The time for action is now: Understanding the most recent reports of the IPCC

The reports which assess the risks of climate change and the possibilities for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases were published this year.  The authors' assessments urge immediate action. Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption in nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around the world, despite efforts to reduce the risks. Although the rate of growth of annual global greenhouse gas emissions has slowed since 2019, without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach.

Lead authors on both working groups from IIASA and institutions including the University of Graz, the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change, the University of Zurich, and the Mediterranean Institute for Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology will present findings from different aspects of the reports and answer questions over the two day online event.

IIASA Systemic Risk and Resilience Research Group Leader Reinhard Mechler and lead author on the IPCC Working Group II report will present on possible decision pathways. IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program Director and IPCC Working Group III coordinating lead author Keywan Riahi, will discuss alternative climate scenarios. Volker Krey, IIASA Integrated Assessment and Climate Change Research Group Leader, will present on European political measures.