18 November 2011: Member governments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approved the Summary for Policymakers of the Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX), which was prepared by IPCC Working Groups I and II.

The report summarizes: best scientific knowledge on how climate change affects weather extremes, now and in the future; how these extremes result in disasters; and how those changing risks should be managed. The report concludes that it is virtually certain that on a global scale hot days become even hotter and occur more often. Heavy precipitation is predicted to occur more often, while the wind speed of tropical cyclones will increase but their their number will likely remain constant or decrease.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Rajendra Pachauri, IPCC Chair, explained that the summary for policymakers “provides insights into how disaster risk management and adaptation may assist vulnerable communities to better cope with a changing climate in a world of inequalities.”

The full SREX report will be available in early 2012. The First Joint Session of IPCC Working Groups I and II took place in Kampala, Uganda, from 14–17 November 2011. It preceeded the 34th session of the IPCC, which is taking place at the same venue. [Summary for Policymakers of the SREX] [SREX Website] [IISD RS Coverage of IPCC 34]