Chapter 7 Australian Participation in the IPCCC

Fourth Assessment Report Preparations

Following agreement in 2001 (IPCC-XVIII) to conduct the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), the subsequent two sessions of the IPCC focused on setting the procedural and scientific framework for the AR4. It was agreed that the detailed structure would be explored at the scoping meetings during 2003, involving a broad cross section of invited reports. The first scoping meeting was held in Marrakech on 14-16 April 2003. Australia was represented by:

• Bryant McAvaney, Bureau of Meteorology (WG I);
• John Zillman, Bureau of Meteorology (WG II); and
• Brian Fisher, ABARE (WGIII).

The second scoping meeting was held in early September 2003 in Potsdam. Australia was represented by

• Neville Nicholls, Bureau of Meteorology (WGI);
• Tony McMichael, Australian National University (WGII);
• John Zillman, Bureau of Meteorology (WGII);
• Brian Fisher, ABARE (WGII); and
• Greg Terrill, Australian Greenhouse Office (Government representative).

The Twenty-First Session of the IPCC (November 2003, Vienna) is scheduled to discuss and resolve the structure for the AR4.

In February 2003, the IPCC also invited interested governments and organisations to submit their views on the scope and structure of the AR4 by the end of March 2003. Australia made a submission, as its first contribution to the IPCC AR4 process.