The IPCC Report Delayed, but COP26 Goes Ahead: What Does This Mean for Climate Data?

How will they hold COP26 if the IPCC hasn’t finished the report?

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021. The conference is expected to bring together world leaders, climate scientists, activists, and other stakeholders to discuss and take action on climate change. However, the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has not yet been released, leading many to question how COP26 can take place without the latest scientific data.

The IPCC report: What is it?

The IPCC is an intergovernmental body responsible for assessing the science of climate change. It was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The IPCC produces periodic assessment reports that provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the state of global climate change science. The reports are based on the work of thousands of scientists from around the world who review and synthesize the latest research on climate change.
The latest IPCC report, known as the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), is divided into three parts. The first part, to be released in August 2021, focuses on the physical science basis of climate change. The second part, to be released in early 2022, will focus on impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. The third part, also to be released in early 2022, will focus on mitigation actions that can be taken to address climate change.

What does the delay mean?

The delay in the release of the second and third parts of the IPCC report has caused concern among some climate scientists and activists. The report is seen as a crucial tool for policymakers because it provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the state of global climate change science. Without this information, they argue, it will be difficult for policymakers to make informed decisions about how best to address climate change.

Others, however, point out that the delay in releasing the report does not necessarily mean that the science is outdated. The IPCC report is based on the work of thousands of scientists from around the world who review and synthesize the latest research on climate change. Even if the report is delayed, the underlying science is still being conducted and published in scientific journals.

How will COP26 address this?

Despite the delay in the release of the IPCC report, COP26 is still scheduled to take place in November 2021. However, there are a number of ways in which the conference will address the issue of climate data.

First, the conference will provide a platform for scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss and share the latest research on climate change. This will help ensure that policy makers have access to the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on climate science.

Second, the conference will focus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The Paris Agreement is based on the best available science, and implementation of its goals will require continued scientific research and monitoring.

Conclusion

The delay in the release of the second and third parts of the IPCC report has caused concern among some climate scientists and activists. However, it is important to remember that the underlying science is still being conducted and published in scientific journals. COP26 will provide a platform for scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss and share the latest research on climate change. The focus on implementing the Paris Agreement will help ensure that the best available science is used to inform climate policy.

FAQs

Q1: What is COP26?

A1: COP26 is the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021.

Q2: What is the IPCC report?

A2: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) produces periodic Assessment Reports which provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the state of global climate change science. The latest report, known as the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), is divided into three parts and is based on the work of thousands of scientists from around the world.

Q3: Why hasn’t the IPCC finished the report yet?

A3: The second and third parts of the IPCC report have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report is still being written and reviewed by scientists from around the world.

Q4: How will COP26 address the lack of the latest scientific data?

A4: COP26 will provide a platform for scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss and share the latest research on climate change. The conference will also focus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which is based on the best available science and aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Q5: Why is the IPCC report important for climate policy?

A5: The IPCC report is a crucial tool for policymakers as it provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the state of global climate change science. It helps policymakers make informed decisions about how best to address climate change and limit its impacts on the planet and its inhabitants.

Q6: What are some concerns raised by the delay in the release of the IPCC report?

A6: Some concerns raised by the delay in the release of the IPCC report include the potential for outdated scientific data to inform climate policy decisions and the delay in addressing urgent climate change issues.

Q7: Is the delay in the release of the IPCC report a cause for alarm?

A7: While the delay in the release of the IPCC report may be a cause for concern, it is important to remember that the underlying science is still being conducted and published in scientific journals. COP26 will provide a platform for the latest research to be shared and discussed, helping to ensure that policymakers have access to the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on climate science.