A meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, concluded without reaching an agreement on the timeline for its next comprehensive review of climate science. The session, involving delegates from the IPCC’s 195 member states, ended prematurely on October 16 after exceeding its scheduled duration, prompting many representatives from least developed countries and small island states to depart before concluding deliberations.
The primary focus of the meeting was to establish a timetable for the IPCC’s forthcoming scientific assessment, which is expected to inform global climate policy and guide the United Nations climate negotiations planned for November 2028. However, the longstanding deadlock on setting the review schedule, which has persisted for nearly three years, remains unresolved.
Several countries, including India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China, advocated for extending the timeline. Their intent is to allow scientists, especially those from nations with fewer resources, sufficient time to contribute meaningful research and analysis to the upcoming reports. Proponents emphasize the importance of inclusivity and rigor in the process, to ensure the panel’s findings accurately reflect global scientific understanding and support national climate planning.
In contrast, some delegates expressed frustration over the stalled progress. Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, criticized the impasse, stating that proposals aiming to enhance inclusivity and the scientific relevance for national planning were repeatedly dismissed. She described the delay as a “shameful play for time” despite the urgent need for clear guidance on climate action.
The IPCC’s assessments hold significant influence as they synthesize the latest scientific knowledge on climate change, drawing from the expertise of hundreds of international researchers. These reports undergo comprehensive review and are approved by all member states, providing an authoritative basis for climate policy decisions and serving as evidence in international legal contexts.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Environment Programme has underscored the widening gap between current mitigation efforts and the emissions reductions necessary to meet the Paris Agreement targets. Its reports highlight the increasing risks of climate-related disasters if stronger global action is not implemented.
As the IPCC’s schedule for future scientific reviews remains unsettled, there are concerns that countries may proceed with climate policies and negotiations without a fully aligned understanding of critical issues, including the potential reversibility of some aspects of global warming. The outcome of the November 2028 UN climate talks will likely depend in part on the clarity and timing of the IPCC’s forthcoming contributions to the climate discourse.