The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has begun the work of its seventh assessment cycle as of 2024. This cycle is led by Chair Jim Skea (United Kingdom), who was elected during IPCC-59 in July 2023. In his address to that meeting, Skea stated he would prioritize “improving inclusiveness and diversity, shielding [the] scientific integrity and policy relevance of IPCC assessment reports, and making effective use of the best available science on climate change.” This cycle is expected to conclude around 2030, by which time the window for action to limit global warming to 1.5°C will likely have closed.

During this meeting, the IPCC discussed lessons learned from the sixth assessment cycle, considered the Chair’s vision for the seventh cycle, and discussed options for the programme of work. The Panel heard progress reports from the three Working Groups, the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, and the Gender Action Team.

Other items on the agenda included the IPCC Trust Fund Programme and budget for the years 2023-2026, the report of the IPCC conflict of interest committee, matters related to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international bodies, and matters related to other IPCC activities, including publications and translations, the IPCC Scholarship Programme, and the Task Group on Data Support for Climate Change Assessments.

Established in 1988, the IPCC is made up of 195 governments that are members of the United Nations or the World Meteorological Organization. The Panel provides governments with scientific information that can be used to create climate policies and provides input into multilateral climate change negotiations. Since its inception, the Panel has prepared a series of comprehensive assessment reports and special reports that provide scientific information on climate change to the international community. Its reports are based on the work of thousands of experts who volunteer as IPCC authors. The sixth assessment report, which was accepted in March 2023, summarizes the state of knowledge on climate change, its impacts and risks, and possibilities for adaptation and mitigation. This summary report can be found here.

IPCC-60 convened in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 16-19 January 2024.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin writers for this meeting were Jessica Templeton, Ph.D.; María Gutiérrez, Ph.D; and Moritz Petersmann. The Digital Editor was Anastasia Rodopoulou. The Editor was Pamela Chasek, Ph.D.