Explained: Key takeaways from IPCC Synthesis Report on climate change

The IPCC published its Synthesis Report (SYR) on March 20, which summarizes the findings of six reports released during its Sixth Assessment Cycle - the 1.5 C report of 2018, the Special Reports on Land and Oceans of 2019, and the three Assessment Reports published between 2021 and 2022. The SYR is presented in the wake of major global upheaval brought about by the Russian war on Ukraine and the subsequent global energy crisis. It also follows notable deliberations at COP 27 in Egypt last year, where a loss and damage fund for climate victims was written into existence, and discourse on issues such as fossil fuel phasedown and global financial system reform was elevated. Here are three key messages from the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of the SYR.