Objectives and expected outcomes

A Workshop of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), co-sponsored by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with support from Swiss government

IPCC AR5: lessons learnt for climate change research and WCRP

Hosted by International Space Science Institute, Bern (Switzerland), 8-10 September 2014

(attendance by invitation only)

The workshop is aimed at informal exchanges and brain-storming between scientists involved in climate change research coordination and IPCC authors. Its main purpose is to take stock of key scientific issues identified through the IPCC assessment in WCRP's research plans. This would in turn help IPCC in its own reflection on future activities.

IPCC AR5 has identified a number of emerging themes and outstanding issues in climate change research, some of them outlined as key uncertainties by Working Group I (WGI) and "research and data gaps" by WGII. IPCC authors participating in the workshop will provide their views on debates held at IPCC on those issues. Additional input from SREX and WGIII report will also be considered, as well as new scientific material available since the AR5 cut-off dates. Contributions and discussions will focus on issues which are considered as essential for the progress of climate change research and on actions which may facilitate the evaluation of risks and impacts, and the development of adaptation strategies. The agenda is built around scientific themes and types of research activities which are needed for responding to outstanding questions. Outcomes are expected to benefit the planning of major WCRP projects, particularly the "Grand Science Challenges", defined as major areas where efforts in research, modelling, analysis and observations are needed. Among the aspects of WCRP research which should particularly benefit from the workshop are the planning of climate model evaluation activities and the development of regional climate projections. The workshop will also feed in the progress report being prepared by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). From IPCC viewpoint, it is expected that the workshop would provide constructive comments and recommendations for the preparation of future assessments.