. The report shows how climate change has contributed to changes in extreme weather. And it show how policies to avoid and prepare for extreme weather events can reduce their impact. In the same way policies to respond to events and recover from them can make societies more resilient.[82][83]
Special reports 2018-2019
[edit]During the sixth assessment cycle the IPCC produced three special reports. This made it the most ambitious cycle in IPCC history. The UNFCCC set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2 °C while trying to hold it at 1.5 °C, when it reached the Paris Agreement at COP21 in 2015. But at the time there was little understanding of what warming of 1.5 °C meant. There was little scientific research explaining how the impacts of 1.5 °C would differ from 2 °C. And there was little understanding about how to keep warming to 1.5 °C. So the UNFCCC invited the IPCC to prepare a report on global warming of 1.5 °C. The IPCC subsequently released the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C (SR15) in 2018.[84] The report showed that it was possible to keep warming below 1.5 °C during the 21st century. But this would mean deep cuts in emissions. It would also mean rapid, far-reaching changes in all aspects of society.[85] The report showed warming of 2 °C would have much more severe impacts than 1.5 °C. In other words: every bit of warming matters. SR15 had an unprecedented impact for an IPCC report in the media and with the public.[47] It put the 1.5 °C target at the centre of climate activism.[86]
In 2019 the IPCC released two more special reports that examine different parts of the climate system. The Special Report on Climate Change and Land (SRCCL) examined how the way we use land affects the climate. It looked at emissions from activities such as farming and forestry rather than from energy and transport. It also looked at how climate change is affecting land. All three IPCC working groups and its Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories collaborated on the report. The report found that climate change is adding to the pressures we are putting on our land we use to live on and grow our food.[87] It will only be possible to keep warming well below 2 °C if we reduce emissions from all sectors including land and food, it said.[88]
The Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) examined how the ocean and frozen parts of the planet interact with climate change. (The cryosphere includes frozen systems such as ice sheets, glaciers and permafrost.) IPCC Working Groups I and II prepared the report. The report highlighted the need to tackle unprecedented changes in the ocean and cryosphere.[89] It also showed how adaptation could help sustainable development.
The IPCC will prepare a special report on climate change and cities during the seventh assessment cycle.
Methodology Reports
[edit]The IPCC has a National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme. It develops methodologies and software for countries to report their greenhouse gas emissions. The IPCC's Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) has managed the program since 1998.[26] Japan's Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)[90] hosts the TFI's Technical Support Unit.
The IPCC approves its methodology reports at sessions of the Panel. The Panel adopts the Methodology Report's Overview Chapter by endorsing it section by section.
Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines
[edit]The IPCC released its first Methodology Report, the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, in 1994. The Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories updated this report.[91] Two "good practice reports" complete these guidelines. These are the Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry. Parties to the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol use the 1996 guidelines and two good practice reports for their annual submissions of inventories.
2006 IPCC Guidelines
[edit]The 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories further update these methodologies.[92] They include a large number of "default emission factors". These are factors to estimate the amount of emissions for an activity. The IPCC prepared this new version of the guidelines at the request of the UNFCCC.[93] The UNFCCC accepted them for use at its 2013 Climate Change Conference, COP19, in Warsaw. The IPCC added further material in its 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.[94]
The TFI has started preparations for a methodology report on short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs).[95][96] It will complete this report in the next assessment cycle, the seventh.
Challenges and controversies
[edit]IPCC reports also attract criticism. Criticisms come from both people who say the reports exaggerate the risks and people who say they understate them.[97] The IPCC consensus approach has faced internal and external challenges.[98][99]
Conservative nature of IPCC reports
[edit]Some critics have argued that IPCC reports tend to be too conservative in their assessments of climate risk. In 2012, it was reported that the IPCC has been criticized by some scientists, who argue that the reports consistently underestimate the pace and impacts of global warming.[97] As a result, they believe this leads to findings that are the "lowest common denominator".[100] [clarification needed] Similar claims have also been made by scientists who found that for the last several assessment reports, the focus of the IPCC reports skewed more and more towards lower temperatures, especially 1.5°C.[101] Temperatures above 2°C however, have seen much less attention, even though they seem more likely given current emission trajectories.[102]
David Biello, writing in the Scientific American, argues that, because of the need to secure consensus among governmental representatives, the IPCC reports give conservative estimates of the likely extent and effects of global warming.[103] Science editor Brooks Hanson states in a 2010 editorial: "The IPCC reports have underestimated the pace of climate change while overestimating societies' abilities to curb greenhouse gas emissions."[104]
Climate scientist James E. Hansen argues that the IPCC's conservativeness seriously underestimates the risk of sea-level rise on the order of meters—enough to inundate many low-lying areas, such as the southern third of Florida.[105] In January 2024, he told the Guardian, "We are now in the process of moving into the 1.5C world." He added that "passing through the 1.5C world is a significant milestone because it shows that the story being told by the United Nations, with the acquiescence of its scientific advisory body, the IPCC, is a load of bullshit."[106]
Roger A. Pielke Sr. has also stated "Humans are significantly altering the global climate, but in a variety of diverse ways beyond the radiative effect of carbon dioxide. The IPCC assessments have been too conservative in recognizing the importance of these human climate forcings as they alter regional and global climate."[107]
Stefan Rahmstorf, a professor of physics and oceanography at University of Potsdam, argued in 2007 that the IPCC's tendency to make conservative risk assessments had benefits. Rahmstorf argued that "In a way, it is one of the strengths of the IPCC to be very conservative and cautious and not overstate any climate change risk".[108] IPCC reports aim to inform policymakers about the state of knowledge on climate change. They do this by assessing the findings of the thousands of scientific papers available on the subject at a given time. Individual publications may have different conclusions to IPCC reports. This includes those appearing just after the release of an IPCC report. This can lead to criticism that the IPCC is either alarmist or conservative. New findings must wait for the next assessment for consideration.[109][110]
Potential industry and political influence
[edit]A memo by ExxonMobil to the Bush administration in the United States in 2002 was an example of possible political influence on the IPCC. The memo led to strong Bush administration lobbying to oust Robert Watson, a climate scientist, as IPCC chair. They sought to replace him with Rajendra Pachauri. Many considered Pachauri at the time as more mild-mannered and industry-friendly.[111]
Governments form the membership of the IPCC. They are the prime audience for IPCC reports. IPCC rules give them a formal role in the scoping, preparation and approval of reports.[112] For instance governments take part in the review process and work with authors to approve the Summary for Policymakers of reports. But some activists have argued that governments abuse this role to influence the outcome of reports.[113]
In 2023, it was reported that pressure from Brazil and Argentina, two countries with large beef industries, caused the IPCC to abandon text recommending the adoption of plant-based diets. An earlier draft of the report, which noted "plant-based diets can reduce GHG emissions by up to 50% compared to the average emission-intensive Western diet", was leaked online in March 2023.[114]
Controversy and review after Fourth Assessment Report in 2007
[edit]The IPCC came under unprecedented media scrutiny in 2009 in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate conference. This "Climatic Research Unit email controversy" involved the leak of emails from climate scientists. Many of these scientists were authors of the Fourth Assessment Report which came out in 2007. The discovery of an error in this report that the Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035 put the IPCC under further pressure.[115] Scientific bodies upheld the general findings of the Fourth Assessment Report and the IPCC's approach.[116][117] But many people thought the IPCC should review the way it works.[118]
InterAcademy Council review in 2010
[edit]Public debate after the publication of AR4 in 2009 put the IPCC under scrutiny, with controversies over alleged bias and inaccuracy in its reports. In 2010, this prompted U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and IPCC chair Rajendra K. Pachauri to request that the InterAcademy Council (IAC) review the IPCC and recommend ways to strengthen its processes and procedures for the preparation of AR5. The IAC report made recommendations to fortify IPCC's management structure, to further develop its conflict-of-interest policy, to strengthen the review process, to clarify the guidelines on the use of so-called gray literature, to ensure consistency in the use of probabilities for the likelihood of outcomes, and to improve its communications strategy especially regarding transparency and rapidity of response.[119]
The United Nations Secretary-General and the Chair of the IPCC asked the InterAcademy Council (IAC) in March 2010 to review the IPCC's processes for preparing its reports.[118][120] The IAC panel, chaired by Harold Tafler Shapiro, released its report on 1 September 2010.[121] The IAC panel made seven formal recommendations for improving the IPCC's assessment process. The IPCC implemented most of the review's recommendations by 2012. One of these was the introduction of a protocol to handle errors in reports.[122][123] Other recommendations included strengthening the science-review process and improving communications. But the IPCC did not adopt the proposal to appoint a full-time executive secretary.[121][124]
Issues with consensual approach
[edit]Michael Oppenheimer, a long-time participant in the IPCC, has said the IPCC consensus approach has some limitations. Oppenheimer, a coordinating lead author of the Fifth Assessment Report, called for concurring, smaller assessments of special problems instead of the large-scale approach of previous IPCC assessments.[99] Others see "mixed blessings" in the drive for consensus within the IPCC. They suggest including dissenting or minority positions.[125] Others suggest improving statements about uncertainties.[126][127]
Criticism by experts involved with the IPCC process
[edit]Some of the criticism has originated from experts invited by the IPCC to submit reports or serve on its panels. For example, John Christy, a contributing author who works at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, explained in 2007 the difficulties of establishing scientific consensus on the precise extent of human action on climate change. "Contributing authors essentially are asked to contribute a little text at the beginning and to review the first two drafts. We have no control over editing decisions. Even less influence is granted the 2,000 or so reviewers. Thus, to say that 800 contributing authors or 2,000 reviewers reached consensus on anything describes a situation that is not reality", he wrote.[128] Christopher Landsea, a hurricane researcher, said of "the part of the IPCC to which my expertise is relevant" that "I personally cannot in good faith continue to contribute to a process that I view as both being motivated by pre-conceived agendas and being scientifically unsound,"[129] because of comments made at a press conference by Kevin Trenberth of which Landsea disapproved. Trenberth said "Landsea's comments were not correct";[130] the IPCC replied "individual scientists can do what they wish in their own rights, as long as they are not saying anything on behalf of the IPCC".[131]
Endorsements and awards
[edit]Endorsements from scientific bodies
[edit]IPCC reports are the benchmark for climate science.[132] There is widespread support for the IPCC in the scientific community. Publications by other scientific bodies and experts show this.[133][134] Many scientific bodies have issued official statements that endorse the findings of the IPCC. For example:
- For the Third Assessment Report in 2001 endorsements came from the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences,[135] United States National Research Council[136] and European Geosciences Union.[137]
- For the Fourth Assessment Report in 2007 endorsements came from the International Council for Science (ICSU),[138] and the Network of African Science Academies.[139]
Nobel Peace Prize in 2007
[edit]In December 2007, the IPCC received the Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change". It shared the award with former U.S. Vice-president Al Gore for his work on climate change and the documentary An Inconvenient Truth.[140]
Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity in 2022
[edit]In October 2022, the IPCC and IPBES shared the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. The two intergovernmental bodies won the prize because they "produce scientific knowledge, alert society, and inform decision-makers to make better choices for combatting climate change and the loss of biodiversity".[141]
See also
[edit]- Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – Intergovernmental organization in science and policy
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – International environmental treaty
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- ^ * "Scientists Send Letter to Congress and Federal Agencies Supporting IPCC". American Geophysical Union. Archived from the original on 24 October 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
- Yohe, G.W.; et al. "An Open Letter from Scientists in the United States on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Errors Contained in the Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007". Archived from the original on 15 March 2010.. Note: According to Yohe et al. (2010), more than 250 scientists have signed the statement.
- ^ The Science of Climate Change (PDF), Joint statement by 16 national science academies, London: Royal Society, 17 May 2001, ISBN 978-0854035588, archived from the original (PDF) on 19 April 2015
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "CFCAS Letter to PM, November 25, 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
- ^ "Summary". Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. 2001. doi:10.17226/10139. ISBN 978-0-309-07574-9.
- ^ "European Geosciences Union (EGU): Position Statements" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ admin (27 January 2011). "ICSU releases statement on the controversy around the 4th IPCC Assessment". International Science Council. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ "Joint statement by the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC)" (PDF). Network of African Science Academies. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2008.
- ^ "2007 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates". Retrieved 11 October 2007.
- ^ "2022 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity distinguishes IPBES and IPCC". 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Official website of IPCC Data Distribution Centre (Climate data and guidance on its use)
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- International climate change organizations
- Organizations awarded Nobel Peace Prizes
- United Nations Environment Programme
- Working groups
- World Meteorological Organization
- Environmental organizations established in 1988
- Scientific organizations established in 1988
- Organisations based in Geneva
- Swiss Nobel laureates