PROJECT 2.1: Preparing ACCESS for CMIP6
This project ran from 1 July 2016 until 30 June 2019
The World Climate Research Programme’s Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) makes simulations from climate models around the world publicly available in a standardised format. These simulations are used by researchers around the world. Simulations from CMIP5, the fifth phase of this project, underpinned the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fifth assessment report. The next phase, CMIP6, features new scenarios and revised experiments to keep pace with advances in climate modelling and our understanding of the climate system.
We’ve updated Australia’s national climate model, the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS), so it can participate in CMIP6. We’re now in the process of submitting our climate simulations to the global CMIP database.
The ACCESS simulations will be benchmarked against simulations from other global climate models allowing us to rate ACCESS’s capability on a global scale. Through the CMIP6 database, the simulations will be used by researchers worldwide to produce peer-reviewed publications. These publications will inform the IPCC sixth assessment report, which will provide governments around the world with objective, scientific information on climate change, it’s likely impacts and mitigation strategies.
Outcomes from this project will be used in the current Hub Project 5.1 – ACCESS evaluation and application.
Key project achievements include:
- Provided an underpinning science platform for ongoing modelling work across the ACCESS community
- Enhanced engagement with national and international research partners, including the provision of leadership in international initiatives
- Ensured ACCESS simulations will be included in the IPCC sixth assessment report
For more information
Dr Simon Marsland, CSIRO
Watch the Project 2.1 summary video
June 2019
Publications and papers
- Fiddes SL, Woodhouse MT, Nicholls Z, Lane TP, Schofield R. 2018. Cloud, precipitation and radiation responses to large perturbations in global dimethyl sulfide. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 18, 10177-10198. doi: 10.5194/acp-18-10177-2018 | Full paper
- Griffies SM et al. 2016. OMIP contribution to CMIP6: experimental and diagnostic protocol for the physical component of the Ocean Model Intercomparison Project. Geoscientific Model Development, 9, 3231–3296, doi:10.5194/gmd-9-3231-2016 | Full paper
- Kiss AE, Hogg AMcC, Hanna Nh, Dias FB, Brassington G, Chamberlain MA, Chapman C, Dobrohotoff P, Domingues CM, Duran ER, England MH, Fiedler R, Griffies SM, Heerdegen A, Heil P, Holmes RM, Klocker A, Marsland SJ, Morrison AK, Munroe J, Oke PR, Nikurashin M, Pilo GS, Richet O, Savita A, Spence P, Stewart KD, Ward ML, Wu F, Zhang X. 2019. ACCESS-OM2: A Global Ocean-Sea Ice Model at Three Resolutions, Geoscientific Model Development Discussions, doi:10.5194/gmd-2019-106 | Full paper
- Zhou XB, Alves O, Marsland SJ, Bi DH, Hirst AC. 2017. Multi-decadal variations of the South Indian Ocean subsurface temperature influenced by Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Tellus Series a-Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography 69, doi:10.1080/16000870.2017.1308055 | Full paper
This project is contributing to meeting the following climate challenges:
Through improvements to ACCESS’s simulation of processes controlling Australia’s rainfall, this project will enhance the quality of future climate projections that are available to water managers and planners.
This work will provide agricultural and environmental systems managers with better projections and climate information with which to make management decisions.
This project provides the underpinning climate modelling that is necessary for better understanding the feedbacks between climate and the carbon cycle in Australian future climate scenarios.
Projections of future climate from ACCESS will provide coastal planners with the information they need to make informed coastal planning and management decisions.
Projections of future climate from ACCESS will enhance our ability to project changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate conditions, which will better inform infrastructure planning.