What is the IPCC?

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IPCC, i.e. the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is an intergovernmental panel on climate change that was established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The IPCC’s main task is to provide scientific information about climate change, its effects and possible solutions to decision makers around the world.

The tasks and activities of the IPCC

IPCC’s activities focus on the following main tasks:

  • Collection and evaluation of scientific information: The IPCC collects and evaluates scientific research on climate change. It does not conduct research itself, but gathers existing information together.
  • Publication of reports: The IPCC regularly publishes assessment reports that provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and possible adaptation and mitigation measures.
  • Special Reports: The IPCC also publishes special reports that focus on specific topics such as land use, oceans and glaciers.
  • Cooperation and dissemination of information: The IPCC cooperates with the governments of different countries, scientific communities and other stakeholders to disseminate information about climate change and its effects.

IPCC reports

The IPCC assessment reports are extensive and comprehensive publications that consist of several sub-reports. These include:

  1. Working group I: Deals with the scientific basis of climate change, such as the physical and chemical processes of climate change.
  2. Working Group II: Focuses on climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. This working group examines how climate change affects ecosystems, the economy and society.
  3. Working group III: Deals with the mitigation of climate change, i.e. measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing down climate change.

Importance of IPCC

IPCC reports have played a central role in raising awareness of climate change and in the negotiations of international climate agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement. The information produced by the IPCC helps decision makers to understand the seriousness and urgency of climate change and to plan and implement effective climate actions.

Sources

More information about the IPCC and its activities can be found in the following sources:

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