The Synthesis Report of the Sixth Assessment Cycle (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was adopted by all member countries on 19th March 2023 at the 58th Session of the IPCC at Interlaken, Switzerland.
Key findings
- The report reinforces the scientific view that CO2 is the primary GHG and needs to be drastically reduced.
- The report mentions that for every 1000 GtCO2 emitted by human activity, global surface temperature rises by 0.45°C (best estimate, with a likely range from 0.27 to 0.63°C).
- The remaining carbon budgets from the beginning of 2020 are 500 GtCO2 for a 50% likelihood of limiting global warming to 1.5°C and 1150 GtCO2 for a 67% likelihood of limiting warming to below 2°C.
- Reaching net zero CO2 or GHG emissions primarily requires deep and rapid reductions in gross emissions of CO2, as well as substantial reductions of non-CO2 GHG emissions.
- Climate justice and equity are important enablers for ensuring climate action and growth and development for developing countries.
- The Synthesis Report draws attention to the fact that the largest climate finance gaps are in developing countries and that accelerated financial support for developing countries from developed countries and other sources is a critical enabler to enhance mitigation actions and address inequities in finance, including its costs, terms and conditions and economic vulnerability to climate change for developing countries.
- The Report notes that finance flows from developed to developing countries fall short of the levels needed to meet climate goals across all sectors and regions.
About IPCC
- Created in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the objective of the IPCC is to provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies.
- IPCC reports are also a key input into international climate change negotiations. The IPCC is an organization of governments that are members of the United Nations or WMO.
- Through its assessments, the IPCC identifies the strength of scientific agreement in different areas and indicates where further research is needed.
- The IPCC does not conduct its own research.
