“The IPCC has issued what could be seen as the final warning” – CAN-UK respond to latest IPCC report

Today, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have published its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) Working Group 1 (The Physical Science Basis) Summary for Policy Makers.

Catherine Pettengell, Director at Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK), said:

“The urgency of action could not be more clear. Today the IPCC has issued what could be seen as the final warning. World leaders must listen and must act – both for their own nations to thrive, and in solidarity with those on the front line of the climate crisis.

The window is still open for avoiding the worst impacts and risks. But will not be for much longer. Responsibility now sits on the shoulders of all world leaders to deliver at COP26.

For the last two weeks, governments have been literally signing off the findings of this report line-by-line. So there can be no more excuses. The reality is clearly laid out – the solutions are known – the only question that remains is whether there is the political will to act on the science and deliver on the promises in the Paris Agreement.

For many it is a matter of survival. Impacts are devastating communities and countries that have benefited least from a high emitting world, and impacts will continue to get worse. Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, providing the resources needed to adapt to climate change, and addressing the loss and damage from impacts are the promises of the Paris Agreement – promises that for many people around the world are a matter of life and death.

Today’s report is certainly uncomfortable reading – but the good news is that there is still time to act. That time is November 2021, in Glasgow, at COP26.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. The IPCC AR6 Working Group 1 Summary for Policy Makers can be found here.
2. For more details about the report, please contact Catherine Pettengell on 07967 494760 or [email protected]
3. Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) is the UK node of the world’s largest climate network made up of over 1,500 civil society organisations in over 130 countries. CAN-UK is formerly the Bond Development and Environment Group (DEG), and continues to work closely with Bond and its members on policy coordination and expertise on the people-nature-climate agenda.
4. Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
5. For further information or interviews please contact Maryam Mohsin on 07555 336029 or [email protected]