Consistent treatment and communication of uncertainty across the Working Groups is a key cross-cutting issue for the IPCC and goal for the AR5. To address this important issue, the Co-Chairs of the three Working Groups convened a small meeting on Consistent Treatment of Uncertainties, 6-7 July 2010 at the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve in Stanford, CA, USA. The outcome of the meeting was a decision to produce updated Guidance Note for AR5, with the goal of improving the distinction and transition between different metrics and their consistent application across the Working Groups in the AR5.
The “Guidance Note for Lead Authors of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report on Consistent Treatment of Uncertainties” presents an approach for the treatment of uncertainty and the communication of key findings of the AR5 that can be applied consistently in each Working Group. At its 32nd session, the IPCC Panel urged the implementation of this Guidance Note.