Klimarapport til paperturn UK - Flipbook - Side 9
CLIMATE CHANGE
– ACCORDING TO THE IPCC
Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth’s
climate system. According to the IPCC, human-caused
greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of
the global warming observed since pre-industrial times.
Emissions from sources such as the burning of fossil
fuels, land-use change and industrial processes increase
the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
and contribute to rising global temperatures.
The consequences of climate change include changes
in temperature and precipitation patterns, more frequent
and more intense extreme weather events, rising sea
levels, and impacts on ecosystems, water resources, food
production and human health.
Greenhouse gases and CO₂e
The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide
(CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and 昀氀uorinated
gases. These gases differ in their ability to retain heat
in the atmosphere. To compare the impact of different
greenhouse gases, they are converted into carbon dioxide
equivalents, abbreviated as CO₂e. This makes it possible
to calculate a company’s total carbon footprint in one
common unit.
The role of the IPCC
The IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
is the United Nations body for assessing climate science.
The IPCC does not conduct new research itself, but
assesses and summarises existing scienti昀椀c knowledge
on climate change, impacts, risks and possible responses.
IPCC reports are used globally as a basis for climate
policy, climate targets and efforts to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
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