Nations are meeting in Hangzhou to finalize the timing and content of the upcoming UN climate science assessment by the IPCC. The talks are complicated by the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and resistance from certain countries against an expedited timeline for the report, which is critical for the 2028 UN stocktake. A broad coalition emphasizes the importance of evidence-based decisions for future climate policies.
Representatives from nearly 200 nations are convening in Hangzhou, China, to discuss the next significant assessment by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This meeting follows the hottest year on record, intensifying concerns about climate change. The United States’ absence, after withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, adds complexity to the discussions on the timing and content of this critical report on global warming science.
The focus of these negotiations involves the production of a comprehensive three-part assessment that addresses the physical science of climate change, its impacts, and solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The key question is whether this report can be published in time for a crucial 2028 UN stocktake intended to evaluate global warming responses. Wealthy nations and developing countries facing severe climate impacts favor an expedited timeline, while some oil-exporting nations, particularly India and China, have expressed opposition.
The High Ambition Coalition, which consists of European nations and vulnerable countries, emphasizes that timely and updated scientific information is essential for the credibility of the Paris climate agreement. They articulated the need to base climate decisions on the best available scientific evidence, considering the current impacts of the climate crisis on people and future generations.
Recent assessments indicate that the world could surpass the Paris Agreement’s warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius by the early 2030s, with some studies suggesting it may occur even sooner. The meeting is seen as an opportunity to address these pressing concerns, as stakeholders push for the timely completion of the IPCC reports prior to the 2028 stocktake.
The 39-member Association of Small Island States, which includes nations highly threatened by climate change, has also urged participants to prioritize the timely delivery of the IPCC assessments. This reflects a broader understanding that accessible climate science is vital for global survival as sea levels rise dramatically due to warming.
The ongoing negotiations among nearly 200 countries highlight the urgency of producing timely climate assessments to inform global efforts to combat climate change. Despite differing perspectives on the timeline and content of the IPCC’s forthcoming report, there is a clear consensus on the importance of relying on updated scientific data to underpin global climate policies. Failure to align timelines with the anticipated 2028 stocktake may jeopardize the integrity of international climate agreements.
Original Source: www.france24.com
