CHAPTER II: KEY STATISTICS AND DATA

Findings From The 2023 IPCC Report On Climate Change

March 20 marked the release of the final installment of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), an eight-year long undertaking
from the world’s most authoritative scientific body on climate change. Drawing on the
findings of 234 scientists on the physical science of climate change, 270 scientists on
impacts, adaptation and vulnerability to climate change, and 278 scientists on climate change
mitigation, this IPCC synthesis report provides the most comprehensive, best available
scientific assessment of climate change.

The 2023 IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) emphasizes that global warming has
reached 1.1 degrees Celsius, leading to unprecedented climate changes. To limit global
temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, global greenhouse gas emissions must peak before
2025 and decrease by 43% by 2030. The report underscores the urgent need for collective
action, including substantial financial investments and equitable solutions, to address the
climate crisis.

Human-Induced Climate Change

The IPCC AR6 indicates that global temperatures have risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius,
causing significant alterations to the climate system. Every additional 0.5 degrees Celsius
increase intensifies extreme weather events, like heatwaves and heavy rainfall. The report
warns of potential tipping points that could lead to irreversible changes, such as the melting
of major ice sheets.

Widespread Climate Impacts

Approximately 50% of the global population experiences severe water scarcity for at
least one month per year, highlighting the broad impacts of climate change. Climate change
has hindered agricultural productivity, particularly in Africa, where crop growth has
decreased by about one-third since 1961. Since 2008, extreme floods and storms have
displaced over 20 million people each year, demonstrating the escalating human cost of
climate-related disasters.

Adaptation and Resilience

Climate adaptation measures are crucial, yet they require substantial financial support,
with developing countries needing $127 billion annually by 2030 for effective adaptation.
However, current funding levels are insufficient, with only 4% to 8% of tracked climate
finance allocated to adaptation efforts in recent years. Ecosystem-based adaptation strategies
offer co-benefits for biodiversity, health, and food security, underscoring the importance of
integrated approaches to climate resilience.
Limits to Adaptation
Some regions are facing "hard" limits to adaptation due to the severity of climate
impacts, resulting in irreversible losses such as the mortality of coral reef systems and the
forced relocation of coastal communities. Urgent action is necessary to address increasing
losses and damages, with COP27 establishing a funding arrangement to tackle these
challenges. These limits highlight the critical need for both mitigation and adaptation
strategies to minimize the adverse effects of climate change.

Emissions Reduction Necessities

To align with the 1.5 degrees Celsius pathways, global greenhouse gas emissions must
peak before 2025. Current emissions projections estimate 59 gigatons of CO2 equivalent,
significantly exceeding the levels needed to meet climate goals. Achieving national climate
pledges (NDCs) would only reduce emissions by 7% by 2030, indicating a substantial gap
between current commitments and required reductions.

Fossil Fuel Dependency: Transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential, as existing
and planned infrastructure could emit 340 gigatons of CO2, surpassing the allowable limit for
the 1.5 degrees Celsius target. By 2050, coal use must decrease by 95%, oil by about 60%,
and gas by approximately 45% to effectively limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This
transition requires significant shifts in energy policy and infrastructure investment.

Systemwide Transformations: Emission cuts across all sectors, including power

generation, transportation, and agriculture, are necessary, as these sectors contribute to nearly
80% of global emissions. Urban planning and investment in zero-carbon technologies are
vital for reducing emissions in transportation and promoting sustainable urban development.
These transformations necessitate integrated and coordinated efforts across various sectors to
achieve substantial emission reductions.

Carbon Removal Strategies: Carbon removal methods are crucial for limiting
temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, with estimates suggesting that 5 to 16 gigatons of
CO2 removal per year may be needed by mid-century. These strategies include both natural
solutions, such as reforestation, and technological approaches, like carbon capture and
storage. The deployment of carbon removal technologies will play a critical role in achieving
net-zero emissions and mitigating climate change.

Climate Finance Gaps: Current climate finance is insufficient, requiring public and
private funding to increase three to six times by 2030 to meet mitigation goals. Developing
countries face the most significant financing gaps, necessitating substantial increases in
climate investment to support their adaptation and mitigation efforts. Addressing these
financial gaps is essential for achieving global climate targets and ensuring equitable climate
action.
 Inequity and Just Transition: Climate change disproportionately affects poorer
communities, with the top 10% of income earners responsible for 45% of greenhouse gas
emissions. A just transition is necessary to ensure that adaptation and mitigation efforts do not
exacerbate existing inequalities, emphasizing the need for inclusive decision-making to
achieve equitable outcomes. Addressing climate change requires considering the social and
economic dimensions to ensure a fair and inclusive transition.

Reference:
Boehm, S. & Schumer, C. (2023, March 20). 10 Big Findings from the 2023 IPCC Report on
Climate Change. World Resources Institutes. https://www.wri.org/insights/2023-ipcc-ar6-
synthesis-report-climate-change-findings

Annual Anomalies In Global Land Surface Temperature From 1880 To 2024, Based On
Temperature Departure (in degrees Celsius)

Since 1880, the annual global land temperature anomaly has fluctuated, showing an
overall upward tendency. In 2024, the land surface temperature was 1.98 degrees Celsius
higher than the average from 1901 to 2000, marking a record high. This was the highest
annual temperature anomaly recorded during the period in consideration. The Earth's
temperature increases naturally over time as the planet goes through cyclical changes.
However, the scientific community has concluded that human interference,
particularly deforestation and the consumption of fossil fuels, has acted as a catalyst in recent
centuries. This slight human-caused temperature increase is linked to the surge in natural
disasters like cyclones, wildfires, and heatwaves in recent decades.
Even small temperature anomalies can significantly impact the planet, as evidenced
by the Quaternary Glaciation, a major ice age triggered by a five-degree drop over 20,000
years ago. The Quaternary Glaciation is technically ongoing, currently in its final interglacial
phase. It will only conclude when the last ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland melt,
highlighting the long-lasting effects of temperature changes on the Earth's climate.

Reference:
Salas, E. B. (2025, February 11). Global Land Temperature Anomalies 1880-2024. Statista.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1048518/average-land-sea-temperature-anomaly-since-
1880/

Annual Anomalies In Global Ocean Surface Temperature From 1880 To 2024, Based On
Temperature Departure(In Degrees Celsius)

In 2024, the global ocean surface temperature exceeded the 20th-century average by
0.97 degrees Celsius. Oceans absorb over 90% of the Earth's excess heat, and temperature
anomalies, which are deviations from the average, result from weather patterns and long-term
climate change. Although these anomalies vary yearly, a clear increasing trend has emerged
over the last few decades.
Since the 1980s, every region globally has experienced consistent temperature
increases. This warming trend aligns with a substantial rise in global carbon dioxide
emissions, a primary greenhouse gas and driver of climate change. As temperatures have
risen, Arctic sea ice has noticeably decreased.
While fossil fuel emissions are projected to increase, there has been a significant
surge in global clean energy investments since the early 2000s. This suggests a growing effort
to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, despite the
anticipated increase in emissions.
Reference:
Salas, E. B. (2025, February 11). Global Ocean Temperature Anomalies 1880-2024. Statista.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/736147/ocean-temperature-anomalies-based-on-
temperature-departure/
REFLECTION

Viernes, Gianna Marionne Christana C.

— The Earth's climate is undergoing significant, long-term changes, driven mainly by human
activities that release greenhouse gases. The global climate is changing more rapidly than
natural variations, with evidence seen in rising temperatures, sea levels, and melting ice.
These changes lead to more frequent and intense extreme weather events like heatwaves,
droughts, and floods, impacting ecosystems and human societies. Climate change has far-
reaching effects on human health, agriculture, and animal species, threatening global food
supplies and security, and overall well-being. To mitigate these impacts, it is essential to
reduce fossil fuel consumption, enhance energy efficiency, and shift to renewable energy
sources. In order to conduct carbon sequestration, forests and ecosystems need protection and
restoration, along with changes in human actions to cut emissions. Addressing climate change
requires both mitigation by reducing emissions and adaptation to the changes already
underway, demanding global cooperation and policy changes.