NAIROBI, Kenya, 21st June 2026 — The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has opened the second-order draft of its Special Report on Climate Change and Cities for expert and government review, marking another major milestone before its planned release in March 2027.

The report is the only special report being prepared during the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Cycle and the first to focus entirely on cities and climate change. It brings together 97 authors from 56 countries to assess the latest scientific evidence on how cities are contributing to climate change and how they can adapt while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, Winston Chow, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II and Professor of Urban Climate at Singapore Management University, said the report is designed to provide policymakers with the latest scientific knowledge needed to build more resilient and sustainable cities.

“Our authors have worked hard to address the tens of thousands of comments received on the first-order draft,” Chow said.

“The second-order draft reflects the expertise and perspectives of scientists and urban experts from around the world.”

The first-order draft, reviewed between October and December 2025, received more than 32,000 comments from 1,365 registered expert reviewers worldwide. The current review, which runs until 3 July 2026, also includes the first draft of the Summary for Policymakers.

 

Five chapters examining cities and climate action

The report is organised into five chapters covering the major aspects of climate change and urban development.

Chapter One establishes the current understanding of cities in the context of climate change, while Chapter Two examines climate trends, risks, challenges and opportunities facing urban areas.

Chapter Three focuses on practical actions to reduce climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions. Chapter Four explores ways to accelerate change through better governance, planning, finance and innovation, while Chapter Five highlights solutions for different city types and regions using evidence from case studies around the world.

Dr. Cathy Oke, Lead Author of Chapter One from the University of Melbourne, said the report aims to provide practical knowledge that reflects the diversity of cities and their unique climate challenges.

 

Greater diversity shaping the assessment

Chow said the current assessment cycle reflects growing diversity within the IPCC, bringing together experts from different regions, disciplines and cultural backgrounds. He also noted that more women are contributing to the assessment than in previous cycles.

The report also draws on a wider range of evidence, including policy documents, grey literature and Indigenous, traditional and local knowledge where supported by sound scientific methods.

“We do not tell governments what they must do,” Chow said. “Instead, we present the available options based on scientific evidence so they can make informed decisions.”

 

Journalists call for stronger climate communication

During the question-and-answer session, journalists highlighted the challenges of translating complex climate science into stories that local communities can easily understand.

Responding to a proposal for a formal training programme for journalists, Chow said the IPCC Secretariat is limited by its current procedures but welcomed the suggestion. He noted that workshops, side events and communication materials have supported journalists and communicators during previous assessment cycles, and said the idea of pre-release training sessions would be considered.

Looking beyond science to real-world impact

Asked how success would be measured, Chow said the report’s value would ultimately depend on whether city leaders, businesses and communities use its findings to shape climate policies and investments.

“Success means city mayors, local governments, businesses and communities recognising themselves in the report and using the science to guide their decisions,” he said.

Dr. Oke said one of the biggest opportunities in the current assessment cycle is the rapid growth of climate research from the Global South, providing stronger evidence from regions that were previously underrepresented.

She acknowledged that managing the growing volume of scientific literature remains a major challenge but said it also strengthens the quality of the assessment.

The panel also confirmed that discussions are underway on developing guidance for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in future IPCC assessment processes.

 

Next steps

Following the current review period, authors will revise the report before governments conduct a final review. The Summary for Policymakers will then be considered for approval during a plenary session ahead of the report’s publication in March 2027.

As cities continue to grow and face increasing climate risks, the report is expected to provide important scientific guidance for governments, urban planners, businesses and development partners working to build more climate-resilient and sustainable communities.

Experts can register to participate in the review process until 26 June 2026, while additional information and resources are available through the IPCC’s official Climate Change and Cities platform.

 

 

Compiled by:

Eunice Ngui,

Climate Change,Sustainable & Resilient Urban Cities,Food Systems,UN SDGs,Agriculture & Biodiversity Editor

 

 

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