Chapter 7 Australian Participation in the IPCCC

Australian Input to IPCCC Assessments > Special Report on Regional Impacts of Climate Change

The Special Report on Regional Impacts of Climate Change, which was finalised at the Fourth Session of Working Group II in the Maldives in September 1997, was the first of several Special Reports to flow from, and build on, the Second Assessment Report in response to the needs of the Convention bodies. Special Reports are designed to address broader issues than Technical Papers and IPCC Rules and Procedures allow the introduction of new material as well as drawing on and integrating information already presented in the SAR. Accordingly, Special Reports are required to go through formal approval of the Summary for Policymakers by their respective Working Group, in this case Working Group II, with acceptance of the underlying chapters.

The Special Report provides, on a regional basis, a review of the vulnerability to potential changes in climate of ecological systems, socio-economic sectors and human health. The report reviews the sensitivity of these systems as well as options for adaptation. Following an introductory chapter, there were 10 chapters each addressing the potential impacts of a specific geographic region. Australians fulfilled lead author roles for several chapters, as follows:

• Australasia: A B Pittock (Coordinating Lead Author), B Bates, T Done, R M Gifford, S M Howden, R Sutherst, P Whetton, J E Williams;
• Middle East and Arid Asia: H Gitay and I Noble (Coordinating Lead Authors);
• Small Island States: R McLean (Coordinating Lead Author); and
• Tropical Monsoon Asia: R McLean (Coordinating Lead Author).