46th Session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-46)

On Sunday morning, 11 September 2017, the IPCC Working Groups (WGs) II and III concluded their work on the report outlines. The IPCC Plenary then convened in the afternoon and evening, the Panel approved the WG outlines and addressed background, cross-cutting issues and the AR6 Synthesis Report, as well as alignment of the IPCC cycle and the global stocktake under the UNFCCC. The Panel also admitted 12 new observer organizations; heard reports from the Conflict of Interest Committee (COI), and took up various other agenda items. The Panel also agreed to establish a task group on alignment of the IPCC with the global stocktake, holding an expert meeting on short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs), and holding its next Plenary meeting next spring in Paris, France.

IPCC-46 closed at 8:31 pm.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin summary and analysis of IPCC-46 will be available on Wednesday, 13 September 2017, online at: http://enb.iisd.org/climate/ipcc46/

On Saturday morning, 10 September, the IPCC Plenary convened to discuss the report of the Ad Hoc Task Group on Financial Stability of the IPCC (ATG-Finance), and the pros and cons of various funding options. In the afternoon and evening, Working Groups (WGs) II and III continued their work on the chapter outlines.

On Friday, 8 September, Working Groups (WGs) I, II and III reconvened their plenary sessions to discuss revised WG chapter outlines based on comments made on Thursday. The WGs met in morning, afternoon and evening sessions to continue their deliberations.

On Thursday, 7 September, Working Groups (WGs) I, II and III convened plenary sessions to discuss their contributions to the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). Participants made general comments on the WG report chapter outlines and more detailed comments on specific chapters.

The IPCC opened its 46th meeting with a ceremonial blessing by Chief Christine Zachary-Deom, Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, followed by interventions from speakers. IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee emphasized the importance of the meeting in the AR6 cycle.

Martine Dubuc, Associate Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada, highlighted Canada’s reliance on scientists to deliver cutting-edge knowledge to support national efforts and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

David Grimes, WMO President, stressed the importance and mutual benefits of collaboration between the IPCC and WMO, especially in regards to developing countries’ participation.

Elena Manaenkova, WMO Deputy Secretary-General, noted the role that national meteorological services play in the IPCC and WMO’s commitment to support IPCC’s activities at all stages of the AR6 cycle.

Jian Liu, Chief Scientist, UN Environment, stressed the importance of bringing science to policymakers, and commended the IPCC for its “bold and courageous” work in this regard.

Cathernie McKenna, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, via pre-recorded video, highlighted the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and Canada’s commitment to actions grounded in science.

Also via video presentation, Kirsty Duncan, Canadian Minister of Science, noted the importance of bringing the international community together to address climate change.

Youssef Nassef, UNFCCC Secretariat, discussed areas where the IPCC’s contributions add special value to the UNFCCC, and noted the importance of aligning IPCC cycles with the UNFCCC’s global stocktake cycles.

The Panel also began to address the IPCC budget and funding, including resource mobilization, and heard presentations by the Working Group Co-Chairs on the outlines of their respective reports. A lunchtime Q&A was held on the WG report outlines.