The Max Planck Institute for Meteorology is pleased to announce the 4th International Conference on Earth System Modelling (4ICESM). The 4ICESM will advance discourse around four themes related to the World Climate Research Programme’s Grand Science Challenges. Invited cross-cutting presentations on the history, philosophy and sociology of Earth system science and a conference keynote lecture will complement presentations and posters on each of the themes, as outlined below: https://www.mpimet.mpg.de/en/science/4icesm/