Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– IPCC
– Climate Change
– Paris agreement
Context
With the recent conclusion of the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), discussions have now shifted towards the initiation of the seventh assessment cycle (AR7). A recent meeting held in Turkey marked the beginning of the AR7 cycle and set the stage for deliberations on crucial aspects such as report contents, timelines, and alignment with global climate goals.
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 19th February 2024
What are IPCC’s assessment reports?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change. It was established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge about climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.
Structure of the IPCC
The IPCC is structured into three Working Groups and a Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI):
- Working Group I (The Physical Science Basis): This group assesses the physical science aspects of climate change, including the understanding of the climate system and its change, human and natural factors that contribute to it, and the observed effects of climate change.
- Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability): This group assesses the impacts of climate change on human and natural systems, as well as the potential to adapt to these impacts.
- Working Group III (Mitigation of Climate Change): This group assesses the options for mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing their removal from the atmosphere.
- Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI): This task force provides technical guidance and support to countries for the estimation and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
Assessment Reports
The IPCC’s main products are its Assessment Reports, which are comprehensive, periodic reviews of the latest scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to understanding climate change. Each Assessment Report is produced by the three Working Groups and a Task Force, and it consists of the following components:
- Summary for Policymakers (SPM): A concise and policy-relevant summary of the main findings of the Assessment Report.
- Technical Summary: A more detailed summary of the Assessment Report, aimed at a technical audience.
- Chapters: The full assessment of the science, impacts, and mitigation of climate change, divided into chapters written by leading experts from around the world.
- Synthesis Report: An integration of the reports of the three Working Groups, providing a holistic view of the state of knowledge on climate change.
Working of the IPCC
The IPCC operates through a rigorous and transparent process, which involves the following steps:
- Scoping: The Panel decides on the scope and content of the Assessment Report.
- Author selection: Leading experts from around the world are nominated by governments and international organizations to serve as authors of the Assessment Report.
- Lead Author meetings: The lead authors meet to discuss the outline of the report and to assign writing tasks.
- Drafting and review: The authors draft the report, which is then subjected to two rounds of review by experts and governments.
- Acceptance and approval: The Panel accepts and approves the final report.
Key Points from the Turkey Meeting
Initiation of AR7 Cycle:
- The IPCC bureau convened in Turkey to commence discussions on budget allocation, timelines, and the overarching work program for the AR7 cycle.
- The meeting was informed by insights gleaned from the Informal Group on Lessons Learned, which synthesized feedback from member countries and stakeholders based on the AR6 cycle.
Discussion on Reports and Special Reports:
- The bureau considered recommendations from member countries regarding the types and necessity of reports for the AR7 cycle.
- While suggestions for numerous special reports were made, the bureau opted for a streamlined approach, choosing to produce one special report focusing on climate change and cities.
Report Timeline Considerations:
- Despite calls from member countries to align report releases with the 2028 GST, the bureau grappled with determining an appropriate timeline.
- Concerns were raised regarding the potential compromise of report quality due to constrained timelines, inadequate research publications, and limited engagement with under-represented communities.
Conclusion
The Turkey meeting heralded the commencement of the IPCC’s seventh assessment cycle, AR7, amidst growing urgency to address climate change. While deliberations provided insights into report contents and alignment with global initiatives like the GST, determining a feasible timeline remained a contentious issue. The decisions made in Turkey will significantly influence climate action strategies and policy formulations in the coming years.
Related Topics
Global Stocktake
The global stocktake is a process established under the Paris Agreement to assess collective progress towards achieving its goals. It’s essentially a comprehensive review of the world’s efforts to combat climate change, aiming to identify areas where progress is happening and where more action is needed.
Process:
- Involves all parties to the Paris Agreement, as well as non-party stakeholders such as civil society organizations, the private sector, and research institutions.
- Consists of three phases:
- Information collection and preparation: Parties and stakeholders submit information on their climate actions and support provided or received.
- Technical assessment: Expert review and synthesis of the submitted information.
- Synthesis and outcome: Preparation of a final report and recommendations for future action.
References
Practice Question
Examine data driven approach in climate action in light of IPCC assessment reports. [150 words]