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.
Assessment Reports
climate change
climate change adaptation
climate change mitigation
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report
IPCC Second Assessment Report
IPCC Summary for Policymakers
IPCC Third Assessment Report
UNEP
UNFCCC
climate change
climate change adaptation
climate change mitigation
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report
IPCC Second Assessment Report
IPCC Summary for Policymakers
IPCC Third Assessment Report
UNEP
UNFCCC
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.
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.
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.
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.
Webinar: Turning IPCC Science to Action - Joint Session on Water & Infrastructure
Watch several experts explain how to turn the IPCC's science into action in this session on water and infrastructure conducted by the AAC and WRI.
Webinar: Turning IPCC Science to Action - Joint Session on Health and Locally Led Adaptation
Watch a webinar about adaptation action that can be taken for health and locally led adaptation based on the science in the IPCC WGII report.
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weADAPT® is partly funded by core support to the Stockholm Environment Institute from Sida. weADAPT® has been established since 2007.
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