Our current knowledge of the basic science of climate change is summarized, before progressing to future scenarios of development, in this condensed and accessible review of the latest state-of-the-art assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Possible adaptation and mitigation measures, including cost and benefit analyses, are covered as well.

Some issues addressed in this Working Group III volume are mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, managing biological carbon reservoirs, geo-engineering, costing methods, and decision-making frameworks.