What is IPCC?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a United Nations body, founded in 1988, which evaluates climate change science. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts. In the same year, the UN General Assembly endorsed the action by WMO and UNEP in jointly establishing the IPCC.

The IPCC evaluates research on climate change and synthesises it into major ‘assessment’ reports every 5–7 years.

IPCC assessments are produced in three volumes. The first examines scientific evidence for climate change and the extent to which human activity is the cause. The second focuses on the impacts of climate change, and how plants, animals and humans can adapt. The third volume focuses on climate mitigation.

The scientists who undertake the IPCC review process assess the peer-reviewed scientific literature, but also consider what is termed ‘grey literature’ – research material that has not been peer reviewed.

The IPCC itself is comprised of representatives from 195 governments who review the contents of reports before publication. The IPCC draft reports undergo significant scrutiny, much higher than for many other documents in the history of science.

Because of its scientific and intergovernmental nature, the IPCC embodies a unique opportunity to provide rigorous and balanced scientific information to decision makers.