IPCC
The IPCC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is an independent international body for the scientific assessment of climate change, created in 1988 by the UN, and accessible to all its member countries. The organisation endorsed the role of environmental counsellor to the 195 signatory countries. Its mission focuses on both the analysis and evaluation of scientific and socio-economic data related to global warming in order to shed light on the consequences of human activity on our environment, and suggests strategies to stop the trend.
Objectives of the organisation
Through a collective scientific approach as well as a methodical analysis. The organisation provides answers to the environmental uncertainties and global warming red flags our governments face in order to allow them to communicate with their citizenry about the environmental challenges and strategies that can be initiated to attenuate the trend and promote adaptation.
So, the data collected from various laboratories and scientific communities around the world are evaluated and transcribed benevolently within their annual reports. The IPCC work is shared amongst three Working Groups (WG), a Task Force and a Task Group. The WGI aims at assessing the physical scientific basis of the climate system and climate change. The WGII, on the other hand, estimates the vulnerability of socio-economic and natural systems to climate change while the WGIII aims at providing options for mitigating climate change through limiting or preventing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Before decrypting the WGIII’s report, we would like to shed light on the previous group’s take-aways. The WGII stated that in order to lower the risks linked to climate change, it is urgent to take action regarding the future constructions, infrastructures, activities of urbanism. We can use of existing land that will take place. In fact, Urban development must evolve to address its deficiencies in adapting to global warming. But also, while ending the increased vulnerability of marginalized communities and low-income people placed into risk-zones.
Décryptage du troisième volet du 6e Rapport du GIEC (WGIII)
The IPCC’s press release following the publishing of the WGIII’s report commented: “It was said, we can reduce half the emissions by 2030, but we have to act today” (IPCC, 2022). For the first time since the last reports, the report is more positive and puts forward a number of promising actions going beyond quantitative data on GHG. For example, the decreasing per unit cost of renewable energies that has increased the social and environmental laws concerning their manufacturing, and the growing number of laws pushing for a decrease in GHG through innovative technologies and low-carbon infrastructures are put forward.
The subject of emissions remains alarming. During 2010-2019, in average, GHG emissions were higher than all preceding years’ levels although the rate of growth was inferior than the one recorded during 2000-2009. Additionally, the Covid-19 sanitary crisis which caused a decrease in CO2 emissions due to a general slow-down of international economic activity wasn’t enough to push governments, firms and civil society to continue in this path. The reduction of CO2 emissions coming from fossil fuel energies and industrial activities were lower than their increase.
In all sectors (primary – agriculture –, secondary – industry –, and tertiary – services –) solutions to decrease up to 50% of global emission by 2030 exist.
In the agricultural sector, experts emphasise the need to rethink land use. At the industry level, reusing, recycling and significantly reducing waste are key actions to implement. Finally, in the services sector, collaborative economy, digital technologies and the creation of synergies between experts, different strategies connected to the concept of circular economy, increase performance while decreasing loss of energy and heat.
The IPCC also raised special attention on the gains related to a transformation of our lifestyles on our ecosystems. An entire chapiter was dedicated to the social aspects of global warming and explores the various causes of consumption and GHG emissions within Demand. For example, rethink cities and their organisation. This aspect is fundamental since urban areas are CO2 emissions epicenters as well as the population increase. If cities are renovated and transformed intelligently, with net positive energy consumption, or natural mechanism of carbon capture and storage, then we could get closer to the objectives set under the Paris Climate Accords of 2015.
Each citizen’s behaviour is influenced by the area and environment in which he grows and lives, taking for granted that each and everyone has access to these changes in infrastructures and organization and that they answer to everyone’s needs. The WGIII emphasises the importance of sobriety but also of equity and active participation of all actors implicated in the decision-making process. The involvement of all stakeholders can enforce the social contract, confidence and support to these transformations that will inevitable become more and more radical.
Finally, the WGIII reminds us than although solutions exist to reduce global warming and that we can reduce half of our emissions by 2030, the next 10 years will be crucial to stay under 2 degrees Celsius. Global GHG emissions should culminate between 2020-2025. Scenarios hypothesised at the international level that would limit global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius imply radical and immediate decreases in all economic sectors. Funds are needed to attenuate climate change, and most importantly they need to be allocated intelligently in order to tackle strategically the sustainable developments goals set by the UN. The IPCC is confidante in attaining carbon neutrality in all sectors and high GHG emissions reduction.
ALTO2’s Participation
The three Working Group’s reports are unanimous on the negative consequences of construction, urbanisation as well as the way we live within these buildings on the environment. It especially points out to the increase in urban “heat island” effect. In order to answer to these specific issue ALTO2 pursues strategies of greening for “natural islands” and the use of low-emission water and materials. During construction projects, we tackle climate change through:
Strategies of natural air-conditioning, ventilation and shading.
Installation of green roofs and surfacing or simply light-colored covering.
Installation of solar protection technologies such as external venetian blinds.
Our mission is to actively participate in the regeneration of our future and to contribute to the creation of living systems in order to best answer to the urgent goals of climate change.
This is why we offer to collaborate with our clients and all stakeholders and wish to cocreate your action plan for a regenerative building.
You have read the ill-boding scientific revues on climate change and have decided you want to take action and implement strategies that fit your mission and your context? You want to start taking meaningful, impactful and long-lasting steps towards a decrease of your emissions and regeneration? We are here to help you.
Let’s meet now to discuss your intentions. Let’s think together on how to best answer your objectives and challenges. Let’s build something together. Write to us or simply give us a Call!
Bibliography
IPCC. (2022, April 4). Communiqué de presse du giec est établi: Nous … – ipcc.ch. COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE DU GIEC. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2022/04/IPCC-AR6-WG-III-PressRelease-French.pdf
Bon Pote. (2022, April 5). Nouveau rapport du Giec : Agir coûtera moins cher que le business as usual. Bon Pote. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://bonpote.com/nouveau-rapport-du-giec-agir-coutera-moins-cher-que-le-business-as-usual/
Beny, F., Canas, S., Chavanne, M., Persoz, L., Deutsch, D., & Tuel, A. (2022, February 28). Synthèse du rapport AR6 du giec publié le 28/02/2022. The Shift Project. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://theshiftproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Synthese-vulgarisee-Rapport-WGII-AR6-The-Shifters.pdf
Bon Pote. (2022, April 6). Les infographies du 6ème rapport du Giec. Bon Pote. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://bonpote.com/les-infographies-du-6eme-rapport-du-giec/
