Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
IPCC chief warns report delays could harm panel’s reputation
At the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, IPCC Chairman Jim Skea warned that report delays could harm the panel’s reputation.
The IPCC is the UN body that assesses the science of global warming, and it usually publishes a major assessment every five to seven years.
Its October meeting ended without agreement on when to publish the three working group reports in its seventh assessment.
Countries are divided over the timetable, with some seeking a delay and others pushing for faster climate action.
Skea said reliable climate science helps guide effective action, and warned that the current impasse creates operational challenges for the panel.
Governments will resume talks on December 1 to try to agree on a timetable and approve a budget for the work.
The talks must produce a decision that has so far proved elusive.
IPCC Chairman Jim Skea warned that failure to agree on a timetable for the panel’s next assessment could damage its reputation.
The IPCC’s October meeting ended without agreement on when to publish the assessment’s three working group reports.
The disagreement exposed divisions between countries seeking a delay and those pushing for faster climate action.
The panel is due to resume talks on December 1 to try to agree on a timetable and approve a budget.
Skea made his remarks at the opening of the COP31 climate conference in Antalya.
- Who
- IPCC Chairman Jim Skea warned about the risk to the panel’s reputation.
- What
- The IPCC has not agreed on a publication timetable for the three working group reports in its seventh assessment.
- When
- Skea spoke on Monday, November 9, 2026. Talks are due to resume on December 1.
- Where
- At the opening of the COP31 climate conference in Antalya.
- Why
- The IPCC’s October meeting ended without agreement, amid divisions over whether publication should be delayed or accelerated.
Countries seeking a delay
Countries pushing for faster climate action
Publication timetable
Countries seeking a delay
They seek a delay to the reports.
Countries pushing for faster climate action
They push for faster climate action.
The IPCC meeting ended without agreement on a publication timetable for the three working group reports.
Jim Skea warned at the opening of COP31 that the impasse risked damaging the IPCC’s reputation.
The IPCC is due to begin another round of talks on the timetable and the budget for its work.
- Chairman
- Jim Skea
- Assessment
- Seventh IPCC assessment
- Reports
- Three working group reports
- Next talks
- December 1
- Conference location
- Antalya
What people are saying
It is no secret that IPCC faces operational challenges and reputational risks from the current impasse on the timeline for our three working group reports
Climate action without climate science is like a ship without a rudder.
Member governments must aim to reach a so far elusive decision on the timeline for the seventh assessment report