Enviro News Asia, Geneva — Authors and experts from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change convened in Santiago for the Second Lead Author Meeting of Working Group I, marking a key milestone in the preparation of the Seventh Assessment Report (AR7).
The meeting, held at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile from April 21 to 24, focuses on advancing the First Order Draft of the report, which assesses the physical science basis of climate change.
According to Working Group I Co-Chair Robert Vautard, the gathering builds on initial discussions held in Paris in December 2025 and represents a crucial step in developing a robust scientific assessment.
He noted that the collaborative exchanges among scientists are central to the IPCC’s assessment process, ensuring the report is grounded in rigorous and comprehensive analysis.
The First Order Draft is scheduled for expert review between August 10 and October 2, 2026. The report will undergo multiple review stages, including joint evaluations by governments and experts, before final approval at an IPCC plenary session.
Co-Chair Xiaoye Zhang emphasized that the multi-stage review process ensures the report remains comprehensive, balanced, and policy-relevant without being prescriptive, reinforcing trust in IPCC assessments.
The Working Group I author team consists of 193 experts from 62 countries, including 40 percent new contributors. Women represent 43 percent of the authors, while 46 percent come from developing countries and economies in transition.
The AR7 report is expected to play a critical role in informing global climate policy and strengthening scientific understanding of climate change. (*)
