IPCC New Report – Impacts of Global Warming of 1.5°C Above Pre-Industrial Levels

Background of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) and their new report
Ninety-one authors and review editors from 40 countries prepared
the IPCC report in response to an invitation from the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when it
adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015. The IPCC is the leading world
body for assessing the science related to climate change, its
impacts and potential future risks, and possible response
options.

Read the report in full or summary versions by clicking on the
link below:
Global Warming
of 1.5 °C; an IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming
of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse
gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global
response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development,
and efforts to eradicate poverty

What are the main headlines of the report?

• Human activities are estimated to have caused approximately
  1.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels, with a likely
  range of 0.8°C to 1.2°C. Global warming is likely to reach 1.5°C
  between 2030 and 2052 if it continues to increase at the current
  rate.
• Warming greater than the global annual average is being
  experienced in many land regions and seasons, including two to
  three times higher in the Arctic. Warming is generally higher over
  land than over the ocean.
• Trends in intensity and frequency of some climate and weather
  extremes have been detected over time spans during which about
  0.5°C of global warming. This assessment is based on several lines
  of evidence, including attribution studies for changes in extremes
  since 1950.
• Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require “rapid and
  far-reaching” transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings,
  transport, and cities. Global net human-caused emissions of carbon
  dioxide (CO2) would need to fall by about 45 percent from 2010
  levels by 2030, reaching ‘net zero’ around 2050. This means that
  any remaining emissions would need to be balanced by removing CO2
  from the air.
• With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, limiting
  global warming to 1.5ºC compared to 2ºC could go hand in hand with
  ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society

Is it too late? In short, not quite…
“The good news is that some of the kinds of actions that would
be needed to limit global warming to 1.5ºC are already underway
around the world, but they would need to accelerate,” said
Valerie Masson-Delmotte, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group I.

“The decisions we make today are critical in ensuring a safe
and sustainable world for everyone, both now and in the
future,” said Debra Roberts, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group
II, “This report gives policymakers and practitioners the
information they need to make decisions that tackle climate change
while considering local context and people’s needs. The next few
years are probably the most important in our history.”

What does this all mean and what can be done about
it?
To help explain the potential impacts of different levels of
global warming and how people can take action to reduce climate
risks, the WWF has put together this infographic (below) and
webpage on
‘Our Warming World: How Much Difference Will Half-a-Degree Really
Make?’

Want to know more about Climate Change and the implications for
your organisation and stakeholders?
The third sector has huge potential to tackle both the causes and
consequences of climate change. It is uniquely placed to reach and
support people, especially the most disadvantaged and vulnerable.
Our ‘Tackling
Climate Change’ webpages and resource ‘A
Third Sector Guide to Climate Change’ will help
you understand what climate change is about, where to find support
to help you manage your climate risks, and how to make better
decisions for a changing future.

Zero Carbon Britain – Raising Ambition Report
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targets of the Paris Climate Agreement; including plans for clean
energy, land use, and diets.