- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published the latest volume of their 6th Assessment Report – Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.
- The report shows that the impacts of climate change are already with us and will affect us more severely than previously thought, with the most vulnerable being hardest hit.
Human health and livelihoods are being devastated, unique ecosystems are being irreparably damaged, and many species have become extinct. Although the report indicates that adaptation action is taking place in all regions of the world, our attempts at adapting to climate change impacts have fallen short.
Adaptation limits have already been reached in places across the globe and more will emerge as temperatures rise especially if 1.5°C of global warming is exceeded. Yet, despite a narrowing window for action, the report gives cause for hope.
With a decisive and immediate response, bringing transformational adaptation together with rapid mitigation led by countries’ plans, we can create a climate resilient society, with benefits for all.
“We must urgently accelerate our efforts to keep 1.5C in reach through revisiting and strengthening 2030 targets, delivering support, investment and employment opportunities.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change urges collective delivery on the Paris Agreement including through the Glasgow Climate Pact, and countries must further strengthen their pledges and urgently implement them at scale in Sharm el-Sheikh and beyond. Developed countries must follow through on their commitment to at least double their climate finance for adaptation to developing countries by 2025 aiming at achieving balance between funding for adaptation and mitigation.
Link to the full report ‘Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Working Group II Contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report’, HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
