Governments have delayed the decision on crucial IPCC climate assessments for the third time due to deep divisions over alignment with UN climate policy. Although outlines for three flagship reports were agreed upon, disagreements on the delivery timeline persist, notably between supportive nations and those opposed. An interim deal was brokered to start the assessment process in 2025, but further discussions on the report deadlines are needed.
At a recent meeting in Hangzhou, China, governments once again postponed a crucial decision on the timing of key climate assessment reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This delay marks the third occasion where substantive disagreements prevented consensus on aligning the IPCC’s work with United Nations climate policy, despite a lengthy session that included nearly 30 hours of discussions on the final day.
Delegates discussed the IPCC’s three flagship reports, agreeing on their outlines but failing to establish a delivery timeline. A proposal from the IPCC’s administrative arm suggested completing the scientific review by August 2028, allowing for the reports to inform the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement. Most nations, including European countries, Japan, and small island states, supported this plan; however, strong opposition came from China, Saudi Arabia, and India, complicating agreement on the deadlines.
In response to the deadlock, the host nation China facilitated a temporary deal to commence the assessment process in 2025, with discussions about deadlines to continue in subsequent IPCC sessions, which lack set dates. IPCC chair Jim Skea emphasized the importance of establishing a consensus on the reports’ scientific scope despite the complex agenda.
The ongoing indecision regarding the IPCC’s assessment timelines highlights significant geopolitical fractures within climate policy negotiations. The conference underscored the urgency for collaborative action while exposing the challenges posed by conflicting national interests. With the absence of key nations’ input, particularly the US, the robustness and comprehensiveness of future climate reports remain at risk, necessitating renewed efforts for consensus as deadlines loom for critical climate commitments.
Original Source: www.climatechangenews.com
