The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) have reacted to the US government’s announcement on Thursday, January 8, 2026, about its withdrawal from more than 60 UN and non-UN organisations.
In a statement, Dr. David Obura, Chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), disclosed that the body regrets “the deeply disappointing news” of the United States’ intention to withdraw its participation in IPBES, along with over 60 other international organisations and bodies.
Obura submitted: “The United States is a founding member of IPBES and scientists, policymakers and stakeholders – including Indigenous Peoples and local communities – from the United States have been among the most engaged contributors to the work of IPBES since its establishment in 2012, making valuable contributions to objective science-based assessments of the state of the planet, for people and nature.
“The contribution of US experts ranges from leading landmark Assessment Reports, to presiding over negotiations, serving as authors and reviewers, as well as helping to steer the organisation both scientifically and administratively.
“Decision-makers in the United States – at all levels and in all spheres of society – have also been among the most prolific users of the work produced by IPBES to help better inform policy, regulations, investments and future research.
“On behalf of the global IPBES community, I want to express our sincere thanks for all these invaluable contributions, and our determination to continue exploring avenues and opportunities for future engagement.
“IPBES has not yet received any formal notification directly from Government of the United States but anticipates that the intention expressed to withdraw will mean that the United States will soon cease to be a member of IPBES.
“While it is clearly the prerogative of Governments to withdraw from global processes, like those of IPBES, it is important to remember that this does not change the science or the relevance of that science to the lives and livelihoods of people in every community, in every part of the world.
“Unfortunately, we cannot withdraw from the fact that more than 1 million species of plants and animals face extinction (IPBES Global Assessment, 2019). Nor can we change the fact that the global economy is losing as much as $25 trillion per year in environmental impacts (IPBES Nexus Assessment, 2024) or restore the missed opportunities of not acting now to generate more than $10 trillion in business opportunity value and 395 million jobs by 2030 (IPBES Transformative Change Assessment, 2024).
“The mandate of IPBES is as clear as it is important: to objectively and without prescription, provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors – for better informed decisions, policy and action. Our commitment to this goal – as the whole IPBES community – remains unwavering. Science and policy for people and nature.”
The IPCC, an organisation consisting of governments that are members of the United Nations or the World Meteorological Organisation, stated that, in line with the principles governing IPCC’s work, participation in the work and processes of the IPCC is voluntary, free and open to all WMO and UN Member countries – with or without a formal announcement.
“The preparation of the scientific reports agreed by the member governments for this assessment cycle is underway. The Panel continues to make decisions by consensus among its member governments at its regular Plenary sessions. Our attention remains firmly on the delivery of these reports,” said IPCC Chair, Jim Skea.
The non-UN body adds: “The IPCC is a unique interface between science and policy. Because of the IPCC’s scientific and intergovernmental nature, its assessments of scientific knowledge related to climate change provide rigorous and balanced scientific, evidence-based actionable information to the world’s decision-makers.
“IPCC reports provide governments at all levels with scientific information to support the development of climate policies. They also deliver key scientific inputs into international climate change negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“The IPCC is the longest-standing intergovernmental panel. It has a unique capacity to assess and synthesise the vast and exponentially growing body of scientific knowledge on climate change, its impacts, and available responses.”