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Key developments: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is stuck in a historic deadlock over report timelines and inclusivity, with major economies urging extra time for scientists from poorer nations to contribute. This impasse jeopardises the delivery of three critical assessment reports—covering climate causes, vulnerability and mitigation—planned for approval by September 2028, just before the 2028 UN climate negotiations.
Why it matters: Delays in the IPCC’s reports could leave policymakers without the latest, peer‑reviewed science as global emissions climb and climate impacts intensify. At the same time, extreme water scarcity is already evident: Lake Powell has dropped to its historic low, and Lake Mead is similarly depleted, underscoring the urgent need for robust climate data to guide water‑resource management.
What to watch next: Negotiators at the October plenary in Addis Ababa will seek a compromise on the IPCC schedule, while the IPCC’s scientific teams aim to meet the September 2028 deadline. Parallel monitoring of water basins like the Colorado River will continue, with further updates expected as drought conditions persist and Arctic sea‑ice melt seasons lengthen, highlighting the broader climate stressors that demand timely scientific guidance. [[1, 2]]