Enhancing the review process in global environmental assessments: The case of the IPCC

External review is a fundamental component of Global Environmental Assessments, ensuring their processes are comprehensive, objective, open and transparent, perceived as such. Here, we focus on Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Reports. The process has received little scrutiny, although comments author responses public. Here analyse documents from the Fourth Fifth focusing primarily Working Group II. We address three questions: Is representative? it comprehensive? insightful? Overall found to be fit for purpose, there outstanding issues. First, overwhelming majority reviewers developed countries, evidence suggests participation by developing country increased between Assessments. Second, earlier sections chapters more densely reviewed than later ones. This true even when executive summaries removed analysis. In consequence, some specialised topics may escape in-depth review. Thirdly, those which make valid valuable contribution scientific development chapters. suggest how issues could addressed, including through enhanced reviewer recognition, wider role editors, adherence mandated page lengths early in process, training, consistency reporting allow systematic evaluation. Making such changes will result consistent representative delivering reviews effectively contribute credibility legitimacy future Assessments and, ultimately, recognition contribution. • Effective transparent essential reputation relevance IPCC reports. reports overwhelmingly small number countries. Some do not receive adequate attention reviewers. Submitted development. Proposed include recruitment, training recognition.