IPCC 4th Report Mitigation of Climate Change

The Working Group III contribution to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) focuses on new literature on the scientific, technological, environmental, economic and social aspects of mitigation of climate change, published since the IPCC Third Assessment Report (TAR).

To gain an appreciation of the depth and coverage of this summary, the IPCC informs us that 168 lead authors, 55 of these coming from developing countries and 106 authors from developed countries were involved. In addition there were 84 contributing authors and 485 expert reviewers.

Defining Climate Mitigation and Adaptation

You may have noticed that the Working Group II report included adaptation and this report focuses on mitigation. Below are brief definitions of each term, although a separate page discuses these differences in more detail.

Climate mitigation is any action taken to permanently eliminate or reduce the long-term risk and hazards of climate change to human life, property.

Climate adaptation refers to the ability of a system to adjust to climate change (including climate variability and extremes) to moderate potential damage, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences.

The following key areas were considered by the Working Group III in addressing Mitigation of Climate Change:

Greenhouse gas emission trends

Mitigation in the short and medium term (until 2030)

Mitigation in the long term (after 2030)

Policies, measures and instruments to mitigate climate change

Sustainable development and climate change mitigation