The document summarizes key findings from the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report. It finds that human activity is extremely likely the dominant cause of global warming since the mid-20th century. If greenhouse gas emissions continue, the report warns of consequences like more extreme weather, water shortages, displaced populations, and impacts on food production. However, the summary also finds that limiting global temperature rise to 2°C is possible with ambitious emissions reductions, though the window for action is closing rapidly.

1. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
OUTREACH EVENT ON THE IPCC FIFTH ASSESSMENT REPORT
Istanbul – Turkey
Lučka Kajfež Bogataj
Review editor for WGII

2. Climate Change is a Large Issue
Majority of the sciences and engineering
disciplines are involved.
Social sciences are interested.
Business/Industry has a stake.
Involves citizens, politicians, public policy experts,
and advocates.
Every sector of the economy affected.
All aspects of our lives touched:
environment, jobs, health, politics, national
security, arts, religion, etc.

3. What is happening in the
climate system?
What are the risks?
What can be done?

4. Evolution of primary energy

5. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Sources of emissions
Energy production remains the primary driver of GHG emissions
35%
24% 21% 14%
6.4%
2010 GHG emissions
Energy Sector
Agriculture,
forests and
other land uses
Industry Transport
Building
Sector
AR5 WGIII SPM

6. Fate of Anthropogenic CO2 Emissions
26%
32.4±1.6 GtCO2/yr 91%
3.3±1.8 GtCO2/yr 9% 29%
44%

7. –18°C +15°C
Earth without air Our planet
+
33°C
If the world had no atmosphere, it would
be very cold

8. Natural GHG effect
33 °C
Other GHG <1 °C
CO2 2 °C
H2O 31 °C
–18oC
+15oC

9. BUT THE COMPOSITION OF
AIR IS CHANGING RAPIDLY
due to human activities:
→ more GHG (CO2, CH4, NOx...)
→ more aerosol (air pollution)

11. Enhanced GHG
effect
33 °C
+ 1 °C
Other GHG <1 °C
CO2 2 °C + 1oC
H2O 31 °C
–18oC
+16oC

12. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Year
Globally averaged combined land and ocean surface
temperatures
It is extremely likely that we are the dominant cause of warming
since the mid-20th century
AR5 WGI SPM
Humans are changing the climate

13. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
2014 is the warmest year in the record
Year
Global average annual temperatures since 1880 ( NOAA )
The dark red columns represent the 10 warmest years in the record

14. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Antropogenic forcings are extremely likely the cause of warming

16. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Oceans absorb most of the heat
More than 90% of the
energy accumulating in
the climate system
between 1971 and 2010
has accumulated in the
ocean
AR5 SYR

17. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Impacts are already underway
• Tropics to the poles
• On all continents and in the ocean
• Affecting rich and poor countries
(but the poor are more vulnerable
everywhere)
AR5 WGII SPM

18. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
HUMAN INFLUENCE: Some changes in extreme weather and
climate events observed since ~1950 are linked to human activity
AR5 WGI SPM
In a number of regions,
impacts are already
underway:
• decrease in cold
temperature extremes
• increase in warm
temperature extremes
• increase in extreme
high sea levels
• increase in the number
of heavy precipitation
events

19. Global natural disasters 1980 – 2013
Geophysical, meteorological, hydrological events

20. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Projected climate changes
Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further
warming and changes in the climate system
Global glacier volume will
further decrease
Global mean sea level will
continue to rise during the
21st century
It is very likely that the Arctic sea
ice cover will continue to shrink
and thin as global mean surface
temperature rises
Oceans will continue to warm
during the 21st century
AR5 WGI SPM

22. Warming over the 21st century
Based on WGII Figure SPM 4

24. Projections Europe (RCP4.5)
2081-2100 versus 1986-2005
Temperature (oC) Precipitation (%)
winter summer winter half summer half

26. +2°
+4°
PROBLEMATIC
• 1 - 2 billion additional people with water stress
• Impacts on cereal productivity at low latitudes
• Increased coastal flooding and storms
• Greater depth of seasonal permafrost thaw
DISASTROUS
• A 16 ºC increase in the Arctic
• 1.1 - 3.2 billion additional people with water stress
• Widespread coral mortality; risk of major
extinctions around the globe
• Substantial global impact on major crops
• Long-term prospect of sea level rise
Global temperature rise

27. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Potential Impacts of Climate Change
Food and water shortages
Increased poverty
Increased displacement of
people
Coastal flooding
AR5 WGII SPM

28. Climate Change impacts
Climate
Change
Impacts
Physical
systems
(ice, rivers, etc.)
Biological
& seasonal
cycles
Economy:
infrastructure,
output, growth
Stern Report (UK, 2006)
Human
Well-being
Indirect
impacts Wealth (and distribution);
local environment; etc.
Direct health
impacts (heat,
extreme events...)
Food yields

29. Climate change: A Multiplier for Instability

30. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Climate Change Poses Risk for Food Production
AR5 SYR SPM

31. Facing the dangers from climate change…
…there are only three options:
Mitigation, meaning measures to reduce the
pace & magnitude of the changes in global
climate being caused by human activities.
Adaptation, meaning measures to reduce the
adverse impacts on human well-being resulting
from the changes in climate that do occur.
Suffering the adverse impacts that are not
avoided by either mitigation or adaptation.

32. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Limiting Temperature Increase to 2˚C
A combination of adaptation and substantial, sustained reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions can limit climate change risks
Implementing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions poses
substantial technological, economic, social, and institutional
challenges
But delaying mitigation will substantially increase the
challenges associated with limiting warming to 2°C
AR5 WGI SPM, AR5 WGII SPM,AR5 WGIII SPM
Measures exist to achieve the substantial emissions reductions
required to limit likely warming to 2°C (40-70% reduction in GHGs
globally by 2050 and near zero GHGs in 2100)

33. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Mitigation Measures
More efficient use of energy
Greater use of low-carbon and no-carbon energy
• Many of these technologies exist today
Improved carbon sinks
• Reduced deforestation and improved forest management
and planting of new forests
• Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage
Lifestyle and behavioural changes
AR5 WGIII SPM

34. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Ambitious Mitigation Is Affordable
➜ Economic growth reduced by ~ 0.06%
(BAU growth 1.6 - 3%)
➜ This translates into delayed and not forgone
growth
➜ Estimated cost does not account for the
benefits of reduced climate change
➜ Unmitigated climate change would create
increasing risks to economic growth
AR5 WGI SPM, AR5 WGII SPM

35. Comparison of the global 2oC carbon budget
with fossil fuel resertves CO2 emissions potential

36. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
The window for action is rapidly closing
65% of our carbon budget compatible with a 2°C goal already used
Amount Used
1870-2011:
1900
GtCO2
Amount
Remaining:
1000
GtCO2
Total Carbon
Budget:
2900
GtCO2
AR5 WGI SPM

37. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
The Choices We Make Will Create Different Outcomes
With substantial
mitigation
Without
additional
mitigation
Change in average surface temperature (1986–2005 to 2081–2100)
AR5 WGI SPM

38. Future CO2 concentrations
Long term limit for reefs
Countries‘ individual proposed efforts not sufficient !!!

39. Intended Nationally Current trends
Determined Contributions

40. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
Key Messages
➜ Human influence on the climate system is clear
➜ The more we disrupt our climate, the more we
risk severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts
➜ We have the means to limit climate change and
build a more prosperous, sustainable future
AR5 WGI SPM, AR5 WGII SPM, AR5 WGIII SPM

41. IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report
IPCC Fifth Assessment Report