All action on the ‘Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report’ to be released on March 20, will start this Monday, when the approval session begins for the new climate science report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The panel will be headed by scientists and government representatives that will highlight the devastating reality and risks posed by the climate crisis, the many solutions available and the ways in which the world must respond.

WWF climate scientists hope landmark IPCC report will help push governments to take immediate action and harness the benefits of phasing-out fossil fuels, slashing emissions and restoring nature

According to Dr Stephanie Roe, WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead Scientist and Lead Author of the report, evidence shows we are not yet doing enough to respond to the climate crisis. With current emissions still at their highest level in human history, we are way off course, and the window to limit warming to 1.5ºC is rapidly closing. 

“The science also clearly shows that we have the solutions within our grasp. In some cases we have started to implement these solutions, with various countries already achieving sustained emissions reductions, but action is not yet at the scale or speed we need. The sooner and more decisively we act, the sooner people and nature can reap the benefits of a cleaner, safer and more stable futureâ€_x009d_, Roe added. 

As per the findings, the report will put emphasis on the alarming ambition gap. It is revealed that despite some positive policy initiatives, greenhouse gas emissions continued to climb to the highest levels in human history and that we are way off track to limit warming to below catastrophic levels. 

Current policy and financial pledges to 2030 make it impossible to limit warming to 1.5°C. According to the findings from previous IPCC reports, our climate was in ‘code red’ with CO₂ concentration at its highest level in two million years and sea level rise at its fastest rate in 3000 years.

Dr Stephen Cornelius, WWF Global Deputy Lead for Climate and Energy, emphasised on how leaders must heed the science and act immediately with the pace and scale necessary to decarbonise our economies in time.  “The clock is ticking and we are running out of time, and no countries are yet on track for a 1.5^ºC pathway. An accelerated phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to limit global warming to below 1.5^oC and avoid the worst climate change risks. Nature is our secret ally in the fight against climate change.  We can’t hope to limit warming to 1.5°C, adapt to climate change and save lives and livelihoods, unless we also act urgently to safeguard and restore nature,â€_x009d_ he added.