A climate impact taxonomy operationalizing IPCC physical driver and risk concepts

Strengthening the connection between physical climate science and adaptation communities is essential for producing actionable, integrated risk information. Here we present a climate impact taxonomy linking 35 climatic impact-drivers to 8 representative key risks, with metadata on climate impact characteristics, relevant subsystems and adaptation–mitigation linkages. This prototype taxonomy enables researchers, practitioners and policymakers to develop adaptation strategies and direct support towards the most urgent, evidence-based priorities across IPCC-aligned dimensions. Adaptation to climate risks requires integrating knowledge across IPCC working groups. This study presents a climate impact taxonomy that connects climatic impact-drivers from Working Group I to representative key risks from Working Group II and provides more direct guidance for risk assessment and adaptation strategies.