What are IPCC’s assessment reports?

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate change

Context:

Since 1988, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has produced six assessment reports, three special reports, and methodology reports that provide guidelines for estimating greenhouse gas emissions and removal.

Details:

Three reports from the IPCC’s sixth assessment cycle (AR6) were published in 2021-2022.
These documents — prepared by scientists from the 195 countries that are part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) — examine the science, consequences, adaptation, and vulnerability as well as the mitigation aspects of climate change.
Over the years, these reports have substantiated the fact that the planet is warming and that humans bear primary responsibility.

What did the report say?

The recent report, known as the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), highlighted the urgent need to limit the global average surface temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as targeted by the Paris Agreement.
It noted that the window for achieving this goal is closing rapidly and that we are nearing the limits of adaptation.
The report offered strategies for slowing warming and enhancing resilience and adaptation in both natural and human-made systems.
Following AR6, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) began its seventh assessment cycle (AR7) by electing a new bureau.

What will the AR7 cycle produce?

During the AR7 cycle discussions in Turkey, the IPCC Bureau decided to produce a comprehensive set of reports, including full assessment and synthesis reports, methodology reports, and a single special report.
The full assessment reports will consist of contributions from three Working Groups and a synthesis report, following the format of previous cycles.
The decision took into account the availability of new literature, the need for climate model simulations, engagement with under-represented communities, and the workload on the IPCC’s technical support unit and authors.
Two methodology reports will focus on short-lived climate forcers, such as methane, and carbon removal techniques.
Additionally, technical guidelines on impacts and adaptation will be revised. Despite suggestions from countries to cover 28 topics in special reports, the bureau opted to produce just one special report specifically addressing climate change and cities.

Timeline for the reports:

Member countries proposed that the IPCC assessment reports for the AR7 cycle be completed by 2028 to align with the Global Stocktake (GST), but the bureau has yet to decide on a release date.
Concerns were raised that a shortened cycle might undermine the quality of the reports due to potential limitations in publishing new research and completing comprehensive climate modelling.
Additionally, a constrained timeline could hinder effective engagement with under-represented countries.
A final decision on the timeline for the assessment reports is expected to be made at the 61st session of the IPCC.

Source: TH