The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is a scientific body established in 1988 by the UN and WMO. It assesses and synthesizes scientific research on climate change, providing policymakers with comprehensive information.
Thousands of scientists contribute to its reports, which cover climate science, impacts, adaptation, and mitigation. The IPCC's findings and recommendations have influenced international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement, and it plays a vital role in raising awareness and addressing the challenges of climate change.
The IPCC operates on a government-driven process, ensuring its reports are based on the best available science and politically neutral. Its assessments inform global climate negotiations and policy decisions at national and international levels.
By bridging the gap between science and policy, the IPCC serves as a key resource for policymakers, scientists, and the public, helping to address the urgent need for action in the face of climate change.
What does the "1.5°C limit" referred to by the IPCC entail?
The "1.5°C limit" referred to by the IPCC represents the target of limiting global warming to a maximum increase of 1.5°C Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It signifies the threshold beyond which the impacts of climate change are expected to become significantly more severe. Achieving this limit requires substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced mitigation efforts.
The IPCC's special report titled "Global Warming of 1.5°C" published in 2018 highlights the urgency of taking immediate and ambitious actions to stay within this limit. It emphasizes that even a half-degree increase beyond 1.5°C can lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and threats to ecosystems and human livelihoods.
The report provides scientific evidence and scenarios to inform policymakers, stressing the importance of transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable land and ocean management practices. The 1.5°C limit serves as a crucial benchmark for global climate action, aiming to minimize the adverse impacts of climate change and protect the planet for future generations.
