Narelle van der Wel is an experienced climate science professional with a Ph.D. in Polar Studies (Glaciology) and a decade of experience advancing global climate research priorities. She has played a central role in the WCRP Secretariat, with responsibilities that include project management, strategic planning, communication, program oversight, and leadership of a multidisciplinary international team. Narelle leads flagship initiatives and contributes to high-impact scientific assessments, leveraging her background in physical, social, and political sciences to effectively bridge science and policy. Passionate about international collaboration, Narelle excels at guiding complex projects and ensuring that cutting-edge climate research is translated into actionable insights that inform global decision-making.
Current responsibilities include:
Narelle is originally from New Zealand. She completed a Ph.D. in Polar Studies (Glaciology) at Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, UK, in 2012, focusing on the numerical modeling of ice streams in Antarctica. She then worked as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the Scott Polar Research Institute, where she contributed to two strategic reports on Greenland glacier change. In September 2018, she also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Change Management at the University of Edinburgh.
Risk KAN Steering Committee - Ex-officio member for WCRP
Contributing author to several recent publications:
Hebden, S., van der Wel, N., Liddy, H. et al. Special Issue: International Space Science Institute (ISSI) Workshop on Tipping Elements in the Earth’s Climate System. Surv Geophys (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-025-09887-7 -- Editorial of the Special Issue: Tipping Elements in the Earth's Climate System
Friedlingstein, P. et al. (2024). Earth system responses to different levels of greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. Front. Clim., Sec. Predictions and Projections, Volume 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2024.1480208
Sherwood, S. C., et al. (2024). Uncertain pathways to a future safe climate. Earth's Future, 12. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF004297
Sillmann, J., et al. (2024). Climate extremes and risks: links between climate science and decision-making. Front. Clim., Sec. Climate and Decision Making. Volume 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2024.1499765
Stocker, T.F. et al. (2024). Reflecting on the Science of Climate Tipping Points to Inform and Assist Policy Making and Address the Risks they Pose to Society. Surv Geophys. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-024-09844-w -- Part of the Special Issue: Tipping Elements in the Earth's Climate System
Recent WCRP Reports:
Montoya, C., Rodrigues, R., Shepherd, T., van der Wel, N. 2024. WCRP (World Climate Research Programme) My Climate Risk Fifth General Assembly Report,10-11/2024, online format. Publication No: 07/2024.
Montoya, C., Rodrigues, R., Shepherd, T., van der Wel, N. 2025. WCRP (World Climate Research Programme) My Climate Risk Sixth General Assembly Report, April 2025, online format. Publication No: 04/2025.
Sehrawat, S., Rodrigues, R., Shepherd, T., van der Wel, N. 2024. WCRP (World Climate Research Programme) My Climate Risk Fourth General Assembly, August 2024, online format. Publication No 3/2024.
Sherwood, S., Thompson, T., Amiot, M., Gruenwald, P., Hegerl, G., Kaveri, M., Lontzek, T., Robinson, M., Schmedders, K., and van der Wel, N., 2024. Coupled Physical, Economic, and Financial Impact Modelling Workshop Report. 20-22 November 2024. WMO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. Publication No. 12/2024.
WCRP Academy, 2024. Science Planning Sessions Highlights. October 2024. Manila and Bohol, Philippines. WCRP Publication No: 10/2024.