Read the post conference reflections from the organisers on where next for UK climate policy and research
Read the Royal Society's summary of the Sixth Assessment report and the implications for the UK.
Download the conference programme (PDF)
The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) delivers the starkest warning yet on the risks of climate change. The Royal Society brought together leading scientists, policy professionals and representatives from the energy and land use sectors to discuss the findings and implications of the IPCC AR6 reports.
What is the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report?
The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report provides the most comprehensive analyses of the latest climate science, impacts and vulnerabilities related to climate change. It highlights that immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are needed, alongside urgent actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. IPCC reports underpin major international climate agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
The three Working Groups of the IPCC presented the latest knowledge on:
- The physical science of climate change
- Climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability
- Mitigation of climate change: methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere
Working Group I reported on the most up-to-date physical science knowledge on climate change in August 2021. It highlighted that climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying. Working Group II published its report on impacts, adaptation and vulnerabilities at the end of February 2022 and Working Group III published a report on climate change mitigation at the beginning of April 2022.
Structure of the Conference
We heard from IPCC lead authors, working group chairs, policy professionals and representatives from the land-use and energy sectors as they reflected on the findings of the reports and explored the implications for policy and evidence-based action.
Day 1 considered the key findings of AR6, outcomes of COP26 and the implications for policy, land-use and the energy sector, and future IPCC activity. Day 2 aimed to identify the scientific research and collaborations needed to progress our knowledge of climate change and contribute to global climate policy and responses.
The conference took place at the Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG, and online.
For enquiries contact the Resilient Futures team