AR6:IPCC opens session to consider essential business matters

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has opened a meeting to consider essential business as work on the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) advances amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives of the IPCC’s 195 Member countries, meeting in the 53rd (bis) Session of the Panel, will convene via electronic means, as a face-to-face meeting remains impossible.

Amongs other urgent business matters the Panel will discuss the IPCC strategic planning schedule for the remainder of the AR6 cycle and the review of the IPCC principles and procedures.

“I wish to express my  gratitude to our member Countries, Bureau members, observers and above all authors for their support and dedication to the IPCC,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee.  “Thanks to their immense contribution and commitment the work of the IPCC continues to run smoothly even in these exceptional circumstances.”

The heads of the IPCC’s two parent organizations, Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, and Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, will address the meeting.

The Panel is meeting as members of the IPCC Bureau and authors continue to advance work on the  Sixth Assessment Report. The pandemic has led to delays of 3-4 months in some of the milestones for the preparation of AR6 this year, and the release dates of the report remain under review.