University of Melbourne researchers contributing to global climate report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has announced its Seventh Assessment Report author list, with University of Melbourne researchers contributing to all three Working Groups.
The IPCC is the world’s premier climate science body whose assessments of climate science, impacts and policy responses feed into climate negotiation processes at the international level.
Findings from the Sixth Assessment report were recently extensively referenced by the International Court of Justice in its landmark Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States with Respect to Climate Change.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston AO said the upcoming Seventh Assessment Report represents a key moment in the on-going fight against climate change.
“Climate change affects every ecosystem and every community in the world and the impacts are long-lasting and severe,’’ Professor Johnston said.
“The IPCC Assessment Report is an important avenue for our researchers to contribute meaningfully to climate policy at the highest levels to drive a global response to this devastating issue we all face.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Cassidy said the University of Melbourne is the only Australian university with authors across all three working groups.
“Our comprehensive involvement in this important and influential report is testament to our interdisciplinary strengths and research excellence for impact,” Professor Cassidy said.
“This work forms part of our strategy to help accelerate climate sustainability and ecosystem health and demonstrates our deep commitment to working collaboratively to address the world’s most pressing issues.”
The authors are:
Working Group I - Physical Climate Science
- Associate Professor Josephine Brown, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Associate Professor Andrew Dowdy, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Working Group II - Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
- Dr Vili Iese, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
- Professor Kathryn Bowen, School of Population and Global Health and Melbourne Climate Futures
- Professor Celia McMichael, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Working Group III - Mitigation
- Professor Jacqueline Peel, Melbourne Law School and Melbourne Climate Futures
In addition, Associate Professor Cathy Oke, from the Melbourne School of Design, will be an author on the IPCC’s Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, which will accompany the Seventh Assessment Report.
Professor Peel said: “The presence of so many of our researchers on the author list for the Seventh Assessment Report signifies the deep climate research expertise at the University of Melbourne across a vast range of disciplines.
“It’s a reflection of our commitment to climate leadership, which is embedded in the University’s Advancing Research 2030 strategy, and the meaningful partnerships we maintain with global policy bodies.”
Professor Peel is the Coordinating Lead Author of the Policies and Governance, and International Cooperation chapter of Working Group III.