New climate report will be ‘moment of truth’ demanding tougher action
0 South Korea’s environment minister Kim Eun-kyung Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is meeting in South Korea this week to vet and validate a special report on the state of the world’s climate.
The new report will outline what action will be required to meet the global warming limit set out in the Paris Climate Agreement and what exceeding it could mean.
Leaked drafts of the report suggest worldwide temperature rise is on track to break the 1.5C mark by around 2040.
The key message is that more far-reaching measures will be necessary in order to stay within the target.
South Korea’s environment minister Kim Eun-kyung attended the opening ceremony of the 48th session of the IPCC in the city of Incheon.
The finalised Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C, with its Summary for Policymakers, will be published on 8 October.
“Governments have asked the IPCC for an assessment of warming of 1.5C, its impacts and related emissions pathways, to help them address climate change,” IPCC chair Hoesung Lee said.
“Together we will produce a strong, robust and clear summary for policymakers that responds to the invitation of governments three years ago while upholding the scientific integrity of the IPCC.”
The Paris Agreement sets out a long-term goal of restricting the increase in global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5C.
The IPCC report is expected to outline strong messages on the speed at which governments and corporations will need to replace fossil fuels with clean energy, restore forthe ests and transform food systems in order to meet the Paris goals.
Environmental campaigners say the global community is “fed up” with a lack of action on greenhouse gas emissions.
Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International, said: “This IPCC report is our moment of truth.
“People are hurt and demanding action. governments and industry have for too long wasted time.”