Hello (again) from Working Group II! 👋🏼

We are closing in on the deadline for the call for author nominations for the 7th Assessment Report (AR7) so you'll find some additional webinars and also our 🌸 mini interviews 🌸 to get a glimpse of what it means to be an IPCC author.

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Today, we have Dr Linda Yanti Sulistiawati. She's the Associate Professor of Law at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law. Linda reflects on her experience as a Lead Author back in AR6, as she returns as an author again in AR7 on the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. Check it out below.

Linda's reflections as a developing country author 💬, how she manages being a researcher, Professor and author 🌀, and why she's back again for AR7 📘 ⤵️

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How did you first get involved as an author? How does it differ from your day to day?

My first experience as an IPCC author was as Lead Author (LA) in WG III, AR6. I was recruited by the Indonesian IPCC focal point who requested me to apply to AR6. The work is very different, meaning that being an LA in the IPCC doesn’t necessarily mean that you write your assigned section, but more importantly you need to read and assess all the available research on your assigned sections 📑.

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Is it true that IPCC authorship is a big undertaking? How did you manage your role as an author with your day-to-day responsibilities?

Yes and no. Yes it is a big responsibility, but also it is my job as a researcher and professor to read all available new research on my subject anyhow. 💡💡 So in my case, being an LA is complementary to my day-to-day activities.

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What are some of the challenges of being an IPCC author?

As a developing country Lead Author, I am always conscious on including developing countries perspectives in the sections that I am assigned to. But literature from the developing countries are somehow more scarce than developed countries' literature. (Editor's note: Linda is from Indonesia🇮🇩!)

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This is a massive report and author teams are diverse. How do authors work together to decide what goes into the final report?

We work in Chapter teams, and also cross Chapter teams. Everything needs to be discussed and agreed upon, during meetings and discussions. 💬 In the end, whatever we write needs to be approved by the government to be published as an IPCC report. (Editor's note: For our Special Report, we have around 97 experts from various domains, from about 56 countries!)

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There is so much literature out there, how do author teams figure out what makes it to the final report and also plug expertise and research gaps?

We rely on each other’s expertise and ensure that we incorporate the latest and most reliable research. When research gaps arise, we can reach out to contributing authors for their insights and expertise. 💭

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What are the highlights of being an IPCC author? Any fun anecdotes?

Your network will expand exponentially, as you will become acquainted with key figures in the climate change sector. Additionally, this recognition enhances your credibility as a researcher. Being an IPCC author signifies that your expertise is acknowledged by the most prominent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 🌐

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Why did you decide to come back to do this again?

Because being an IPCC author allows me to stay up to date with the latest research in my field.

Here are some of the introduction seminars that our IPCC Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs are involved in for you to check out. We'd strongly encourage you to join us. Sign up now and don't miss it!

West Africa event on 7 April 2025 (online)

This outreach event provides an opportunity to engage with leading climate scientists and IPCC contributors to learn about the role of IPCC, the upcoming 7th Assessment Report (AR7) and how West African experts can contribute to shaping global climate knowledge. RSVP below. RSVP here

Central Africa event on 8 April 2025 (online)

To those based in Central Africa, this outreach event provides an opportunity to engage with leading climate scientists and IPCC contributors to learn about the role of IPCC, the upcoming 7th Assessment Report (AR7) and how Central African experts can contribute to shaping global climate knowledge. RSVP below. RSVP here

North Africa event on 9 April 2025 (online)

To those based in North Africa, this outreach event provides an opportunity to engage with leading climate scientists and IPCC contributors to learn about the role of IPCC, the upcoming 7th Assessment Report (AR7) and how North African experts can contribute to shaping global climate knowledge. RSVP below. RSVP here

West Africa event on 9 April 2025 in French (online)

Webinaire d'information du 7eme cycle d'evaluation du GIEC. RSVP here

Below are events and calls by other organisations that we are aware of but not involved in:

Event for Indigenous Experts on 7 and 8 April 2025 (online)

Here's an information seminar for indigenous experts who are keen to find out more about getting involved with the IPCC AR7 reports. This event is co-hosted by the Inuit Circumpolar Council and the Assembly of First Nations. IPCC Working Group I Vice-Chair Sherilee Harper will be sharing at this event. There are 2 event timings, please check out the poster when you click the below. RSVP here

MRI event on 9 April 2025 (online)

In this information webinar, the Mountain Research Initiative presents a brief overview of the IPCC AR7 and share some insights and advice on how to get involved in and contribute to the AR7 assessment, including lessons learnt from the the previous assessment (AR6). In this webinar, we specifically take a “mountains lens” perspective to highlight opportunities for mountain-specific inputs, plus share some tips and recommendations for the nomination process and beyond. Register below. RSVP here

ISC's call for author nominations (online)

Please check out International Science Council's call for author nominations for the IPCC AR7 on their website below. Read here

Curious about the nomination process?

We know it can be confusing so we put together a list of links that you need to know about the process of being nominated, what to expect, how to get nominated and more.

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Progress of our reports 🗓️

Working Group II contributions to the 7th Assessment Report ​ Where we are at 👉 Call for nominations of AR7 authors from 7 March 2025 to 17 April 2025, midnight CEST ​ Up next 👉 Selection of authors

​ ​ Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (SR Cities) ​ Where we are at 👉 First Lead Author Meeting (LAM1) just concluded on 14 March 2025 ​ Up next 👉 Second Lead Author Meeting (LAM2) in July 2025

The IPCC Working Group II update is an independent effort of the IPCC Working Group II Technical Support Unit meant to provide informal updates about the work of the Working Group and should not be taken as official communications from the IPCC. If you would like to reach out to the IPCC, please get in touch with the media contacts at the IPCC Secretariat (ipcc-media@wmo.int) or Working Group II (media@ipccwg2.org).

IPCC Working Group II Update #8 | 7 April 2025