IPCC assessment report released

Context

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the first part of the sixth assessment report (AR6). The two remaining parts are expected to be released next year.

About the IPCC reports

• The IPCC reports are created by 3 working groups of scientists.
• Working Group-I, deals with the scientific basis for climate change.
• Working Group-II looks at the expected impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation issues.
• Working Group-III deals with the actions that can be taken for combating climate change.
• The assessment reports are the most widelyaccepted scientific opinion about the climate change.
• They form the basis for government to form policies to tackle climate change.
• It also provides scientific foundation for international climate change negotiations.

Key findings of the Sixth report

• Global warming of 1.5°C and 2°C will be increased unless deep reductions in CO2 and other GHGs during the 21st century.
• Earth’s global surface temperature has gone up by around 1.1 °C in comparison to the average in 1850–1900.
• Such a level hasn’t been witnessed in 125,000 years.
• Sea levels to rise by 2–3 meters over the next 2,000 years.
• Increased frequency and intensity of the hot extremes, marine heatwaves, and the heavy precipitation along with the agricultural and ecological droughts.
• Intensification and variability of the global water cycle.
• The ocean and land carbon sinks are expected to be less effective.