Climate taxonomy tool turns risk assessments into practical adaptation guidance
As climate impacts such as heat waves, floods and fires intensify worldwide, there is an urgent demand for information on how to respond. IIASA researchers and partners have developed a new tool that meets that need, integrating climate drivers, risks and adaptation options in one framework grounded in IPCC science. It turns authoritative global climate assessments into guidance practitioners can…
Climate change poses escalating risks worldwide, prompting the need for practical adaptation guidance. Researchers from IIASA have created a new climate impact taxonomy that transforms authoritative IPCC assessments into actionable information for policymakers, planners, and decision-makers. This taxonomy systematically connects 35 IPCC-defined climatic impact drivers with eight key risks affecting ecosystems, infrastructure, food security, water resources, cities, and human well-being.
Each connection includes practical details such as impact scales, affected systems, adaptation responses, mitigation links, and IPCC references. The tool reveals that over half of these combinations impact specific regions, with risks spanning gradual changes and extreme events. Nearly half of the links are projected to reach high risk levels at 1.5°C of warming, with similar proportions at 2°C or higher, emphasizing the urgency of both mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The taxonomy also identifies areas lacking scientific evidence, guiding future research priorities. It offers valuable resources for climate service providers, adaptation planners, policymakers, and the scientific community to enhance decision-making amid climate change. The researchers view the taxonomy as a prototype framework inviting feedback and refinement from diverse stakeholders to improve its practical utility in addressing global climate risks.
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