Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
IPCC meeting ends without a timeline for its next climate review
The IPCC’s 195 member states left a meeting in Addis Ababa without agreeing when its next climate review will be published.
The review gathers the latest scientific findings on global warming, and the dispute over its schedule has lasted nearly three years.
Governments are due to assess progress toward the Paris Agreement’s climate goals at UN talks in November 2028, and the review may not be ready by then.
A group of 30 countries is urging faster action, while India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Russia and China want more time so scientists from less-resourced countries can contribute.
Without an agreed schedule, countries could make climate decisions without shared findings on issues such as whether some warming can be reversed.
The IPCC said discussions on the schedule and its budget remain open, and talks will resume as soon as possible.
The IPCC meeting in Addis Ababa ended without agreement on a timeline for its next climate science review.
The meeting of representatives from 195 member states was suspended after it ran past its scheduled final day, the IPCC said.
The dispute over the schedule has lasted nearly three years, and the review may not be ready for UN climate talks in November 2028.
A coalition of 30 countries is pushing for immediate action, while India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Russia and China are seeking more time to prepare the reports.
The IPCC said discussions on the review schedule and its budget remain open, and deliberations will resume as soon as possible.
- Who
- Representatives of the IPCC’s 195 member states.
- What
- They ended their meeting without agreeing on a timeline for the next climate science review.
- When
- The meeting took place during the week of October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Why
- Countries disagreed over the schedule and how much time was needed for scientists from less-resourced countries to contribute.
Countries seeking an earlier review
Countries seeking more time
Review timing
Countries seeking an earlier review
A coalition of 30 countries is concerned the reports may not be ready for the November 2028 UN climate talks and is pressing for immediate action.
Countries seeking more time
India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Russia and China are pressing for more time to prepare the reports.
Participation
Countries seeking an earlier review
The coalition includes European, Latin American and small-island states.
Countries seeking more time
These countries say more time would help scientists from less-resourced countries make meaningful contributions.
Representatives of the IPCC’s 195 member states met in Addis Ababa, with agreement on dates for the next review as the main agenda item.
The meeting was suspended after exceeding its scheduled duration, with no agreement on the review timeline.
- IPCC membership
- 195 member states
- Meeting location
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Impasse duration
- Nearly three years
- UN climate talks
- November 2028
- Countries in action coalition
- 30
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What people are saying
We were here to work, but we saw all the proposals rejected — on inclusion, on the relevance of science to our national planning, on the need for evidence to guide the next Global Stocktake
Progress was blocked until the end — a shameful tactic to buy time when there is no time to lose.