Undermining the IPCC puts global climate action at risk

As world leaders prepare for COP31 in Antalya, they need the best and most up-to-date science to guide their efforts to tackle the climate crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been the bedrock of global climate monitoring, diagnosis, and action for decades. Yet the world’s leading climate science authority is being starved of resources and its scientific reports pushed off schedule – putting its future at risk.

The world cannot afford to lose the IPCC. Governments must come together to reaffirm its value and safeguard its work – or risk severely harming the collective response to climate change.

The Elders believe that government action must continue to draw on the best and most recent scientific evidence. For over three decades, the IPCC has provided this through one of the world’s most inclusive and comprehensive scientific processes. Its authority is unparalleled.

As the IPCC talks resume in December, all countries must work with Chair Jim Skea to resolve the outstanding differences over funding and the timeline.

As many governments are increasing military spending, the modest funding the IPCC needs to sustain its vital work on human security must be protected. Otherwise, we risk losing a rigorous, authoritative scientific body that would be extremely difficult to rebuild.

09/11/2026

Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair of The Elders

Graça Machel, Founder of the Graça Machel Trust, Co-founder and Deputy Chair of The Elders

Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the WHO

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former head of the UN Development Programme

Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former President and Prime Minister of Mongolia

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Hina Jilani, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and co-chair of the Taskforce on Justice

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate

Denis Mukwege, physician and human rights advocate, Nobel Peace Laureate

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico