Al Gore: Saudi Arabia has attempted to sabotage the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Our verdict: True.
Al Gore made the claim in a public statement reported by Yahoo News (AFP), in which he criticised Saudi Arabia's veto power at climate talks and said it was trying to sabotage the IPCC.
Our verdict
True
Al Gore's claim that Saudi Arabia has attempted to sabotage the work of the IPCC is accurate. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly delayed IPCC reports, opposed procedural proposals, and placed oil-industry affiliates in key roles, and Al Gore publicly accused it of sabotage.
What we found
We rated this claim true. Al Gore publicly stated that Saudi Arabia is trying to sabotage the work of the IPCC, as reported by Yahoo News (AFP). That accusation is backed by a wide range of reporting. Reuters, in The Japan Times, described Saudi Arabia as a central player in a multi-year deadlock over the timeline for the next IPCC reports. Politico reported that Saudi Arabia opposed the inclusion of after-the-fact policy analysis and fought to change the scope of chapters on fossil fuel emissions. Le Monde reported that Saudi Arabia formally insisted on delaying the IPCC's seventh assessment report, and that France condemned the effort. Down To Earth reported that Saudi Arabia pushed for longer timelines, helping to block agreement for a sixth time. Carbon Brief reported that diplomats at the June 2026 Bonn climate talks accused Saudi Arabia of undermining climate science. The Guardian reported that Saudi Arabia placed state-affiliated employees and officials into influential IPCC roles, and that it has a history of trying to water down IPCC reports. Academic research from CSSN described undermining science as a core strategy of Saudi envoys. No source contradicted the accusation.
The evidence
5 of 6 sources support the claim; none contradict it.
- Background
Al Gore publicly stated that Saudi Arabia is trying to sabotage the work of the IPCC. [1]
- Supports the claim
Saudi Arabia is actively participating in a multi-year deadlock over the timeline for the next IPCC reports, arguing for more time. [2]
- Supports the claim
Saudi Arabia opposed the inclusion of after-the-fact policy analysis and fought to alter the scope of chapters on fossil fuel emissions. [3]
- Supports the claim
Saudi Arabia has a documented history of seeking to water down IPCC reports and obstructing climate action. [4]
- Supports the claim
Academic research identifies undermining science as a core strategy of Saudi Arabian envoys within the IPCC. [5]
- Supports the claim
Saudi Arabia formally insisted on delaying the publication of the IPCC's seventh assessment report, drawing condemnation from France. [6]
What we could not confirm
- No direct Saudi admission of intent to sabotage the IPCC was found in the public record.
- The fact check covers publicly reported statements and documented procedural opposition up to 2026; later developments were not considered.
- Characterising obstructive diplomatic tactics as 'sabotage' involves a political judgment; this fact check verifies the accusation and a pattern of actions consistent with it, not a legal determination.
How we checked
We looked at Al Gore's public statement as reported by Yahoo News (AFP), and at reporting from Reuters, Politico, The Guardian, Le Monde, Down To Earth, Carbon Brief, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, and academic research from CSSN on Saudi Arabia's actions within the IPCC. We reviewed 11 relevant sources.
Sources
- [1]Yahoo News (AFP) · Gore blasts 'insane' Saudi veto power at climate talks
- [2]The Japan Times (Reuters) · Inside the deadlock at the world’s top climate science body · October 9, 2026
- [3]Politico · Global climate science body roiled by controversies stoked by Saudis, US
- [4]theguardian.com · Why have countries been pushing for a vital global climate report to be delayed? · October 20, 2026
- [5]cssn.org · Decades of Systematic Obstructionism - CSSN Issue Paper · November 1, 2023
- [6]lemonde.fr · France condemns effort to delay major IPCC climate report · March 31, 2026
Have evidence we missed?
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