The last few weeks
have seen deadly forest fires in Greece and Turkey, record-breaking heatwaves
in the United States and floods in Europe and China. From isolated events only
a few years ago, we are now seeing consistent patterns in ways the weather is
changing on account of climate change.  

It is at such a
time that the Geneva-based Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
will come out with the first part of its sixth assessment report on Monday.

The IPCC
assessment report is the most widely accepted view on status of the Earth’s
health. The first part of the sixth assessment is set to focus on the latest scientific
understanding of the climate change system, how and why it is changing and the
impact of human activities in the process.

The second part of
the report will deal with expected impacts of climate change. The third part,
which will come out next year, is expected to delve into ways to prevent the
worst impacts of climate change.

What is the IPCC?

Established in
1988, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forms the basis for climate
change negotiations at the international level. The IPCC has spearheaded efforts
to restrict the rise of global temperatures over the last two decades.

What is the
significance of IPCC assessment reports?

The IPCC reports
form the basis for understanding of the climate system. The first report, which
came out in 1990, was the first major study that categorically stated that rise
in global surface temperature since the 1950s was most likely due to human
activities.

The fourth IPCC
assessment report won the Nobel Peace Prize.

What can we expect
from the sixth assessment report?

IPCC’s sixth
assessment report, the first part of which is due to be released on Monday, is
likely to provide actionable information to governments in countering climate
changes. IPCC is also expected to take a more localised view of climate change
events and closely monitor extreme weather events.

Why is it
important?

IPCC assessment
reports go a long way in driving global dialogue on climate change. The first
IPCC report influenced the setting up of the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change. The second report formed the bases for the Kyoto Protocol and the fifth
report guided the Paris Agreement.