WG1 - AR6 Climate change 2021: The physical science basis

Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis (IPCC AR6 WG1 2021)1 is the first instalment of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report, released in August 2021. This publication, prepared by Working Group I, provides the most current and comprehensive assessment of the physical science of climate change.

It underscores the unequivocal influence of human activities on the Earth's climate system, noting that global warming has reached approximately 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. The report highlights the critical need for immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.

By detailing the latest advancements in climate science, the report serves as an essential scientific foundation for global climate policy, aiming to guide governments and stakeholders in taking effective action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

  1. IPCC AR6 WG1. 2021. Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group i to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Edited by V. Masson-Delmotte, P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S. L. Connors, C. Péan, S. Berger, N. Caud, et al. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157896. ↩