An ad hoc committee will conduct a review of the Draft Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5), concurrent with the public comment period. The committee will incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) principles in its review. The committee’s review will address the following questions about the draft report:

1. Does the draft assessment meet the requirements of Section 106 of the Global Change Research Act?

2. Do the key messages reflect current understanding about observed and projected impacts to the United States, the challenges, opportunities and success stories for addressing risk, and identification of emerging issues related to climate change?

3. Does the draft assessment accurately reflect the peer-reviewed scientific literature or other source information cited, with a particular focus on literature since the last National Climate Assessment?

4. Does the draft assessment appropriately identify and provide sufficient context for embedded content, and does this content reflect current scientific understanding?

5. Are there any critical content areas missing from the draft assessment and not adequately addressed by embedded content or references?

6. Are the findings documented in a consistent, transparent and credible way?

7. Is the draft assessment written at a technical level that is appropriate for the intended audience?

8. Are the draft assessment’s key messages and graphics clear, internally consistent, and appropriate? Specifically, do they reflect supporting evidence, include an assessment of likelihood, and communicate effectively?

9. Are the data and analyses handled in a consistent, transparent, and credible manner? Are statistical methods applied appropriately?

10. What other significant improvements, if any, might be made in the draft assessment?