Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

3 key takeaways

• The IPCC compiles and synthesizes scientific research on climate change to inform global policy and decision-making.
• It produces comprehensive assessment reports, special reports, and methodologies that are used by governments worldwide to understand and address climate change.
• The IPCC operates through the collaboration of thousands of scientists from around the world, ensuring that its reports reflect a wide range of scientific views and expertise.

What is the IPCC?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Its main purpose is to provide scientific assessments on climate change to inform international climate policy and negotiations. The IPCC does not conduct its own research but reviews and synthesizes existing scientific literature.

Importance of the IPCC

• Policy Guidance: The IPCC’s reports are crucial for international climate policy, providing a scientific basis for climate negotiations, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.
• Global Collaboration: The IPCC brings together thousands of scientists and experts from diverse fields and countries, fostering global collaboration on climate research.
• Public Awareness: The IPCC’s work raises public awareness about the science of climate change, its impacts, and the urgency of taking action.

How the IPCC works

The IPCC operates through three Working Groups and a Task Force:

• Working Group I: Assesses the physical science basis of climate change.
• Working Group II: Evaluates the impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability related to climate change.
• Working Group III: Focuses on the mitigation of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI): Develops methodologies for countries to estimate and report their greenhouse gas emissions.

Example of an IPCC report

The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), published in 2014, provided comprehensive evidence of climate change, its impacts, and potential mitigation strategies. Key findings included:

• The unequivocal warming of the climate system.
• The significant human influence on climate change.
• Projections of future climate change and its impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human health.

Reports and publications

The IPCC produces several types of reports:

• Assessment Reports: Comprehensive evaluations of the state of climate science, published every 5-7 years. These include contributions from all three Working Groups.
• Special Reports: Focused assessments on specific topics, such as global warming of 1.5°C or the impacts of climate change on oceans and the cryosphere.
• Methodology Reports: Provide guidelines for countries to prepare their greenhouse gas inventories.

Example of a special report

In 2018, the IPCC published a Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15). It highlighted the benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels compared to 2°C, emphasizing the need for rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban, and industrial systems.

Impact of the IPCC

The IPCC’s work has significantly influenced global climate policy:

• Paris Agreement: The IPCC’s findings were instrumental in shaping the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
• National Policies: Countries use IPCC reports to develop and implement their climate policies and commitments under the UNFCCC.
• Public and Scientific Discourse: The IPCC’s assessments are widely cited in scientific literature and media, contributing to informed public discourse on climate change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) plays a critical role in synthesizing climate science and informing global climate policy. Through its comprehensive assessments and reports, the IPCC provides essential guidance for governments, policymakers, and the public in addressing the challenges of climate change.