IPCC to deliver 'synthesis' report only by end of 2029

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is expected to deliver three special subject reports by the end of 2027 ahead of the second global stocktake of the Paris Agreement in 2028, but the final synthesis report will only be produced by the end of 2029, the panel has decided.

- Jayashree Nandi

Agreeing on a shorter timeline after intense debates at the 60th session of the IPCC in Istanbul between January 16 and 20, the panel decided to deliver three working group reports sometime between 2028 and 2029.

A detailed timetables will be discussed at the next plenary in July, Jim Skea, IPCC chair told HT.

"The Special Report on Climate Change and Cities will be provided in early 2027 and a Methodology Report on Short-lived Climate Forcers by 2027. In addition, the Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage is to be delivered by the end of 2027," Skea said.

"While the more detailed timetable will be discussed in the next Plenary in July, the Panel has also decided that the Synthesis Report will be produced by late 2029after the publication of contributions from the three Working Groups," he said.

HT on January 29 reported that the session in Istanbul was fraught with intense debates on how and when the panel will inform the world about the state of the crisis.

India along with other developing countries flagged concerns over attempts by developed nations, led by the US, to shorten the timeline for the delivery of the 7th assessment cycle report, people familiar with the matter said.