The IPCC Synthesis Report draws together the conclusions of the underlying IPCC reports on the physical basis of climate change, climate impacts and adaptation, and emission reductions. It forms the scientific bedrock on which countries will negotiate next steps at the crucial climate conference in Paris in 2015. The report, like all IPCC products, is intended to be ‘policy relevant’ but not ‘policy prescriptive’. This lecture will outline the main messages from the report, draw out the implications and explore the grey area where science and policy meet.
Biography
Jim Skea has research interests in energy, climate change and technological innovation. He has been RCUK Energy Strategy Fellow since April 2012 and a Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College since 2009. He was Research Director of the UK Energy Research Centre 2004-12 and Director of the Policy Studies Institute 1998-2004.
He has operated at the interface between research, policy-making and business throughout his career. He is a member of the UK Committee on Climate Change and a Vice-Chair of IPCC Working Group III. He acted as Launch Director for the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. He was awarded a CBE for services to sustainable energy in 2013 and an OBE for services to sustainable transport in 2004.