The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced the finalization of its Synthesis Report of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) during its 58th Session held in Interlaken, Switzerland, March 13-19, 2023. The IPCC also published a Summary for Policymakers (the Summary) in advance of the release of the Synthesis Report, as well as a Longer Report and a Presentation. The Synthesis Report integrates the main findings of the AR6 and provides an overview of the state of knowledge of climate change, its widespread impacts and risks, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Synthesis Report has been highly anticipated and is the last of the Sixth Assessment Report products, due for release in time to inform the 2023 Global Stocktake under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It provides an unprecedented level of scientific analysis and indicates that there are numerous, feasible, and effective options currently available to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change. Media reports from the New York Times emphasized that the Earth is likely to cross a critical global warming threshold by 2030 without rapid and drastic reductions in global GHG emissions. Reuters, quoting from the Summary, noted that “there is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all”. This bulletin briefly highlights key findings of the Synthesis Report included in the Summary. The Summary is divided into the following three sections: Current Status and Trends, which covers the historical and present period. Future Climate Change, Risks, and Long-Term Responses, which addresses projected futures up to 2100 and beyond. Responses in the Near Term, which considers current international policy timeframes, and the time interval between now and 2030-2040. Current Status and Trends. The Summary notes that: Human activities, principally through emissions of GHGs have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C above 1850–1900 in 2011–2020,…
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced climate adaptation and resilience plans for more than 20 federal agencies. The plans were developed by each agency and are available through the Whitehouse website. The agency plans focus on: Safeguarding federal investments by identifying programs and missions most at risk from climate change. Identifying leadership and accountability by identifying senior leadership and creating accountability structures to ensure top-down adaptation and resilience leadership. Developing a more resilient supply chain by updating supply chain policies and operations to create a more climate-resilient system. Enhancing protections for workers and communities by providing for implementing better support for workers vis-à-vis the impacts of climate change. Building a more equitable future by providing for actions that support President Biden’s environmental justice objectives. The Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Building are seeking public comments on the plans. Interested parties can submit comments online until November 6, 2021. For further information or to discuss the contents of this bulletin, please contact Lisa DeMarco at lisa@resilientllp.com.