Reacción a "Reactions to the IPCC synthesis report urging more ambitious action to combat climate change"

With the Synthesis Report (SYR), the IPCC completed the sixth most productive assessment cycle in its history, consisting of three special reports, a methodology update and contributions from the three working groups. These reports present the state of the art on the science of climate change, including its impacts on society and ecosystems. The synthesis report, as its name implies, summarises the main findings of this assessment cycle. The information presented by the IPCC gives us a better understanding of how the climate has changed, the effects of those changes and the solutions available to address the negative consequences.

The IPCC confirms once again that, as humanity, we are responsible for the observed global warming and that not all countries have contributed equally to the problem. Furthermore, the report confirms the findings of the previous report on 1.5°C of global warming, published in 2018, as it states that it is still possible to limit global warming, and thus the projected risks and impacts, to 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial era. However, current trends are not compatible with a sustainable and equitable planet for its inhabitants and ecosystems. The challenge is growing.  

1.5°C is the most ambitious limit of the Paris Agreement and also the limit that poses the least risk to humanity and the ecosystems that inhabit it. However, the window of opportunity we have as humanity is closing. Rapid, deep and, in most cases, immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors this decade are needed to limit warming by 1.5°C.  

The IPCC assessment tells us once again that we can no longer delay climate action. The longer we delay, the less feasible adaptation measures become (those that are feasible now may not be feasible in a warmer future). The greater the warming, the greater the losses and damages, especially in already vulnerable communities and regions. This assessment cycle has emphasised vital aspects of the interconnectedness between climate, ecosystems, biodiversity and society (including equity and justice). Everything is connected: we need climate-resilient development. 

There is sufficient technology and funding for the implementation of actions to adapt to observed and projected changes, as well as for actions to mitigate climate change. It is not a lack of resources, but barriers to allocating resources for climate action that also contributes to a just sustainable future. 

While IPCC reports are not prescriptive, they are highly relevant for global policy, especially for negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Current climate policies (NDCs) are not sufficient to limit warming according to the limits of the PA (Paris Agreement). So with this information, in the next round of climate change negotiations in the United Arab Emirates, governments must move from talk to action.