IPCC AR6 WG2 – Part 1

IPCC AR6 WG2 – Part 1#

Before the workshop#

  1. Access the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) from the IPCC AR6 WG2 report here.

  2. Skim through the SPM up until Section C: Adaptation Measures and Enabling Conditions (excluded), and identify the key messages and figures.

Introduction#

(15 minutes)

Fabien will briefly explain the role of the IPCC, Working Group 2 (Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability), and Working Group 1 (Physical Science Basis). We’ll then form thematic groups and introduce the breakout group activity.

Note on key terms

In this workshop, we use the concept of climate risk, defined as arising from the interaction between:

  • Hazards: climate-related events or trends

  • Exposure: what is in harm’s way

  • Vulnerability: how susceptible that exposed system is to harm

We’ll use the term impact to refer to the realized or expected effects, i.e. the actual or projected harm that results from that interaction.

Breakout groups#

For the first two workshops on IPCC WG2, you will be split into three groups. Each group will be assigned a broader theme (see below) and will discuss it in more depth. The goal is to identify the key impacts within your theme and to choose one specific impact to work on in more detail for the next workshop.

The timings below are indicative and can be adjusted as needed.

(Quiet) reading time#

(~30 minutes)

Each group reads the relevant parts of the SPM — this now includes Section C and beyond — and identifies as many impacts as possible related to their theme. Each member should list these impacts individually and take personal notes.

Consider the time horizon:

  • Are these impacts already occurring?

  • If not, when are they expected to occur?

  • How confident is the scientific community about them?

If you have time, explore one of the interactive atlases to find more regional or sector-specific impacts. We recommend starting with the PROVIDE Climate Risk Dashboard.

Group discussion#

(~20 minutes)

As a group, aim to create a comprehensive list of impacts within your theme. For each impact, discuss:

  • What is the hazard driving it?

  • What creates exposure to this hazard?

  • Who or what is vulnerable, and under what conditions?

This is meant to be a wide-ranging, exploratory discussion. Try to cover a range of examples, but don’t worry about getting all the details yet — the aim is to choose one impact to focus on next.

Preparation for next week#

(~20 minutes)

As a group, prepare a short presentation for next week’s workshop. It should analyse your chosen impact using all three components of risk: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.

At this stage, you should:

  • Choose one specific impact to focus on.

    • Narrow enough to be manageable

    • Broad enough to find literature and data

    • Potentially linked to an interactive atlas, though this is not required

  • Assign roles within the group:

    • Two students focus on hazard

    • Two on exposure

    • Two on vulnerability

Each pair gathers information on their component:

  • Can you find real-world examples of the impact in the literature?

  • What are the key drivers of the hazard?

  • What conditions create exposure?

  • What systems or populations are vulnerable — and why?

  • Identify a possible case study:

    • Choose a specific region or country where this impact is occurring or projected to occur.

    • Consider recent events, long-term projections, or highly exposed regions.

  • Start gathering background information: Use the SPM, the full report, and any other credible sources you find relevant.

Plenary sharing#

(15 minutes – 5 minutes per group)

Each group shares:

  • A summary of the impacts they identified

  • The specific impact chosen for next week’s deeper analysis

Themes#

  1. Ecosystems and biodiversity (natural systems)
    Climate impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, including non-human species and ecological processes.
    Example impacts: coral reef bleaching due to ocean warming, species shifting their ranges (e.g. alpine plants moving upslope), increased wildfire risk in forests.

  2. Human systems (health, food, and water) (societal systems)
    Climate impacts on human well-being and livelihoods, including agriculture, food security, water resources, and health — in both rural and urban contexts.
    Example impacts: reduced crop yields from drought, increased malnutrition, water scarcity in snowmelt-dependent regions, spread of climate-sensitive diseases.

  3. Urban and infrastructure systems (built systems)
    Climate impacts on cities and infrastructure (transport, energy, housing), with a focus on adaptation and resilience.
    Example impacts: urban flooding from sea-level rise and heavy rain, energy system failures during heatwaves, damage to transport networks.

Note

Like everything else in our climate system, the three themes are interlinked!

Resources#

IPCC AR6 WG2#

Interactive atlases#