We are excited to share that the pre-print for our TIPMIP Earth System Model experiment protocol, led by TIPMIP-ESM domain leads Colin Jones, Shuting Yang, Torben Koening, and other engaged colleagues, is currently being reviewed for publication!
This protocol provides a simple, idealized framework for comparing ESM simulations that move through phases of positive, zero, and then negative CO2 emissions. It standardizes the the rate of increase in global mean surface air temperature during the ramp-up phase and requires all models to transition to zero emissions at the same global warming level (GWL). After a shared period with zero emissions, the models then follow common negative-emission pathways where CO2 is removed from the atmosphere.
The protocol lends itself to addressing several important questions about how the Earth system responds to a global warming overshoot. These include tipping point risks, residual warming and regional changes under prolonged zero emissions, and the reversibility of changes after negative-emission pathways. Another point of interest is how effective negative CO2 emissions are at driving global and regional cooling.
