Scientists are continuing their work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) upcoming reports, despite a recent political impasse that halted discussions at a session in Ethiopia on Friday.
Delegates expressed disappointment over the failure to reach an agreement before some members from developing countries and small island states departed for home. The stalled negotiations center on whether all three components of the AR7 assessment should be published ahead of the United Nations’ Global Stocktake of climate action, which is scheduled for completion by late 2028.
The IPCC released a statement indicating that key items, including the timelines for the AR7 reports and the organization’s budget, are still under discussion. The plenary session will reconvene at the earliest opportunity, though the timeline remains uncertain.
In closing remarks, IPCC Chair Jim Skea expressed that recent months have been particularly challenging for the panel, describing the situation as one of “profound disappointment,” according to a summary by the Earth Negotiators Bulletin (ENB).
Commitment from Scientists
An open letter from nearly 120 scientists involved in the AR7 project reaffirmed their commitment to deliver the reports in a “rigorous, timely, and inclusive” manner. They emphasized the necessity of aligning their timeline with the Global Stocktake, arguing that assessments released after significant decisions are ineffective.
Support for meeting the Global Stocktake deadline comes from a coalition of European nations, small island states, and least developed countries, while approximately a dozen developing nations, including India and Saudi Arabia, have advocated for a delayed timeline. They argue that this would allow for more substantial contributions from the Global South, enhancing the robustness and fairness of the findings.
France’s ambassador for climate negotiations, Benoît Faraco, asserted that a diverse coalition supports scientific integrity and the urgency of the timeline proposed by scientists. He emphasized France’s commitment to advocate for the best scientific data to effectively address climate change.
While discussions stalled over the reports’ timeline, countries considered enhancing inclusivity by potentially increasing funding for delegates from developing nations. However, the budget constraints mean this proposal was not finalized.
The three reports from different working groups of the IPCC will address the impacts of global warming, adaptation strategies, and pathways for reducing emissions. Recent developments in the IPCC’s internal processes indicate that efforts are underway to balance representation from the Global North and South among participating scientists.
Despite the setbacks, Skea highlighted that the core scientific efforts within the IPCC remain robust. Working Groups I and II are set to revise their draft reports, while Working Group III is preparing to release its first draft soon. The collaborative spirit among scientists persists, with an appeal for governments to put aside political divisions for the global benefit of climate science.
