Intergovernmental panel on climate change Role and Activities

Inter-governmental panel on climate change Role and Activities

IPCC • The IPCC provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. • Created in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization(WMO) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), is to provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies. • IPCC reports are also a key input into international climate change negotiations.

IPCC • The IPCC is an organization of governments that are members of the United Nations or WMO. • The IPCC currently has 195 members. • IPCC scientists volunteer their time to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year. • to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.

The Role of IPCC • “to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. ”

Role • “IPCC reports should be neutral with respect to policy, although they may need to deal objectively with scientific , technical and socioeconomic factors relevant to the application of particular policies. ” • IPCC does not undertake new research nor does it monitor climate related data, instead it conducts assessment of knowledge on the basis of published and peer reviewed scientific and technical literature.

IPCC working groups and taskforce • Working group I addresses the physical basis of climate change. • Working group II addresses climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. • Working group III addresses options for limiting green house gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

IPCC Reports • Five assessment reports(1990, 1995, 2001, 2007, 2013 -2014) • 1992 supplementary report , 1994 special report • Nine special reports(1997, 1999, 2000. 2005, 2011, 2012) • Guidelines for CGH inventories, good practice guidence(1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2013) • Six technical papers (1996 -2008)

Achievement of IPCC reports • FAR(1990) led to UNFCCC • SAR (1995) input for kyoto Protocol • TAR (2001) focus attention on impacts of climate change and need for adaptation • AR 4 (2007) input for decision of 2 degree Celsius limit. IPCC and Albert Amold (AI) Gore Jr. were awarded the Nobel peace prize. • AR 5(2013/2014) input for Paris agreement