GENEVA, July 8 – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II, which deals with impacts, adaptation and vulnerability to climate change, will meet in Kathmandu, Nepal, next week to advance their contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6).

The Second Lead Author Meeting on 15 to 19 July 2019 will bring together more than 260 authors and IPCC Bureau members from more than 60 countries. It is hosted by the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

“Meeting here in Kathmandu reminds us in a very direct way of the strong interdependence of human and natural systems, and how both are threatened by climate change,” said Working Group II Co-Chair Debra Roberts. “The purpose of our report is to provide options for adaptation action that will enable cities like Kathmandu and ecosystems such as the high mountains to thrive and contribute towards improved well-being and sustainable development. Key aspects of our report and reasons to act on climate change are very evident here.”

The Working Group II contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report provides governments with an assessment of the latest scientific knowledge about the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and human systems and their vulnerabilities. It also analyses the capacities and limits of these systems to adapt to climate change and options to reduce climate-associated risks and to create a sustainable future.

In advance of the Second Lead Author Meeting, the initial draft of the report underwent an informal review. Comments from experts in various disciplines will be addressed when authors prepare the First Order Draft of the report.

“The internal draft and its careful review by experts have helped us to set the course for our assessment,” said Working-Group II Co-Chair Hans-Otto Pörtner. “Based on this, we will be able to provide governments with in-depth information for their efforts to reduce risks from climate change for ecosystems and human society, protect biodiversity, eradicate poverty and enhance sustainable development.”

The First Order Draft will be available for Expert Review from 18 October to 13 December 2019. The Second Order Draft will be open for Government and Expert Review from 7 August to 2 October 2020, along with the first draft of the Summary for Policymakers. The IPCC Panel is due to consider the Working Group II contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report at a plenary session on 4 to 8 October 2021.

In 2022, a Synthesis Report integrating the three Working Group contributions and Special Reports will complete the sixth assessment cycle. It will be released in time to inform the 2023 global stocktake by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when countries will review progress towards the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global warming to well below 2°C while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.