IPCC AR6 made easy
This document guides you to selected documents from the Sixth Assessment Cycle (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and provides quick facts and numbers about the various reports.
IPCC documents and audiences
Summary for Policymakers (SPM)
Every IPCC report starts with a Summary for Policymakers (SPM). Similarly to all elements of the reports, the SPM is subject to expert and government reviews. In contrast to all other reports, every sentence of the SPM has to be approved by the governments. The underlying report is accepted as a whole. Authors decide if amendments proposed by the governments are scientifically correct. In this way, governments explicitly acknowledge the scientific statements of the IPCC.
Technical Summary (TS)
The Technical Summary (TS) provides audiences with an interest in scientific details with an extended policy-neutral summary. Based on the Executive Summaries of the chapters, the Technical Summary usually reflects the structure of the whole report. Like the report itself and the SPM, the Technical Summary is also reviewed by experts and government representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) form an important communications tool within the IPCC reports. They are mandatory parts of the reports, and intended for a more general audience. In addition to policy and practice, also media or educational institutions use these short texts that are often accompanied by graphics. Many FAQs explain concepts that are crucial for understanding a report or highlight findings that are especially relevant for society. Since the beginning of the Sixth Assessment Cycle, the FAQs are also collected in a separate document and listed online.
The Special Reports of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Cycle
Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR1.5)
Global Warming of 1.5°C –An IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty.
SR1.5 in numbers
• 91 leading authors and authors from 40 countries
• 6,000 studies assessed
• 42,001 review comments
• lauch: 8 October 2018 (Incheon, Republic of Korea)
"Every bit of warming matters. Every year matters. Every choice matters."
Climate Change and Land (SRCCL)
Climate Change and Land – An IPCC Special Report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems.
SRCCL in numbers
• 107 leading authors and authors from 52 countries
• 7,000 studies assessed
• 28,275 review comments
• launch: 8 August 2019 (Geneva, Switzerland)
"Land is under growing human pressure. Land is a part of the solution. But land can't do it all."
The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC)
Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate
SROCC in Zahlen
• 104 leading authors and authors from 36 countries
• 6,981 ausgewertete Studien
• 31.176 studies assessed
• launch: 25 September 2019 (Monaco)
“Our Ocean and Cryosphere: They sustain us. They are under pressure. Their changes affect all our lives. The time for action is now.“
The Sixth Assessment Report
The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report comprises the contributions of the three Working Groups and the Synthesis Report.
Working Group I (WGI): The Physical Science Basis
The WGI Report in numbers
• 234 leading authors and authors from 66 countries
• more than 14,000 studies
• 78,007 review comments
• launch: 9 August 2021 (virtual)
Working Group II (WGII): Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
The WGII Report in numbers
• 270 leading authors and authors from 67 countries
• 56,641 review comments
• launch: 28 February 2022 (virtual)
Working Group III (WGIII): Mitigation of Climate Change
screenshot: IPCC
The WGIII Report in numbers
• 278 leading authors and authors from 65 countries
• 59,212 review comments
• launch: 4 April 2022 (hybrid)
Synthesis Report (SYR): Climate Change 2023
Screenshot: IPCC AR6 SYR
Synthesis Report in numbers
• 93 leading authors and authors from 40 countries
• over 100,000 literature articles assessed
• over 300,000 review comments
• launch: 20 March 2023 (hybrid)
Status as of March 2023
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IPCC made easy_March 2023 (686 KB)