The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is tasked with assessing the science related to climate change. Its key findings are compiled into periodic Assessment Reports for policymakers and the general public that are published every five to seven years. For its Seventh Assessment Report, Dr. Stella Shumba was selected as Coordinating Lead Author of the IPCC Working Group II, Chapter 7, and Prof. Dr. Zita Sebesvari has been appointed as a Lead Author of the IPCC Working Group III, Chapter 8.
Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors have an important role, since these authors are responsible for writing the report chapters and revising them based on feedback received during two official IPCC review stages: first by expert reviewers, and then by both governments and experts in a second round.
Prof. Dr. Sebesvari, who has contributed to previous work of the IPCC, explains: “I worked on the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate before, and it really made me see how important and complex the IPCC's work is. The authors voluntarily dedicate several years of their time to working as a team to serve the global community. I am proud to have the opportunity to contribute to this enormous effort once more.”
For the upcoming Seventh Assessment Report, Working Group II assesses the scientific, technical, environmental, economic and social aspects of vulnerability to climate change, the negative and positive consequences of climate change and options for adapting to it, while Working Group III assesses the scientific, technical, environmental, economic and social aspects of the mitigation of climate change.
Dr. Shumba’s Chapter 7 will focus on how different parts of the world may experience climate change differently. For example, it looks at how various regions are expected to experience changes in weather patterns and extreme events under future scenarios. The region of Dr. Shumba’s focus will predominantly concern Africa.
“It’s a great honour to serve as Coordinating Lead Author for the Africa Chapter of the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Report” Dr. Shumba said. “This is a crucial opportunity to bring African science, perspectives and lived realities to the centre of global climate conversations. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the continent and beyond to shape a chapter that reflects both the urgency and the hope of our times.”
The Chapter Prof. Dr. Sebesvari will contribute to will assess demand-side mitigation options and new ways of providing services and how these can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions considering synergies and co-benefits for adaptation, health, security and inclusive development.
Please find more information about the IPCC and its work here.
