IPCC Sixth Assessment Report

Why in news?

• The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been released on 28th February, 2022. It is the second part of IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.

What is the IPCC?

• It is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations for assessing the science related to climate change.
• It was established in 1988 by UNEP and WMO (World Meteorological Organization).
• It provides policymakers with regular scientific assessments related to climate change. India is also a member of IPCC.

Working:

• IPCC does not conduct original research nor monitor climate change, but rather undertakes a periodic, systematic review of all relevant published literature.
• Thousands of scientists and other experts volunteer to review the data and compile key findings into "Assessment Reports" for policymakers and the general public.
• The IPCC is divided into three Working Groups and a Task Force:
  • Working Group I deal with The Physical Science Basis of Climate Change
  • Working Group II deal with Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
  • Working Group III deal with Mitigation of Climate Change
  • Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories - develop and refine a methodology for the calculation and reporting of national greenhouse gas emissions and removals.

About IPCC Assessment Report:

• The Assessment Reports are the most comprehensive evaluations of the state of the earth’s climate.
• Hundreds of experts go through every available piece of relevant, published scientific information to prepare a common understanding of the changing climate.
• The first assessment report was released in 1990 and the subsequent editions were released in 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2015.
• The first part of IPCC Sixth Assessment Report was released in August 2021. It was centered around the scientific basis of climate change.
• The second part talks about climate change impacts, risks and vulnerabilities, and adaptation options.
• The third and final part of the report, which will look into the possibilities of reducing emissions, is expected to come out later in the year.

Key findings of the Sixth Assessment Report:

• Vulnerability Mapping:
  • Over 45% of the global population is living in areas highly vulnerable to climate change.
  • Observed impacts are concentrated amongst the economically and socially marginalized urban residents.
• Degree of Impact:
  • The impacts are more disruptive and more widespread compared to 20 years ago. If the temperature rise crossed the threshold of 1.5°C from pre-industrial times, then many changes could be irreversible.
  • Infrastructure; including transportation, water, sanitation and energy systems have been compromised by extreme and slow-onset events.
  • This has resulted in economic losses, disruptions of services and impacted the overall well- being.
• Impact of climate change on food security:
  • Climate change will severely impact food production and food security. Droughts and heatwaves will trigger biodiversity loss, as well as human migration
• Sea level rise:
  • Global sea levels will likely rise 44-76 cm this century if governments meet their current emission-cutting pledges. With faster emission cuts, the increase could be limited to 28-55 cm

Findings concerning India:

• More heatwaves:
  • AR6 predicts that India will suffer more frequent hot extremes, such as warm days, warm nights, and heat waves in the remaining decades of the 21st century.
• Varying Monsoon:
  • Changes in monsoon precipitation are expected, with both annual and summer monsoon precipitation projected to increase.
• Warmer Indian Ocean:
  • The report observed that the Indian Ocean has warmed faster than the global average. In the South Asian region, marine heatwaves will continue to rise.
• Changing Himalayas:
  • Himalayan region will experience changing snowmelt patterns and changes in snowline, which could trigger more Floods and landslides.
• Coastal flooding:
  • By the middle of the century, around 35 million people in India could face annual coastal flooding, with 45-50 million at risk by the end of the century if emissions are high.
• Water scarcity
  • Climate change and rising demand would lead to at least 40% of the Indian population living with water scarcity by 2050 compared with about 33% now.
• Wet-Bulb Temperature:
  • At present, wet-bulb temperatures in India rarely exceed 31 degrees C, with most of the country experiencing maximum wet-bulb temperatures of 25-30 degrees C.
  • Wet-Bulb Temperature is a measure that combines heat and humidity.
  • A wet-bulb temperature of 31 degrees Celsius is extremely dangerous for humans, while a value of 35 degrees is unsurvivable for more than about six hours, even for fit and healthy adults.
  • It notes that if emissions are cut, but only by the levels currently promised, many parts of northern and coastal India would reach extremely dangerous wet-bulb temperatures of over 31 degrees C towards the end of the century.

PRACTICE QUESTION

With reference to ‘Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’, consider the following statements:

1. It is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations

2. IPCC does not conduct original research nor monitor climate change

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither

Answer