Highlights and images for 16 January 2024

Delegates launched the substantive work of the seventh assessment cycle of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on Tuesday, with discussions on the programme of work expected to dominate this meeting.

In opening statements, speakers highlighted ambitions for this new assessment cycle. IPCC Chair Jim Skea encouraged delegates to be “bold and strategic in shaping future IPCC work.” United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen cited the need to maintain policy relevance and set out “clear signposts that will lead us to a better world.” Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said that the IPCC’s comprehensive inputs would be invaluable for informing the second global stocktake, which is scheduled to conclude in 2028, and said that aligning IPCC and UNFCCC timelines can speed up action on climate change.   

Many speakers highlighted the importance of promoting inclusivity in the Panel’s work. Celeste Saulo, Secretary General, World Meteorological Organization, welcomed the IPCC’s commitment to improving regional and gender balance, noting that over 40% of the Panel’s Bureau members are women. Fatma Varank, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Türkiye, said Türkiye would like to see more women and young authors in the IPCC’s seventh assessment cycle.  

The IPCC then moved to a closed session. Key items addressed on Tuesday included: 

• approval of the draft report of the 59th session;
• the IPCC Trust Fund Programme and Budget; and
• matters related to other IPCC activities. 

The meeting will continue on Wednesday.