Work

Mapping the epistemic geography of the intergovernmental panel on climate change (1995–2022)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper maps the epistemic geography of the mitigation working group (WGIII) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It thus contributes to the study of the science-policy interface of the IPCC and its authors. We mapped the WGIII authors’ scientific publications and created visual networks based on bibliographic coupling of the IPCC authors of Assessment Reports 2–6. We found that, over time, the scientific community behind integrated assessment models (IAMs) has gained greater prominence in the epistemic geography, and today most of the IPCC WGIII authors rely on IAMs as a way to analyze the impacts of mitigation efforts. Subsequently, we discuss the consequences of this development for climate knowledge, climate policy, and the crowding out of other relevant academic approaches, theories, and qualitative data. We conclude by suggesting a more comprehensive approach to the methodological approaches in the IPCC assessments.

Source: Environmental Science & Policy

DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104291

Authors: Alberte Bau Larsen, Anders Kristian Munk, Henning Sten Hansen, Theresa Scavenius

Institutions: Technical University of Denmark, Aalborg University

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change Policy and Economics

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,250