Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)
Mains level: Read the attached story
In the news
- This newscard is an excerpt from an original article published in the TIE.
What are Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)?
- The Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) were rolled out as part of the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the IPCC in 2014.
- These are basically emission scenarios that depict pathways of greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions resulting from human activities over time, crucial for climate modelling and forecasting.
- These pathways were introduced to provide a consistent set of GHGs concentration trajectories for climate modelling and research purposes.
- The RCPs were officially selected and defined based on their total radiative forcing levels in the year 2100.
These pathways describe various climate change scenarios based on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.
- RCP 2.6: Limits global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels while also attempting to keep ocean acidification under control. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced significantly compared to current levels.
- RCP 4.5: Reflects an intermediate scenario where emissions peak around 2040 and then gradually decrease. Global mean temperature rise is projected to reach approximately 2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.
- RCP 6: Stabilizes radiative forcing at 6 watts per square meter (W/m²) after 2100 following peaking around mid-century. It aims to achieve a lower level of global warming but does not exclude temporary overshoots beyond 2°C.
- RCP 8.5: Presents a high-emission scenario characterized by increasing radiative forcing throughout the century. By 2100, it results in a global mean temperature increase of over 4°C above pre-industrial levels.
Back2Basics: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
| Description | |
| Establishment | Established in 1988 by WMO and UNEP |
| Membership | 195 member countries. |
| Objective | Assess scientific info on human-induced climate change, impacts, and mitigation/adaptation options. |
| Main Activity | Prepares assessment, special, and methodology reports, crucial for international climate negotiations. |
| Scientific Research | Relies on global scientific community for literature review and conclusions. |
| Working Groups | Comprises three groups:
|
| Reports | Each group issues reports, compiled into a synthesis report. |
Try this PYQ from CSP 2018:
“Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by:
(a) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(b) UNEP Secretariat
(c) UNFCCC Secretariat
(d) World Meteorological Organisation
Post your answers here.
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