The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) can be defined as an international scientific body established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The IPCC's primary purpose is to provide policymakers, governments, and the public with objective, comprehensive, and up-to-date scientific assessments on the state of climate change, its environmental impacts, and potential adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Composed of hundreds of leading scientists from around the world, the IPCC conducts extensive reviews of scientific literature related to climate change. It prepares and publishes comprehensive assessment reports every few years, which are widely recognized as the most authoritative and credible sources of information on global warming. These reports play a crucial role in informing international climate negotiations, policy formulation, and decision-making processes.
The IPCC's assessments cover a wide range of topics, including the physical, economic, and social aspects of climate change, as well as potential adaptation and mitigation strategies. They evaluate the potential risks and impacts of different levels of global warming and provide policymakers with projections and scenarios for the future. Additionally, the IPCC assesses the scientific basis for climate change, examining the causes and trends of global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of human activities.
The IPCC's work is conducted through three Working Groups, each focusing on specific aspects of climate change. Working Group I evaluates the physical science basis of climate change, Working Group II assesses impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability, and Working Group III addresses mitigation of climate change through sustainable practices. The IPCC's reports undergo rigorous review and approval processes involving scientists and governments, to ensure accuracy, objectivity, and transparency.
