Ten new insights in climate science 2023
Authors: Bustamante Mercedes , Roy Joyashree , Ospina Daniel , Achakulwisut Ploy , Aggarwal Anubha , Bastos Ana , Broadgate Wendy , Canadell Josep G. , Carr Edward R. , Chen Deliang , Cleugh Helen A. , Ebi Kristie L. , Edwards Clea , Farbotko Carol , Fernández-Martínez Marcos , Frölicher Thomas L. , Fuss Sabine , Geden Oliver , Gruber Nicolas , Harrington Luke J. , Hauck Judith , Hausfather Zeke , Hebden Sophie , Hebinck Aniek , Huq Saleemul , Huss Matthias , Jamero M. Laurice P. , Juhola Sirkku , Kumarasinghe Nilushi , Lwasa Shuaib , Mallick Bishawjit , Martin Maria , McGreevy Steven , Mirazo Paula , Mukherji Aditi , Muttitt Greg , Nemet Gregory F. , Obura David , Okereke Chukwumerije , Oliver Tom , Orlove Ben , Ouedraogo Nadia S. , Patra Prabir K. , Pelling Mark , Pereira Laura M. , Persson Åsa , Pongratz Julia , Prakash Anjal , Rammig Anja , Raymond Colin , Redman Aaron , Reveco Cristobal , Rockström Johan , Rodrigues Regina , Rounce David R. , Schipper E. Lisa F. , Schlosser Peter , Selomane Odirilwe , Semieniuk Gregor , Shin Yunne-Jai , Siddiqui Tasneem A. , Singh Vartika , Sioen Giles B. , Sokona Youba , Stammer Detlef , Steinert Norman J. , Suk Sunhee , Sutton Rowan , Thalheimer Lisa , Thompson Vikki , Trencher Gregory , van der Geest Kees , Werners Saskia E. , Wübbelmann Thea , Wunderling Nico , Yin Jiabo , Zickfeld Kirsten , Zscheischler Jakob 
Published: December 2023

Non-technical summary

We identify a set of essential recent advances in climate change research with high policy relevance, across natural and social sciences: (1) looming inevitability and implications of overshooting the 1.5°C warming limit, (2) urgent need for a rapid and managed fossil fuel phase-out, (3) challenges for scaling carbon dioxide removal, (4) uncertainties regarding the future contribution of natural carbon sinks, (5) intertwinedness of the crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, (6) compound events, (7) mountain glacier loss, (8) human immobility in the face of climate risks, (9) adaptation justice, and (10) just transitions in food systems.

Technical summary

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Reports provides the scientific foundation for international climate negotiations and constitutes an unmatched resource for researchers. However, the assessment cycles take multiple years. As a contribution to cross- and interdisciplinary understanding of climate change across diverse research communities, we have streamlined an annual process to identify and synthesize significant research advances. We collected input from experts on various fields using an online questionnaire and prioritized a set of 10 key research insights with high policy relevance. This year, we focus on: (1) the looming overshoot of the 1.5°C warming limit, (2) the urgency of fossil fuel phase-out, (3) challenges to scale-up carbon dioxide removal, (4) uncertainties regarding future natural carbon sinks, (5) the need for joint governance of biodiversity loss and climate change, (6) advances in understanding compound events, (7) accelerated mountain glacier loss, (8) human immobility amidst climate risks, (9) adaptation justice, and (10) just transitions in food systems. We present a succinct account of these insights, reflect on their policy implications, and offer an integrated set of policy-relevant messages. This science synthesis and science communication effort is also the basis for a policy report contributing to elevate climate science every year in time for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Social media summary

We highlight recent and policy-relevant advances in climate change research – with input from more than 200 experts.