The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has finalized the outlines for its three Working Group contributions to the upcoming Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) following the conclusion of its 62nd Plenary session in Hangzhou, China. The session also saw the approval of the IPCC’s budget for 2025, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to advance climate science and policy guidance.
“Despite the extensive agenda, the Panel successfully achieved consensus on the scope of AR7. This clarity allows us to initiate the selection of author teams and begin drafting the report,” said IPCC Chair Jim Skea.
With this agreement, governments, observer organizations, and IPCC Bureau members will proceed with nominating experts to serve as authors for the AR7 contributions. The outlines set the foundation for the comprehensive scientific assessments that will inform global climate policies.
Key components of the Seventh Assessment Report
The AR7 will consist of three Working Group contributions:
Working Group I – Assessing the physical science basis of climate change.
Working Group II – Evaluating climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability.
Working Group III – Examining climate change mitigation strategies.
A Synthesis Report, which will integrate findings from all three Working Groups along with a Special Report produced during the assessment cycle, will be finalized in the second half of 2029.
Additionally, the Panel previously approved the development of specialized reports, including:
- A Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, scheduled for release in March 2027.
- A Methodology Report on Short-lived Climate Forcers, expected in late 2027.
- A Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage.
- A revision of the 1994 IPCC Technical Guidelines on impacts, adaptation indicators, and metrics.
Building on the Sixth Assessment Report, the AR7 builds upon the work of the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which concluded in March 2023. The AR6 Synthesis Report played a crucial role in shaping discussions at COP28, providing a consolidated analysis of climate science and policy options.
With the AR7 process now officially underway, the IPCC continues its mission of delivering authoritative, policy-relevant scientific assessments to guide global climate action.
For further details, contact the IPCC Press Office at ipcc-media@wmo.int.
