The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) finalised the outlines for its first two reports in the seventh assessment cycle: the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and the 2027 IPCC Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers. The outlines were agreed upon at the Panel’s 61st Plenary Session in Sofia, Bulgaria on Friday.
Over 230 delegates from 114 member governments participated in the week-long meeting, where they also established the timelines for these reports.
IPCC Chair Jim Skea said, “The Panel’s decision today paves the way for the critically important next stages in our work — the nomination and selection of authors who will actually write these two reports. We are keen for these processes to bring on board the most diverse and inclusive group of authors yet. The timing of these two reports confirms the continued policy relevance of IPCC scientific reports.”
The call for nominations of authors is expected to be announced by next week.
The Special Report on Climate Change and Cities will address urban trends, challenges, and opportunities in the context of climate change. It will explore actions and solutions to mitigate urban risks and emissions, facilitate change in cities, and offer region-specific solutions. The Panel has approved the report’s outline, with publication planned for March 2027.
The report’s scientific leadership is shared among the IPCC’s three Working Groups, with Co-Chairs Winston Chow and Bart van den Hurk from Working Group II overseeing its development. They highlighted the report’s global relevance for climate action in urban areas and are committed to its timely completion over the next three years.
The 2027 IPCC Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers will provide guidance on preparing and reporting national inventories of these emissions. The methodology report is scheduled for publication in July 2027.
Based on the report from the upcoming scoping meeting of the three Working Groups’ contributions to the Seventh Assessment Report scheduled in December 2024, the panel will agree on their scope, outlines, work plans, schedules and budgets at its next Plenary in early 2025.
