Major IPCC workshops bring diverse climate voices to Reading
University of Reading
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will host two major international workshops at the University of Reading in February 2026.
The closed workshops, held at the University of Reading in collaboration with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Met Office, will run from 10 to 12 February and will help to make IPCC reports more inclusive and robust.
The first workshop will examine how to better include diverse knowledge systems in IPCC work. This means exploring how indigenous, local, and practitioner knowledge can work alongside scientific research to create more complete climate assessments.
The second workshop will focus on improving assessment methods. This includes exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can help climate scientists review huge amounts of research more efficiently, as well as better techniques for evaluating climate action and policies.
The workshops will produce recommendations for consideration by authors working on the entire set of IPCC reports planned for the seventh assessment cycle.
Prof Sir Jim Skea, Chair of the IPCC said: “The outcomes and recommendations of the two scientific workshops will provide critical guidance for the IPCC leadership and authors working on the next IPCC assessment. The guidance will help them assess the ever-growing body of climate literature and engage with wider forms of knowledge, including that by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The University of Reading has been a generous host and a genuine partner in this effort.”
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: "The University of Reading has one of the largest clusters of climate scientists in the world and a global reputation for excellence in climate research. Hosting these IPCC workshops reflects our expertise and our commitment to advancing climate knowledge. We're bringing together diverse voices from across the planet to strengthen how we understand and respond to the climate challenge. This collaboration is exactly what's needed to make real progress."
Minister for Climate, Katie White, said:“These workshops bring together world‑leading scientists to strengthen the IPCC’s assessments - the foundation for climate action over the next decade.
"The University of Reading, the Met Office and the UK Government are proud to host this work, demonstrating the UK’s scientific leadership in action as we tackle the climate challenge head-on.”
Professor Rowan Sutton, Director of Met Office Hadley Centre and Professor of Climate Science, University of Reading said: “The Met Office is proud to be supporting Reading University to bring together these important workshops on indigenous knowledge and artificial intelligence. Effective climate action must be based on robust and up to date scientific evidence. The IPCC plays the central role in ensuring this evidence is gathered, assessed and made available to policy makers around the world. The Met Office is proud to have six lead authors in the current assessment cycle, highlighting our role as a global leader in climate science and our commitment to the IPCC process.”
Pre-workshop events
On Monday 9 February, the University of Reading will host three events offering a rare opportunity to understand how the world's leading climate science body works.
An afternoon introduction (2:00pm - 3:00pm) will inform invited guests, including many early career researchers, about pathways to getting involved in the IPCC. Business owners and decision-makers invited to a subsequent session, running from 4:00pm-5:30pm, will be informed how they can make use of IPCC reports and findings.
The day concludes with a high-level public lecture and panel discussion (6:30-8:00pm) led by IPCC Chair Professor Sir Jim Skea, which will explain what the IPCC does and how it functions. The session will also highlight the key scientific questions in the current report cycle and the objectives of the two workshops.
Members of the public can register to attend the evening lecture in person or online: The Science Behind the Climate Headlines: An Introduction to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
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