IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 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 is a scientific body under the auspices of the United Nations (UN). It reviews and assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change. It does not conduct any research nor does it monitor climate related data or parameters. 
 
Thousands of scientists from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC on a voluntary basis. Review is an essential part of the IPCC process, to ensure an objective and complete assessment of current information. IPCC aims to reflect a range of views and expertise. The Secretariat coordinates all the IPCC work and liaises with Governments. It is supported by WMO and UNEP and hosted at WMO headquarters in Geneva. 
 
The IPCC is an intergovernmental body. It is open to all member countries of the United Nations (UN) and WMO. Currently 195 countries are members of the IPCC. Governments participate in the review process and the plenary Sessions, where main decisions about the IPCC work programme are taken and reports are accepted, adopted and approved. The IPCC Bureau Members, including the Chair, are also elected during the plenary Sessions. 
 
Because of its scientific and intergovernmental nature, the IPCC embodies a unique opportunity to provide rigorous and balanced scientific information to decision makers. By endorsing the IPCC reports, governments acknowledge the authority of their scientific content. The work of the organization is therefore policy-relevant and yet policy-neutral, never policy-prescriptive.

Mountain with a snowy peak and a pink cloud sky

IPCC WGII Sixth Assessment Report Cross-Chapter Paper 5: Mountains

Explore the new evidence on observed and projected climate change impacts in mountain regions, their associated key risks and adaptation measures in this IPCC cross-chapter paper on mountains.

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the globe in light red next to our possible climate futures

IPCC WG1 Interactive Atlas

Explore observed and projected climate change information in this novel tool developed by the UN IPCC. Use the regional information component to generate global climate maps, and the regional synthesis tab to get qualitative information about changes in climatic impact-drivers.

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Photograph of feet with two arrows on the ground

IPCC FAQs - Decision Making Options for Managing Risk

How do we know whether adaptation is successful? Which guidelines, instruments and resources are available for decision-makers to recognize climate risks and decide on the best course of action? Learn about these and other frequently asked questions from Chapter 17 of the 6th Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Working Group 2: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.

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Photograph of skyline in Burnaby, Canada

IPCC FAQs - Climate Resilient Development Pathways

What is a climate resilient development pathway? How can different actors across society and levels of government be empowered to pursue climate resilient development? Learn about these and other frequently asked questions from Chapter 18 of the IPCC's AR6 Working Group II report: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.

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Photograph of busy street in Kolkata, India

IPCC FAQs - Cities, Settlements & Key Infrastructure

Why and how are cities, settlements, and different types of infrastructure especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change? Learn about this and other frequently asked questions from Chapter 6 of the IPCC's AR6 Working Group II report: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.

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a coastal village in Fiji

Webinar: Overview of IPCC WGII findings and a Call to Action

In this webinar from the AAC and WRI, learn more about the IPCC WGII Sixth Assessment Report and a related call to action. This is followed up with two technical sessions on Water & Infrastructure and Health & Locally Led Action.

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