Climate experts have been forced to admit another embarrassing error in their most recent report on the threat of climate change.

In a background note – released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last night – the UN group said its 2007 report wrongly stated that 55% of the Netherlands lies below sea level. In fact, only 26% of the country does. The figure used by the IPCC included all areas in the country that are prone to flooding, including land along rivers above sea level. This accounts for 29% of the Dutch countryside.

"The sea-level statistic was used for background information only, and the updated information remains consistent with the overall conclusions," the IPCC note states. Nevertheless, the admission is likely to intensify claims by sceptics that the IPCC work is riddled with sloppiness.

Mistakes happen of course, but what they're suggesting really should be checked before being published

A lot of chinks showing up in this whole “iron clad” climate change argument. I wonder what else has been bodged.

If we are to trust the scientists in their assessment, then their work has to be accurate, repeatable, accountable and open to scrutiny. Clearly it isn’t.

A lot of chinks showing up in this whole “iron clad” climate change argument. I wonder what else has been bodged.

If we are to trust the scientists in their assessment, then their work has to be accurate, repeatable, accountable and open to scrutiny. Clearly it isn’t.