By Faridat Salifu
Over 230 climate scientists and policy experts from more than 70 countries across the globe are gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this week to set the groundwork for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7).
The meeting, running from December 9 to 13, will outline the structure and content of the three major contributions that form the backbone of the IPCC’s periodic climate assessments.
The scoping meeting marks the first step in producing the AR7, which will evaluate the latest scientific advancements since the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), finalized in 2023.
These contributions will cover three critical areas:
Physical Science Basis (Working Group I): Examining the underlying scientific data on climate systems and changes.
Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (Working Group II): Assessing how climate change affects ecosystems, human societies, and economies, and the potential for adapting to these changes.
Mitigation of Climate Change (Working Group III): Exploring strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming.
“This meeting is essential to shaping the future of climate science and policy,” said Jim Skea, IPCC Chair, disclosing, “Experts will deliberate on the scientific substance and draft a framework for governments to review and approve in February 2025.”
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The AR7 will feature a comprehensive Synthesis Report, expected in 2029, which will integrate findings from the three Working Group reports alongside a Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.
The urban-focused report aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities cities face as they strive for climate resilience.
Updated guidelines on impacts and adaptation metrics, to be developed alongside the Working Group II report.
AR7 will build upon the sobering findings of AR6, which highlighted that global warming reached 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels by 2020, driven by fossil fuel combustion and unsustainable land use.
These changes have led to severe weather events, impacting billions globally, especially in vulnerable communities.
The Sixth Assessment Report underscored the urgent need for emissions reductions and transformative adaptation measures to limit warming to 1.5°C—a goal requiring accelerated global action.
Following the scoping meeting, IPCC Bureau Members will participate in a symposium aimed at strengthening the connection between climate science and actionable policies.
Organized by the Malaysian government, the British High Commission, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the event will emphasize the urgency of translating scientific findings into concrete steps to combat climate change.
As AR7 takes shape, its findings will play a pivotal role in informing global climate negotiations and national strategies in the critical years ahead.
With scientific evidence mounting and time to limit warming running out, experts hope this assessment cycle will drive a renewed commitment to transformative action on a global scale.
