IPCC
From WikiClimate
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established to provide decision-makers and others interested in climate change with an objective source of information about climate change.
Aims and Structure
The IPCC does not conduct any research itself nor does it monitor climate related data, but it aims to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic literature produced worldwide relating to climate change. This includes:
- the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change
- the observed and projected impacts of climate change, and
- options for adaptation and mitigation.
IPCC reports are intended to be neutral with respect to policy, and to deal objectively with all relevant factors, reflecting a range of views, expertise and wide geographical coverage.
The IPCC was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as an independent scientific intergovernmental body. Its stakeholders include:
- Governments which are members of WMO or UNEP. Governments of participate in plenary Sessions of the IPCC and can participate the review of IPCC Reports.
- Scientists who contribute to the work of the IPCC as authors, contributors and reviewers.
- Interested People and Organisations.
The IPCC provides formal reports at regular intervals. The findings of the first IPCC Assessment Report of 1990 played a major role in leading to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) finalised at the Rio de Janeiro Summit in 1992 and in force from 1994. It provides the overall policy framework for addressing the climate change issue. The IPCC Second Assessment Report of 1995 provided key input for the negotiations of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and the Third and Fourth Assessment Reports (2001 and 2008) as well as Special and Methodology Reports provide further information relevant for the development of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.
The IPCC is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
