Enter the 'Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change'. IPCC.
IPCC’s scientific assessments have been the bedrock for international climate negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and elsewhere. It has time and again provided our latest scientific understanding of climate-science, change and possible action.
Policymakers use IPCC reports to inform their decisions and actions on climate change.
While individuals and communities use it to understand the risks and impacts of climate change in their regions and take informed actions to advocate for stronger climate policies, adapt to changing environmental conditions, and reduce their carbon footprint.
In 2007, the IPCC shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change".
In fact, the IPCC Reports (from its fifth assessment cycle) played an important influence on the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015, that today shapes the course of global climate action.
IPCC is an UN body established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) – that assesses the scientific literature related to climate change. It has 195 member countries. India included.
Its primary mission is to provide scientific information to governments about the state of knowledge on climate change – so that informed policies related to climate change can be developed.
Its reports are considered the authoritative source on climate change, with widespread endorsement from the scientific community. It publishes comprehensive reports on the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
IPCC does not conduct its own research, run models or make measurements of climate or weather phenomena; but instead reviews and synthesizes the latest published scientific literature to produces timely and comprehensive ‘Assessment Reports’ and ‘Special Reports’.
It does this work in three working groups, each focusing on special aspects of climate change:
Working Group I: Focuses on the physical science basis of climate change.
Working Group II: Addresses impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability.
Working Group III: Deals with the mitigation of climate change
Each Working Group comprises of thousands of scientists (organised in a system of Coordinating Lead Authors, Lead Authors, Contributing Authors and Expert Reviewer) from around the world to assess the latest climate science in preparation of the IPCC Reports.
Care is taken to ensure the composition of author teams aims to reflect a range of scientific, technical, and socio-economic views and backgrounds & includes a mix of authors from not only different regions but from developed as well as developing countries to ensure no bias of perspective.
The IPCC releases its major Assessment Reports approximately every 6-7 years.
These reports synthesize the latest scientific findings on climate change, its impacts, and possible mitigation and adaptation strategies.
It has produced 6 Assessment Reports till date, as follows:
- Published in 1990, 1st Assessment Report
- Published in 1995, 2nd Assessment Report
- Published in 2001, 3rd Assessment Report
- Published in 2007, 4th Assessment Report
- Published in 2014, 5th Assessment Report
- Published in 2023, 6th Assessment Report
In addition to its main Assessment Reports, the IPCC also publishes Special Reports on specific topics. Examples include the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, the Special Report on Climate Change and Land, and the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.
In each assessment cycle, IPCC produces 3 Detailed Reports authored by experts from the three (3) respective Working Groups.
These are:
- Working Group I Report: The Physical Science Basis.
- Working Group II Report: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.
- Working Group III Report: Mitigation of Climate Change.
Each Report includes a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, covering the latest research findings, methodologies, and data. In addition, the IPCC also produces a Synthesis Report that integrates the findings across the Working Group I, II and III Reports.
All Report (including the Synthesis Report) is complimented with a ‘Summary for Policymakers (SPM) and ‘Technical Summary'.
The SPM which is written in a clear and straightforward manner aims to highlights the most significant conclusions and policy-relevant insights to policymakers and the public.
The IPCC follows a rigorous peer-review process involving multiple rounds of review by experts and governments.
This process ensures the reports are based on the best available science and are free from bias.
It is often described as the biggest peer review process in the scientific community.
The IPCC maintains its objectivity in its assessments. It only aims to identify <<>> there is agreement in the scientific community, <<>> there are differences of opinion, and <<>> further research is needed. It does not promote a particular view, which it leaves on the policymakers.
The IPCC is currently in its Seventh Assessment cycle, which began in 2024 and is expected to conclude around 2029. This cycle will include the following key outputs:
- Working Group I Report on the Physical Science Basis
- Working Group II Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
- Working Group III Report on Mitigation of Climate Change
- A Synthesis Report
- Special Reports on Climate Change and Cities, and Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies
The Seventh Cycle's reports will be timed to provide timely input to the 2028 Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement.
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