The next generation of climate leaders is taking the stage. The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics ICTP and the InterAcademy Partnership IAP are proud to welcome 57 early-career scientists from developing countries and countries with economies in transition DC/EITs as Chapter Scientists for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC Seventh Assessment Report AR7. These rising experts will play a key role in the report by supporting the chapter teams during the drafting process, primarily through technical and coordination support.

The IPCC provides policymakers with regular assessments on the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and potential future risks, as well as the adaptation and mitigation options. IPCC Assessment Reports draw on the expertise of thousands of scientists and experts to provide the most up-to-date evidence on climate change.

Wellcome has committed funding to ensure that scientists with diverse scientific expertise can participate fully in the IPCC process over the next four years. This support will provide Chapter Scientists with stipends, equipment, IT resources and travel and subsistence, enabling their contribution to the work of the chapter teams.

Haidee Bell, Head of Equity Partnering at Wellcome, said,

“Global science is stronger and more effective when it draws on diverse expertise from every region. This initiative will help to ensure Coordinating Lead Authors from developing countries have the support they need to fully participate in the IPCC process.”

The programme, coordinated by ICTP and IAP, both of which have a strong record of supporting sustainable science in DC/EITs, attracted more than 5,000 applications, from which 57 Chapter Scientists were ultimately selected through a competitive selection process led by ICTP, IAP and IPCC Coordinating Lead Authors.

“We were all impressed by the many high-level applications received from early-career scientists. There are so many highly motivated and qualified scientists keen to engage in the IPCC process,” says Fred Kucharski, a climate scientist in ICTP's Earth System Physics Section and Head of the Centre's External Activities Unit.

“Having coordinated the interview process, it was already clear during the application review phase that the overall quality was extremely high. Several Coordinating Lead Authors shared feedback such as, ‘I have reviewed the applications and was truly impressed with their quality, it was hard to make a shortlist’ and this strong impression was consistently confirmed during the interviews themselves,” said Giulia Gennari, Associate Programme Officer in ICTP's External Activities Unit.

“What also stood out most was the depth of motivation among many candidates. For a large number of them, this opportunity represents not only a professional step, but a meaningful way to engage directly in the IPCC process, connect with a global network of experts and contribute to an issue that is deeply personal, given the real and growing impacts of climate change in their home countries,” she added.

Climate change disproportionately affects developing countries; at the same time, scientists from those regions are underrepresented in global climate research. “Scientists from developing countries and countries with economies in transition have been cited less in climate scientific literature; representation and visibility have improved over time in line with the IPCC’s ongoing efforts to broaden participation and inclusivity, while some structural challenges persist. This new Wellcome-supported initiative aims to help remove one of these barriers, enabling Coordinating Lead Authors from those countries to participate more effectively and equitably in the IPCC process,” explained Kucharski.

Another important component of the programme is capacity building through career development. “It is expected that some of the Chapter Scientists could become Lead Authors in future IPCC assessment reports,” said Kucharski.

Dr. Modi Mwatsama, Head of Capacity & Field Building at Wellcome, said, “Building long-term research capacity in countries most impacted by the health impacts of climate change is essential. By giving these early-career researchers meaningful exposure to the IPCC process, this initiative will help to develop the next generation of experts that our field depends on.”

“Beyond the immediate contribution to AR7, the programme is also an important future-oriented investment in capacity building, helping to foster a new generation of scientists with first-hand experience of international climate assessments,” Gennari added. “The final group of 57 selected Chapter Scientists also reflects a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, made possible by Wellcome’s support, with 53% women and representation from 28 countries across Africa 28%, Asia 49%, Latin America 19% and Oceania 4%,” she noted, “which is particularly important for an assessment process that aims to capture the global dimensions of climate impacts and adaptation.”

“IAP is pleased to collaborate on this programme, which aligns well with our goal of building capacity in the field of science advice to policymakers,” added Peter McGrath, IAP Coordinator. “The IPCC assessment process requires author teams to assess an ever-expanding body of scientific literature under tight timelines. This initiative provides dedicated support through Chapter Scientists, helping them to manage these demands,” McGrath continued.

Please find the Italian version of the press release for download below.