In addition to approving the chapter outlines for the three Working Group reports that, along with the Synthesis Report, will comprise the Sixth Assessment Report, IPCC 46 agreed to extend the mandate of the Ad Hoc Task Group on Financial Stability.
The Panel also agreed to: revisit the funding issue at IPCC 47; establish a task group on aligning the IPCC cycles and the UNFCCC global stocktake; and convene an expert meeting on SLCFs.
The Panel heard progress reports on communication and outreach activities, the IPCC Scholarship Programme and the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, which is expected to be approved by IPCC 48 in October 2018.
10 September 2017: The 46th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 46) has approved the chapter outlines for the three Working Group (WG) reports that, along with the Synthesis Report (SYR), will comprise the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). Following the approval of the chapter outlines by IPCC 46, which convened in Montreal, Canada, from 6-10 September 2017, the Panel will embark on the report author selection process. The WG reports are expected to be completed and approved in 2021.
WGI assesses the physical science basis of climate change, WGII addresses climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, and WGIII considers options for limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigating climate change.
IPCC 46 held general discussions on the SYR and heard an update on progress of the Ad Hoc Task Group on Financial Stability (ATG-Finance). Having considered various funding options for the IPCC, the Panel agreed to extend the Group’s mandate and to revisit the funding issue at IPCC 47, to be held in Paris, France, during the first half of 2018.
The first Lead Author meetings for the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate and the Special Report on Climate Change and Land will take place in October 2017.
The Panel also agreed to: admit 12 new observer organizations; heard a report of the Conflict of Interest (COI) Committee; establish a task group on aligning the IPCC cycles with the UNFCCC global stocktake (GST) whose mandate will be determined at IPCC 47; and convene an expert meeting on short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs). Due to time constraints, the Panel deferred consideration of developing country participation in IPCC activities, and matters related to the UNFCCC and other international bodies to IPCC 47.
In addition, the Panel heard progress reports on, inter alia: communication and outreach activities, the IPCC Scholarship Programme and the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15), which will hold its third Lead Author meeting in October 2017 and is expected to be approved by IPCC 48 in October 2018. Work on the other special reports will also continue in earnest. The first Lead Author meetings for the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) and the Special Report on Climate Change and Land (SRCCL) will both take place in October 2017. [IISD RS Coverage of IPCC 46] [WGI Report Outline] [WGII Report Outline] [WGIII Report Outline] [IPCC 46 Documents] [IPCC Press Release]