10 KEY POINTS
from the latest IPCC report
Group 1 - The physical science basis
1 UNPRECEDENTED CHANGES
We are experiencing a breach within the natural climate 2 HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY
fluctuations of the past. The changes are rapid, Human influence accounts for 100% of the global
unprecedented for thousands of years and some are warming observed today. Human activities,
already irreversible. Global warming has reached 1.1°C through the use of fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal)
over the last decade [2010-2019] compared to the and land use changes (mainly deforestation),
pre-industrial era [1850-1900]. The concentration of CO2 are leading to changes that are affecting all
in the atmosphere is at its highest in at least 2 million years. regions of the world and are intensifying. .
3 AN INCREASE IN 4 CO2 IS ACCUMULATING
Each additional tonne of CO2 in the atmosphere contributes
EXTREME EVENTS
to further global warming. If we stop emitting CO2 today,
Human influence is already making
the global temperature would stabilize at its current level. The
some extreme events more frequent,
later carbon neutrality (i.e. net zero CO2 emissions) is achieved, the
more intense, longer and changing their
greater the level of warming, and associated risks.
seasonality. There is no doubt that the
number and severity of land and sea heat
waves, heavy precipitation events,
droughts, and events involving several
5ACT NOW
Even in a deep emission reduction scenario, emissions will inevitably
of these extremes, have increased lead to further warming in the next two decades and the 1.5°C
since the pre-industrial era threshold will be crossed during the 2030s. The extent of climate
change beyond 2040 and the risks for ecosystems and human
societies, on the other hand, depend on today's choices and actions.
6 VERY LONG-TERM
EFFECTS
Changes to the world's oceans and frozen
areas are irreversible on a multi- 7 EVERY TENTH OF A DEGREE COUNTS
Each additional increment of warming continues to
generational scale, but their rate can be
intensify many changes in our climate: extremes, the
slowed by limiting warming, which is
water cycle, sea level rise are directly related to the level
essential for adaptation. Sea levels will
of warming. A heatwave that had a 1 in 50 chance of
continue to rise over millennia and glaciers will
happening before the industrial era will be 9 times more likely
continue to melt for decades, even after global
to happen at 1.5°C of global warming, and 14 times more likely
warming stabilises.
at 2°C.
8 CARBON SINKS ARE
9 CONSIDER EVERYTHING
Some low-probability events need to be considered for adaptation
BEING TESTED
and risk assessment because they would have very serious
The ocean and biosphere now absorb
consequences for ecosystems and societies. For example, the
half of all human-induced CO2
rapid dieback of the Amazon rainforest, abrupt changes
emissions. Stronger warming would
in ocean circulation or the melting of the polar ice caps. The
reduce the share of carbon they
higher the level of warming, the greater the risk of such events.
absorb
10 RAPID BENEFITS
Measures taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have immediate public health co-benefits. Reducing
the use of fossil fuels and changing agricultural practices to decarbonise improve air quality. Moreover, limiting
methane emissions not only limits short-term warming but also surface ozone, an air pollutant that harms
health and agricultural yields.
Digest co-written by the french collective Pour un réveil écologique and authors from IPCC working group 3
10 KEY POINTS
from the latest IPCC report
rability
Group 2 - Impacts, adaptation and vulne
1 CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALREADY
IMPACTING NATURE AND SOCIETIES
2 HALF OF HUMANITY IS
HIGHLY VULNERABLE
Adverse impacts of climate change are being observed Poor people and developing countries
worldwide. The cascading risks induced limit the resilience of are the most vulnerable to climate
our systems. change, even though they have contributed
little to current warming. Adaptation
3 GROWING AND THREATENING
IMPACTS IN EUROPE
and transition assistance aims to
compensate for this injustice.
Despite progress in adaptation, humans and nature are already
being impacted worldwide. Average temperatures have risen by
2°C in Europe compared to the global average of 1.1°C, with, for 4 RISKS IN ALL
REGIONS AND
example, a tripling of crop losses over the past 50 years and SECTORS
negative impacts on human health, infrastructure, energy, water Climate risks increase with the level of
resources and the economy. Climatic events on other continents global warming. The main risks in Europe
can affect Europe via globalised markets. are heat waves and their consequences
for human and ecosystem mortality and morbidity;
5 BIODIVERSITY UNDER
THREAT WORLDWIDE
agricultural yield losses due to heat waves and droughts;
water shortages, especially around the Mediterranean;
Ecosystems on which we depend have already reached and coastal and storm flooding. These risks are generally
the point of no return, notably due to water stress and exacerbated in urban and coastal environments,
heat waves on land and at sea (e.g. coral reefs). Up to particularly in the overseas territories.
20% of terrestrial species are threatened with
extinction if a global warming of 3°C is reached.
Unsustainable use of land and ocean resources is 7 ADAPTATION ALONE IS NOT
ENOUGH TO LIMIT THE INCREASE IN
having destructive effects on ecosystems on
CLIMATE RISKS
which we depend.
The "hard limits" of sea level rise, heat waves and droughts
6 ADAPTATION SOLUTIONS
EXIST AND THEIR APPLICATION
mean that mitigation of GHG emissions is urgent. Every
tenth of a degree of global warming makes
adaptation more complex
NEEDS TO BE STRENGTHENED
Limiting loss and damage requires rapid deployment
of adaptation solutions that are proven to be 8 THE WINDOW FOR ACTION
IS NARROWING
effective and feasible. Agro-ecology, forest management, Some of the impacts of climate change are irreversible.
water resource management and Adaptation is progressing, but it remains woefully
the mobilisation of local people's knowledge can inadequate in the face of rapid change. Any further
help prevent risks and identify solutions based on delay in mitigating and adapting to climate change risks
local ecosystems missing the short window of opportunity to secure a
sustainable future..
9 A TRANSITION TO CLIMATE-
RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT CAN 10 SYNERGIES BETWEEN
ONLY BE SYSTEMIC, INCLUSIVE, ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL LEVERS
JUST AND EQUITABLE Many adaptation levers, for example related to
Governments, people and private actors reduce risks food or urban planning, support the achievement of
more effectively through a coordinated, systemic and the UN Sustainable Development Goals: reduction
inclusive approach. A just and equitable transition of poverty, hunger, inequality, loss of biodiversity
facilitates adaptation and mitigation, while reducing and access to low-carbon energy. Climate change
inequalitiess. adaptation and greenhouse gas mitigation can be
mutually reinforcing.
Digest co-written by the french collective Pour un réveil écologique and authors from IPCC working group 3
10 KEY POINTS
from the latest IPCC report
Group 3 - Emissions reduction
1 EMISSION TRAJECTORIES
While some countries have succeeded in reducing their 2 URGENT NEED FOR ACTION
national emissions and to align with +2°C trajectories, global We are already on track to exceed the +1.5°C
greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are still rising. carbon budget by 2030, based on the current
Without new climate policies, warming could reach +2.2 energy mix. Yet new fossil fuel energy
to +3.5°C by the end of the century ! To keep it below investments are still underway.
+1.5°C, we need to reduce our emissions by at least WE NEED TO ACT QUICKLY, shut down
43% by 2030 and reach peak emissions before 2025. existing fossil plants and ban fossil fuel
investments.
3 EMISSIONS DISTRIBUTION
Emissions are unevenly distributed. 4 TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS
& SOCIETAL CHANGE
The richest 10% emit between 36 and 45% of all
Recent and rapid technological developments are
greenhouse gases. People in developed countries
facilitating the energy transition :
emit 13 tonnes of CO₂/year
on average, vs. 1.7 tonnes a year
for those in less developed countries.
5 AVOID/TRANSFORM/IMPROVE
Technological progress is necessary, however, it will not be The challenges are technological and physical but
enough, and must be monitored to avoid the rebound also and above all societal and political.
effect. For instance, long-distance mobility should be avoided (by Fundamental change in our food choices
plane especially), while mass transportation, walking or towards a less meat-intensive diet is an
biking should be favored. example of a powerful tool
Finally, improving energy efficiency is important,
particularly for buildings and industry. 7
CO₂ REMOVAL
Deployment of CO2 removal to offset
6 LEVERS FOR ACTION
One of the main levers for action is structural lifestyle
hard-to-abate residual emissions is
inevitable to achieve carbon neutrality but
transformation. Individual action, albeit will only have an impact substantial challenges lie ahead (with
if supported by far reaching overall change. respect to technology, land-management,
This transformation would allow a 40 to 70% reduction in and social acceptability, among others)
emissions, in particular through sufficiency policies
(set of policies and daily practices that avoid demand for
energy, materials, land and water while delivering human 8
CITIES
Cities and current urbanisation trends are a key driver
well-being for all within planetary boundaries)
of greenhouse gas emissions. A systemic
It is also crucial to :
transformation of our urban habits is needed and
Stop using fossil fuels through electrification coupled
could reduce our emissions by 26% by 2030.
with the decarbonisation of electricity
Stop deforestation and increase land restoration
9 REGULATION & FINANCE
More than half of global emissions are unregulated, yet this is a key
10 HUMAN HEALTH
GHG reduction also goes hand in hand
and under-utilised lever. For example, a carbon price of $100 per with many sustainable development
tonne of CO₂ would encourage mitigation measures that could goals, especially regarding human
halve global emissions by 2030. Overall, current investments in health : indoor and outdoor
transition are insufficient. An enormous challenge will be to air quality, active mobility,
bolster regulation in order to redirect available capital healthy diets, and others.
Digest co-written by the french collective Pour un réveil écologique and authors from IPCC working group 3
