18 March 2015: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released the complete version of the Synthesis Report (SYR) of the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). Some of the SYR’s main findings, which was released on 2 November 2014, are: human influence on the climate system is clear; more disruption to the climate leads to a greater risk of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts; and limiting climate change is possible.

Acting IPCC Chair Ismail El Gizouli stressed that the SYR is an invaluable tool and resource for policymakers as the world prepares to finalize a global agreement on climate change at the end of 2015. The release includes the fully laid-out Summary for Policymakers (SPM) and the longer SYR comprised of an introduction and four topics, plus six annexes. The IPCC is also releasing SYR drafts and comments emanating from the expert and government review.

The SYR was approved by governments during the 40th session of the IPCC, which took place from 27-31 October 2014, in Copenhagen, Denmark. [IPCC Press Release] [SYR Website] [IISD RS Coverage of IPCC 40]