The 60th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-60), set to unfold in Istanbul from January 16 to 19, 2024, is poised to be a decisive milestone in steering the course of policy-relevant climate change research in future years. Aiming to streamline future endeavors of the seventh assessment cycle of the IPCC, discussions will encompass crucial decisions on the program of work, timelines, and the production of the IPCC assessment.

The 60th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-60) is scheduled to convene in Istanbul, Türkiye, from January 16 to 19, 2024, marking the second meeting of the seventh assessment cycle. Italy will be represented in the negotiations by the IPCC Focal Point.

The meeting is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future landscape of climate change research, providing valuable insights and priorities for climate researchers in the coming years. Its outcomes will set the agenda for the IPCC in terms of the production of assessment reports and their timing during this new seventh assessment cycle (AR7).

Decisions on the work programme are being taken in the context of the advances in climate science research and national, regional and international policy development, including the preparation of the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions for 2025 and next Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement in 2028.

Key discussions during IPCC-60 will revolve around lessons learned from the sixth assessment cycle (AR6), addressing challenges such as the unprecedented volume of reports and high workload, the rapidly expanding literature, and the need to broaden the participation in the process and the breadth of knowledge that is assessed. There will be a focus on the necessity for shorter, more concise reports that emphasize new science and key policy-relevant information needs. Additionally, efforts to enhance collaboration between Working Groups will be explored as a crucial factor for achieving a more successful integration of the assessment findings and so strengthen the resulting key messages.

The meeting will deliberate on options for the program of work, including three different scenarios for the number and topics of cycle products. The AR7 already includes a Special Report on climate change and cities, as well as a Methodology Report on short-lived climate forcers. Countries will decide on the preparation of the assessment reports by the IPCC Working Groups as well as whether other Special Reports will be prepared.

Member countries have been surveyed to identify key priorities for the AR7, including priority topics to be treated by the assessment. These include loss and damage, adaptation, tipping points, abatement and removal technologies, and sustainable development. The cycle duration is expected to span 5-7 years, aligning with a decision from IPCC-57 to ensure relevant and timely information for the next global stocktake.

Established in 1988, the IPCC comprises 195 member governments of the United Nations or the World Meteorological Organization. As a vital source of scientific information, the Panel informs governments and contributes to global climate change negotiations, producing comprehensive assessment reports and special reports based on the expertise of thousands of volunteer IPCC authors. Recently elected IPCC Chair Jim Skea will lead the seventh assessment cycle, with an intention to emphasize inclusiveness, diversity, scientific integrity, and policy relevance.