The result is the 10 New Insights in Climate Science, delivered as two products: a peer-reviewed scientific article and this policy report, which provides synthesis for policymakers and society at large.

This year’s report shows that the failure to cut emissions at the speed and scale required is behind nearly every major climate risk. Among the 10 insights is that relying on carbon markets will be insufficient, insight 9, to which SEI US’ Derik Broekhoff contributed:

1. Record warming 2023/24: Evidence on the drivers behind recent global temperature jumps suggests a possible acceleration of global warming.
2. Accelerated ocean warming: Rapid ocean warming and intensifying marine heatwaves are harming ecosystems and increasing extreme weather risks.
3. Strain on land carbon sinks: Global land carbon sinks are showing signs of stress as the planet continues to warm.
4. Climate–biodiversity feedback: Biodiversity loss and climate change reinforce each other in a destabilizing loop.
5. Declining groundwater levels: Climate change is accelerating groundwater depletion, increasing risks to agriculture and urban settlements.
6. Climate-driven dengue outbreaks: Rising temperatures are creating more favourable conditions for the mosquitoes that spread dengue, driving the disease’s geographical spread and intensity.
7. Impacts on labour productivity: Increasing heat stress is projected to reduce working hours and economic output.
8. Scaling carbon dioxide removal: Scaling carbon dioxide removal responsibly is essential, but with a focus on hard-to-abate emissions and limiting climate overshoot.
9. Carbon market integrity challenges: Strengthening standards and transparency in voluntary carbon markets is needed to ensure real mitigation benefits.
10. Effective policy mixes: Carefully designed policy mixes are more effective than single measures in achieving deep and lasting emission cuts.

Åsa Persson, SEI’s former Research Director, served on the editorial board for this year’s 10 new insights in climate science.

Visit: 10insightsclimate.science