Image Source: IPCC

More than 230 climate experts from over 70 countries have convened in Kuala Lumpur for a crucial week-long meeting to begin drafting the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7). Running from December 9 to 13, the Scoping Meeting marks the first step in outlining the structure and scientific focus of the next global climate science report, due for release in 2029.

The IPCC’s AR7 will be a landmark document, assessing the latest findings on climate change across three main pillars: the physical science basis, impacts and vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies. This initial gathering is focused on setting the foundation for these reports, which will provide essential data to guide policymakers in addressing the accelerating climate crisis.

A Blueprint for Global Climate Action

The AR7 will be divided into three core components:

• Working Group I: Focusing on the physical science of climate change

• Working Group II: Assessing impacts, adaptation, and vulnerabilities

• Working Group III: Investigating mitigation strategies to limit global warming.

During this week’s Scoping Meeting, experts are setting the framework and key content for each section, aiming to deliver clear, actionable insights for governments and other stakeholders. The challenge is not only to capture the complex scientific data but also to present it in a way that can drive effective policy and decision-making worldwide.

IPCC Chair Jim Skea emphasized the importance of this meeting, stating, “This is the critical first step in shaping the contents of our next report. In this meeting, we’ll assess the latest scientific substance and draft the overall structure of the reports, which will then be reviewed and finalized by governments at our next Plenary in February.”

The AR7 will build on the findings of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report, released in 2023, which warned of the profound dangers posed by global warming, now at 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. That report highlighted the urgent need for both emissions reductions and adaptive strategies to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Urgent Need for Accelerated Action

The urgency of climate action has never been clearer. The IPCC’s previous reports have shown how every additional fraction of a degree of warming exacerbates the risks to ecosystems, economies, and societies. With warming already having a significant impact on global weather patterns, rising seas, and biodiversity loss, the AR7 will provide a comprehensive update on the latest science and emerging trends in climate research.

Skea stressed the stakes: “Every fraction of a degree in additional warming exacerbates the risks for people and nature. This report will focus on the most vulnerable communities and how we can support them while taking bold steps to limit future warming.”

The AR7 will also draw on additional special reports, such as an upcoming Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, and updated Technical Guidelines on Impacts and Adaptation. These supplementary materials will equip governments with the scientific evidence they need to craft policies that align with the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

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