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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its fifth assessment report (AR5) on the physical science of climate change on 27th September this year. Nature Climate Change speaks to the co-chair of the working group responsible for the report, Thomas Stocker.
The political opportunities for implementing a carbon tax high enough to induce large emission cuts will be better if at first the tax is charged on the difference between emissions and fixed thresholds, rather than on all emissions as is now practised.
Loss and damage is a relative newcomer to the climate change agenda. It has the potential to reinvigorate existing mitigation and adaptation efforts, but this will ultimately require leadership from developed countries and enhanced understanding of several key issues, such as limits to adaptation.
A small but growing number of companies are addressing climate risks; however, a range of barriers limit wider private-sector adaptation efforts, particularly in developing countries.
With the promise of natural and shale gas for the power sector, the oil-chained transport sector remains climate policymakers' biggest headache. Within transport, the emergence of different types of fuel is itself a big issue, as Sonja van Renssen explains.
Dealing with the impacts of climate change is better than suffering their full extent — even if it's not the best possible outcome — but to what extent are we doing so?
A flood insurance market with risk-based prices in the UK will only stimulate climate change adaptation if it is part of a wider strategy that includes land-use planning, building regulations and water management.
