Report to boost climate action calls globally

Significance

Drawing on more than 14,000 peer-reviewed studies, the report summarises contemporary science on climate change and finds that it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, oceans and land. The report will underpin climate negotiations and policymaking, and place increased pressure on governments and businesses to act.

Impacts

• Governments will face pressure to make climate targets more ambitious ahead of COP26.
• Increasing numbers of climate litigation cases from environmental campaigners will be filed against governments and businesses.
• Carbon removal technology threatens to give excuses to those reluctant to act on reducing emissions.