IPCC’s 6th Assessment on climate change mitigation

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been the leading, and most factually reliable, source of information on climate change issues and global policy recommendations, and they released their latest publication on the 4 April 2022. Titled ‘The Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change’  it is the third instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report that would be completed this year.

Since 2010, IPCC has pointed out that the average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history, but also that the growth of emission levels has been decreasing substantially. It is not substantial enough, however as without interventions, including immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to the 1.5ºC proposed in the Paris Accord would not be possible. 

Yet the science and development factor has been showing promise, with renewable energy generation tools, such as solar panels, wind turbines and the batteries that come with them, have shown an 85 percent decrease in cost, with increasing levels of efficiency. Even the rates of deforestation has been decreasing across the board, further helping the mitigation efforts.

“We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee.  “I am encouraged by climate action being taken in many countries. There are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective.  If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation.”

Backed by 278 authors from 65 countries, the AR6 Working Group III, along with another 354 contributing authors, all armed with over 18,000 cited references and a total of 59,212 expert and government review comments to bolster the document, the report stresses on proper policy making by governments. “Having the right policies, infrastructure and technology in place to enable changes to our lifestyles and behaviour can result in a 40-70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This offers significant untapped potential,” said IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Priyadarshi Shukla. “The evidence also shows that these lifestyle changes can improve our health and wellbeing.”

The report quite succinctly purports that “Cities and other urban areas also offer significant opportunities for emissions reductions.  These can be achieved through lower energy consumption (such as by creating compact, walkable cities), electrification of transport in combination with low-emission energy sources, and enhanced carbon uptake and storage using nature. There are options for established, rapidly growing and new cities.”

The next most important point noted in the report is the lack of time left to bring about the necessary changes. It has been observed that to limit warming at 1.5ºC, it would require global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2021 at the latest and be reduced by 43 percent by 2030. There is the definite possibility that the temperature threshold would most possibly be exceeded but such changes would allow it to return to below that threshold by the end of the century. The temperature will stabilise when carbon dioxide emissions reach net zero (ie. the CO2 released due to industry and civilisation is being absorbed back into the ecosystem equally). 

There is also a look at closing investment gaps when it comes to technologies revolving around climate change mitigation, noting that “while financial flows are a factor of three to six times lower than levels needed by 2030 to limit warming to below 2°C (3.6°F), there is sufficient global capital and liquidity to close investment gaps.” They continue to point out that, “however, it relies on clear signalling from governments and the international community, including a stronger alignment of public sector finance and policy.”

The report further touches upon the multifaceted benefits of climate change mitigation efforts. By introducing more green spaces in cities, switching over to more renewable energy driven infrastructure and consumer products, exploring avenues of businesses that are being introduced due to developments in technology, as well as increased attention given to public transport can enhance health, employment, and equity, for starters.

In the concluding remarks of the IPCC press release, the tone is hopeful and optimistic. “Climate change is the result of more than a century of unsustainable energy and land use, lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production,” said Skea. “This report shows how taking action now can move us towards a fairer, more sustainable world.”

The report is a compilation of updated global climate change mitigation progress and pledges, and also real time studies of global emissions levels. It endeavours to cover more avenues, such as the ‘demand side’ of climate change, such consumerism in regards to greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the report also describes carbon dioxide removal techniques, on top of the innovation, technology development and transfer, that can, with proper implementation of well-designed policies, can contribute to fending off the global threat.

This effort by the IPCC, however, would be moot in the face of global inaction. Governments need to be more mindful and forward thinking, with increased attention given to curbing big industries and their high levels of emissions. Developing national infrastructure needs to be reconsidered and made more sustainable.