LONDON — Ideally, science and politics — like oil and water — should not mix. But in the world’s premier climate science institution, oil is fighting to gain the upper hand.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is embroiled in a series of behind-closed-door controversies, stoked by fossil fuel-producing countries and the United States’ withdrawal as an active participant.
One fight set to boil over in the coming weeks centers on selecting the leading authors for a section of the next major IPCC report, which will recommend policies for governments to cut down fossil fuel emissions.
The IPCC’s findings are the foundation of human understanding of climate change, guiding governments and investors on future decisions. As such, they face intense scientific and political scrutiny.
