Stories of Impact
UCC Researcher to Shape Global Climate Policy Through IPCC Appointment
Dr Vahid Aryanpur of UCC’s Sustainability Institute and School of Engineering & Architecture has been appointed a Lead Author for Working Group III of the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7).
Dr Vahid Aryanpur, researcher at the UCC Sustainability Institute and School of Engineering & Architecture, has been appointed Lead Author for Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) — one of the most influential scientific assessments guiding international climate policy.
Working Group III focuses on climate change mitigation — identifying practical pathways to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and accelerate the global transition to net-zero. As Lead Author of Chapter 11: Transport and Mobility Services and Systems, Dr Aryanpur will contribute cutting-edge research and policy insights on how innovations in transport, urban mobility, and logistics can deliver deep emission reductions worldwide.
“I have been appointed as a Lead Author of the Working Group III contribution to the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Report (AR7), focusing on Chapter 11: Transport and mobility services and systems. This chapter will examine mitigation options and strategies for passenger and freight transport. It will also highlight the importance of combining demand management solutions with new technologies across all modes of transport—from private cars and trucks to aviation and shipping.”
— Dr Vahid Aryanpur
The appointment highlights UCC’s growing leadership in climate research and sustainability innovation. Through the Sustainability Institute, UCC researchers are advancing solutions that integrate engineering, policy, and behavioural science to tackle complex global challenges.
The Seventh Assessment Cycle (2023–2029) builds on the landmark findings of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, which underpinned negotiations at COP28. Over the next five years, AR7 will deliver:
-
A Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (2027)
-
A Methodology Report on Short-lived Climate Forcers
-
A Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies
-
And a Synthesis Report integrating the findings of all Working Groups by 2029
Dr Aryanpur’s appointment, selected from among more than 3,700 global nominations, underscores the international recognition of UCC’s expertise in sustainable systems and climate action.
The IPCC’s assessment reports guide national climate strategies, UN negotiations, and investment decisions across sectors. UCC’s contribution will help ensure that Ireland’s voice — and its research — continue to inform the world’s collective response to the climate crisis.