Over 140 experts to tackle urban challenges in a warming world.
In a critical step towards understanding the unique challenges faced by urban areas in a warming world, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will gather over 140 leading experts from 65 countries next week. This week-long scoping meeting, scheduled for April 16th to 19th in Riga, Latvia, marks the beginning of the IPCC’s Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.
The report, slated for release in early 2027, will be the sole special report produced during the IPCC’s seventh assessment cycle. A collaborative effort led by the IPCC’s Working Groups I, II, and III, the report will provide a comprehensive analysis of how cities are impacted by climate change, their vulnerabilities, and potential adaptation strategies.
This initiative builds on previous work authorized by the IPCC during its sixth assessment cycle, including a special report on climate change and cities and a methodology report on short-lived climate forcers. The forthcoming seventh Assessment Report will include contributions from each of the three working groups, culminating in a Synthesis Report due by late 2029. These working groups will address the physical science basis of climate change, its impacts and vulnerabilities, potential adaptation strategies, and mitigation efforts.
The IPCC will also produce a separate Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage. Additionally, the IPCC plans to revise its 1994 Technical Guidelines on Impacts and Adaptation, incorporating the latest advancements in adaptation indicators, metrics, and guidelines.