TIME has named Panmao Zhai and Valérie Masson-Delmotte to this year’s TIME100 list, the magazine’s annual list of the 100 most infltuential people in the world. The full list and related tributes will appear in the June 6 / June 13 double issue of TIME, available here.
Valérie Masson-Delmotte and Panmao Zhai are the Co-Chairs of the IPCC Working Group I for the latest IPCC cycle – the Sixth Assessment cycle. Most recently they have led the development the Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report on the physical science basis of climate change.
The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report comprises also of the contributions from Working Groups II and III and a Synthesis Report.
“This selection really highlights the increasing recognition and understanding of climate
change around the world, and the importance of the IPCC’s recently issued three Working Group reports to inform policy,” said Panmao Zhai in reaction to the announcement.
The Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report on the physical science basis of climate change was released on August 9, 2021. The Working Group II contribution that looks at impacts, adaptation, and vulnerabilities was launched on February 28 this year. The Working Group III contribution on the mitigation of climate change was released on April 4, 2022.
“I am very glad that Panmao and I, together, can give a face to their extraordinary work to assess and communicate the state of knowledge for our changing climate, related risks, and options for action,” added Masson-Delmotte.
The TIME100 list, now in its 19th year, recognises the impact, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.
The IPCC is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in 1988 to provide political leaders with periodic scientific assessments concerning climate change, its implications and risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies.
