The First Lead Author Meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Cities taking place in Osaka, Japan, from March 10 to 14, 2025, brings together almost 100 selected experts from more than 50 countries.
The meeting, hosted at the Osaka International Convention Centre by the Ministry of Environment of Japan, brings together experts with backgrounds in physical science, impacts, adaptation, vulnerability, and mitigation, including researchers and practitioners from urban communities designated to serve as Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors on the report, who have been selected by the scientific bureaus of the three Working Groups.
“The IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities will provide a foundation for all of us to harness the full potential of our cities in tackling climate change, ensuring that they are resilient, inclusive and sustainable for generations to come. We look forward to the insights that our invited experts will bring to developing a robust and actionable report,” said Winston Chow, Co-Chair of Working Group II.
The meeting marks the beginning of the drafting process for this Special Report, which is the only Special Report of the seventh assessment cycle and is scheduled to be finalised in March 2027. Selected authors will work on developing the report based on the outline agreed by the Panel during its 61st Session held in Sofia, Bulgaria from August 27 to July 2, 2024. In this lead author meeting, authors will discuss the literature to be assessed in the report, and how the different chapters will complement each other.
The Special Report on Climate Change and Cities will provide a timely assessment of the latest science related to climate change and cities, including climate impacts and risks, as well as adaptation and mitigation solutions.
“It is exciting to meet the leading experts selected from all corners of the world and diverse fields who come together to draft this Special Report. We applaud the commitment of the scientists and practitioners who volunteer their time and work towards a more liveable future of our cities.” said Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee for the scoping of the Special Report and Vice Chair of the IPCC.