IPCC Working Group III Report: Key Points

On April 4, 2022, the new report from IPCC Working Group III (IPCC — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). This latest report follows those of Working Groups I and II, which address, respectively, an overview of the climate crisis, by providing a synthesis of knowledge about past, present, and future climates, and the impacts of climate change, focusing on issues of adaptation and vulnerability.

This final section of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report examines the scenarios for reduced greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate change—in other words, the means of action.

After noting the continuous rise in greenhouse gas emissions and the increase in extreme weather events since the pre-industrial era, this latest report leaves no doubt: we must take radical action today, across all sectors, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Here we offer you a Summary of the report's key points.

Preamble: What Is the IPCC?

"The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988 to provide detailed assessments of the state of scientific, technical, and socioeconomic knowledge regarding climate change, its causes, its potential impacts, and strategies for addressing it.”

The IPCC does not, therefore, conduct new research; rather, it takes stock of the current state of knowledge based on a critical assessment of evidence drawn from scientific publications.

These assessments are provided to governments to help them develop policies and set guidelines, and serve as a basis for work during COP (Conference of the Parties) negotiations.

It consists of three working groups:

Group I It studies the physical foundations of climate and analyzes past, present, and future climates. It develops various possible scenarios based on humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Group II focuses on the vulnerability of human societies, ecosystems, and socioeconomic systems to climate change, the consequences of climate change, and adaptation options.
Group III studies climate change mitigation, the evaluation of methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

The Working Group III report of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report

The Working Group III report is thus the third part of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report. The Working Group I report was published in August 2021, and the Working Group II report in February 2022.

This report by Working Group III is the result of an analysis of 18,000 scientific publications by 278 authors, who reviewed more than 59,000 comments.

All documents related to Working Group III's report, "Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change," are available here.

What are the key takeaways from this report?

This report highlights the fact that the existing climate policies are insufficient. We are still a long way from the path that would allow us to achieve the goals set by the international community.

If we fail to drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, global warming will exceed 1.5 °C, bringing with it a host of consequences for ecosystems.

The report notes a a range of solutions to guide us toward a low-carbon world. While these solutions are already well known, it is worth noting that the concept of “sufficiency” is prominently highlighted—a first for the IPCC—which underscores the urgency of the situation.

The following paragraphs provide a (very brief) summary of the key points to take away from the report. However, we encourage you to read the available summary here.

Recent Developments and Current Trends

Total net anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continued to rise during the 2010–2019 period, as did cumulative net emissions since 1850. Average annual emissions during the 2010–2019 period were higher than those of all previous decades, However, the growth rate between 2010 and 2019 was lower than that recorded between 2000 and 2009.

Since 2010, net anthropogenic GHG emissions have increased in all major sectors (industry, energy, transportation, agriculture, construction) and around urban areas. Some reduction initiatives such as process improvement or energy efficiency, remain today insufficient compared to emissions resulting from the global increase in economic activity.
The distribution of GHG emissions continues to vary unevenly, both geographically and socially. For example, the 10% of households with the highest per capita emissions account for 34–45% of total household greenhouse gas emissions.
The costs of generating electricity from renewable energy sources have been steadily declining since 2010. Appropriate and comprehensive policies have enabled these low-carbon energy sources to grow, but less developed regions continue to face challenges—financial, technological, and others—in ensuring their deployment. While these sources offer hope, it is nevertheless important to keep in mind that renewable electricity generation is still very low on a global scale.

With regard to the mitigation policies and laws implemented since the IPCC’s last report in 2014—which, admittedly, remain insufficient—scientific research shows that they have nonetheless helped prevent several gigatons of CO2-equivalent emissions.

If we are to have any hope of meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, we must take action by 2030. Whether we consider scenarios that limit warming to +1.5°C or +2°C, it will be very difficult to stay within those limits during the 21st century unless we commit to a genuine mitigation pathway before 2030. The IPCC emphasizes the need—starting now—to phase out part of our coal, gas, and oil infrastructure ahead of schedule. Estimates show that if we continue to operate all of these facilities until the end of their lifespans, we will undoubtedly exceed the 1.5°C threshold.

Solutions to Limit Global Warming

Drastic reduction in emissions

We must drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. If we want to comply with the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5°C, Emissions must peak between 2020 and 2025 at the latest, and decline until carbon neutrality is achieved by 2050.

Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by nearly 50% by 2030 and by 80% by 2040 compared to 2019 to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5°C, and all greenhouse gases must be taken into account. With a global warming potential 30 times greater than that of CO₂, methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas. Reducing methane emissions is therefore a major and highly effective lever in the fight against climate change.

Simplicity

Changing our habits and adopting a more sustainable lifestyle would allow us to reduce our emissions by 40% to 70% by 2050. This is a key strategy that requires societal and political commitment.

Global Neutrality

In order to achieve global carbon neutrality, it is imperative to bring about a genuine transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy sources and to significantly expand carbon sinks—both technological and natural—by making better use of land and forests, for example.

Cities, which are currently major sources of emissions, have a clear role to play in achieving carbon neutrality. Among other things, the construction and use of infrastructure must be rethought to move toward net-zero. In this regard, we invite you to read the publication “The Role of Infrastructure in France’s Low-Carbon Transition and Adaptation to Climate Change" published in late 2021.

Negative emissions

The development of carbon sinks—whether natural or technological—is essential to achieving global carbon neutrality.

Technological Developments

Technological innovation aimed at reducing emissions (vehicle electrification, renewable energy, low-carbon building materials, etc.)is a key factor that should not be overlooked in the energy transition. However, it is not a comprehensive or sustainable solution.

Social Equity

The research compiled by the IPCC, beyond the modeling of physical flows, has also addressed the social aspects that promote the low-carbon transition. Equity and social justice strengthen the meaningful participation of all stakeholders and societies’ motivation to mitigate climate change. They may give rise to trade-offs, which could be resolved through political decisions.

Political and Financial Commitments

While climate policies are currently in place, they remain insufficient to bring about a transition. Without strong and radical new regulations, emissions will continue to rise beyond 2025, jeopardizing the 1.5°C and 2°C targets, which would still ensure a just and sustainable life on Earth.

For its part, the financial sector—which is essential to supporting and financing the transition—has been slow to bring about a genuine transition and is not making commitments commensurate with the challenges at hand. The financial sector must take responsibility and help fight climate change.

Conclusion

This latest IPCC report is clear: we must act today, now, immediately.

Solutions exist in every sector to reduce emissions on a large scale.

We must phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible and transition to low-carbon energy sources, such as nuclear power or renewable energy. The progress made in the field of renewable energy—in terms of falling costs and technological improvements—offers hope.

Policymakers must recognize the urgency of the situation, take ownership of the issue, and adopt concrete and ambitious measures to address the climate threat. They must also address inequalities and strive for social justice—a justice that is equitable and encourages society as a whole to mitigate climate change.

The financial sector also has a key role to play in supporting the transition to a low-carbon world. Although capital is widely available, it is still poorly allocated to address climate change.

The role of moderation and the transformation of our lifestyles is also essential and complementary.