Canada will no longer cover travel costs of experts it nominates to UN’s climate science body

The recent decision by the federal government to stop covering the travel costs of Canadian experts volunteering for the next major global climate science assessment has left many scientists questioning their ability to participate in the United Nations climate science process. This sudden change has raised concerns among researchers who have dedicated countless hours to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) without compensation.

In the past, the government covered travel expenses for Canadian scientists participating in the IPCC’s reports, including airfare, accommodation, and meals for meetings with scientific collaborators around the world. However, the government’s decision to end travel funding has left scientists scrambling to find alternative sources of funding. This has put researchers in a difficult position, forcing them to consider using their own money or diverting grant funds that could be used for research and student support.

Leading climate scientists such as Robert McLeman from Wilfrid Laurier University and Sarah Burch from the University of Waterloo have expressed their disappointment with the government’s decision. McLeman, who was a lead author for the IPCC during its last assessment, described the move as “almost insulting” to Canadian scientists who have volunteered their time and expertise to contribute to the global understanding of climate change.

Burch, a lead author on the IPCC’s upcoming report on climate change in cities, highlighted the impact of the government’s decision on her ability to participate in future meetings. She mentioned that she would have to redirect funds from research support to cover her travel expenses, impacting her ability to support graduate students and publish papers.

Deborah McGregor from York University and Patricia Perkins from York University also shared concerns about the lack of funding for social science researchers to participate in IPCC meetings. McGregor emphasized that early-career researchers and those in disciplines like anthropology and economics would struggle to find alternative sources of funding for travel.

In response to the government’s decision, Environment and Climate Change Canada stated that it is unable to commit to providing long-term travel funding for academics to participate in IPCC meetings. The department noted that the government provided approximately $424,000 in travel funding for Canadian IPCC authors during the last assessment cycle and estimated that costs would be around $680,000 for the upcoming cycle.

Despite the challenges posed by the lack of travel funding, participating in the IPCC assessments remains crucial for advancing global climate diplomacy and understanding the impacts of climate change. The IPCC’s reports are considered the gold standard for climate science and have led to significant advancements in climate policy and international agreements.

While the decision to end travel funding may pose challenges for Canadian scientists, their contributions to the IPCC assessments are invaluable in providing up-to-date information on climate change risks and impacts. As researchers continue to navigate the changing landscape of climate science funding, their dedication to advancing our understanding of climate change remains unwavering.