Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an international body of climate scientists who study the scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the risks of human-caused climate change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the world's leading authority on assessing scientific, technical, and socio-economic information related to climate change. It was established in 1988 by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization to provide policymakers with objective assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, as well as possible adaptation and mitigation options. With 195 member countries, the IPCC operates as a neutral body that does not conduct its own research but rather summarizes existing scientific literature in comprehensive reports.
The IPCC is structured into three main working groups: Working Group I deals with the physical science basis of climate change, Working Group II examines impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability of social, economic, and natural systems, while Working Group III focuses on strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Supplementary task forces address specific methodological issues such as greenhouse gas inventories.
The core activity of the IPCC is the production of assessment reports, which are published approximately every six to seven years. The recently completed Sixth Assessment Cycle (AR6), which lasted from October 2015 to July 2023, included significant documents based on thousands of peer-reviewed studies. The AR6 reports reaffirm the urgent need for rapid emission reductions to avoid catastrophic impacts of climate change while simultaneously strengthening the resilience of affected communities.
The IPCC assessments play a crucial role in international negotiations, such as within the framework of the Paris Agreement, and are characterized by high scientific integrity due to transparent, multi-stage drafting and review processes. Their influence extends beyond science, providing governments and policymakers with essential information for combating climate change.
