CMIP at EGU24

The EGU General Assembly 2024 (EGU24) brings together geoscientists from all over the world to one meeting covering all disciplines of the Earth, planetary, and space sciences. The EGU aims to provide a forum where scientists, especially early career researchers, can present their work and discuss their ideas with experts in all fields of geoscience.

CMIP events

The CMIP AR7 Fast Track Townhall (TM6)

This Townhall will present the CMIP AR7 Fast Track – a novel component of the latest evolution of the CMIP experimental design. The fast track is a subset of MIP experiments which have been identified as vital for national and international climate assessments and for informing policy and decision making. The CMIP governing panels have defined this subset of experiments to reduce the burden placed on modelling centres and maximise computational efficiencies, while continuing to deliver impactful climate model data. Alongside a presentation of the process and selection of the Fast Track experiments, the Townhall will feature updates on the next phase of scenarios, forcing datasets, model evaluation and benchmarking plans, and an update from the Fresh Eyes on CMIP group. There will be opportunities throughout the event for community discussion on the new plans.

Link to event webpage.

Link to event on EGU24 website.

Information for society: from CMIP to decision makers Townhall (TM7)

The challenges of producing information for society based on climate science include everything from data access to the treatment of uncertainty and expert judgment over what constitutes robust, decision-ready information. WCRP programs tasked with supporting the production and use of climate data are interested in understanding the range of practices employed by the EGU community over this entire chain. 

In the first portion of the Townhall we will focus on data access — where do you start to produce actionable information? Representatives from CMIP and CORDEX will present some background and then facilitate discussions about data access methods currently employed, and your suggestions for improvement. We are also interested in what other products form the starting point for some users, as well as what motivates you to run your own simulations with stakeholders in mind.

In the second portion of the Townhall we will shift to facilitated small-group discussions on the challenges of producing information for society that is both robust and useful for decision-making. The WCRP Regional Information for Society (RIfS) project wants to hear from EGU members on everything from the analysis and post-processing tools you employ, to how you handle issues in the data, represent uncertainty, and work to provide information to decision-makers.

Link to event webpage.

Link to event on EGU24 website.

Daily drop-in talks

Come and meet hear about different aspects of CMIP science everyday at lunchtime. Come along for a casual chat or with any questions you want answered. 

Talks:

Topic	Speaker	Affiliation	Day
Tools: Making CMIP data analysis easy	Birgit Hassler	Model Benchmarking Task Team co-lead DLR	Monday
CMIP Downscaling	Claas Teichmann	CMIP Panel ex-officio VIACS representative, GERICS	Tuesday
CMIP Forcings	Chris Wells	Fresh Eyes on CMIP Forcings subgroup member, University of Leeds	Wednesday
CMIP in policy	Sarah Connors	Former Head of Science for IPCC WGI Technical Support Unit, ESA Climate Office	Thursday

Link to event webpage

Addressing and understanding climate forcing and uncertainties in CMIP: Key insights and future directions (ITS1.10/CL0.1.9)

Co-conveners

Lina Teckentrup, Thomas Aubry, Michaela I. Hegglin, Yiwen Li, Camilla Mathison, Julia Mindlin, Alexander J. Winkler

Abstract

The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) advances climate system understanding, but Earth System Models (ESM) exhibit disparities, particularly in responses to forcings and system coupling. As the IPCC relies on CMIP to provide information for policy decisions, a multidisciplinary approach is crucial to address uncertainties across the full CMIP production line. This session invites studies on climate forcings, climate responses, uncertainties in forcing agents, and model disparities in CMIP projections.

We welcome diverse climate-forcing research, including historical and future, anthropogenic and natural forcing development, idealized Earth System Model studies, observational evaluations, and works spanning all climate system components. Topics may include identifying disparities in CMIP ESMs, quantifying uncertainties, and addressing key scientific priorities for future model development. Contributions on opportunities, challenges, and constraints in using CMIP output for impact research, especially at regional scales, are encouraged.

This session ultimately aims at fostering collaboration among climate scientists, observationalists and modelers to address climate change challenges. Convened by WCRP CMIP Forcing Task Team and Fresh Eyes on CMIP, it aims to enhance understanding of CMIP uncertainties and prepare for CMIP6Plus and CMIP7.

Link

https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU24/session/50391

Advances in Earth system modelling: process representation, benchmarking and understanding (CL5.6)

Co-conveners

Roland Séférian, Joshua Dorrington, Alicia Hou, Birgit Hassler, Ranjini Swaminathan, Torben Koenigk, Chantelle Burton

Abstract

Earth System Models (ESMs) have evolved considerably in complexity, capability and scale as evidenced in projects such as the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 and the forthcoming CMIP7 project.

Coupled Earth system interactions such as feedbacks and potential abrupt changes are a significant source of uncertainty in our current understanding of the Earth system and how it might respond to future human interventions. There is therefore a need to credibly assess such developments and capabilities for effective research on climate variability and change.

This session will examine physical, biogeochemical and biophysical processes likely to affect the evolution of the Earth system over the coming decades and centuries. Contributions with a focus on; (a) the latest advances in the representation of these couplings and interactions within state-of-the-art numerical models; (b) novel experimental designs to help improve quantification of these feedbacks, including those targeting CMIP7 activities and (c) novel approaches for benchmarking and evaluation of ESMs including cross-domain and process -based evaluation, observational uncertainties, science and performance metrics and benchmarks; are all particularly welcome.

This session arises from the joint initiative of the The CMIP7 Model Benchmarking Task Team, EU-funded ESM2025 and OptimESM projects.

Link

https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU24/session/49394

The Future Ocean – CMIP and beyond (OS1.11)

Co-conveners

Jennifer Mecking, René van Westen, Marius Årthun, Yiwen Li

Abstract

The oceans are changing rapidly in response to the changing climate manifested in record-breaking temperatures in the North Atlantic, altered ocean currents, and changes in the marine carbon system. Further changes are expected in a warmer future climate. Understanding the mechanisms of oceanic climate change are crucial to develop realistic ocean projections. The latest projections, simulated using the recent Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) phase 6, provide meaningful insights on the ocean circulation responses under various climate change scenarios. These projections are essential to quantify the impacts of oceanic climate change and in developing successful adaptation strategies. This session will bring together people with the common interest of what the future ocean circulation will look like.

Link

https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU24/session/48042