Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for assessing scientific knowledge on climate change. Established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it provides policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its impacts, and potential adaptation and mitigation strategies. The IPCC does not conduct original research but synthesises peer-reviewed scientific studies, offering authoritative reports that form the basis of global climate negotiations and policymaking.

Background and Formation

The growing evidence of human-induced global warming in the 1980s prompted the creation of a formal scientific body to guide international responses. In 1988, the UN General Assembly endorsed the establishment of the IPCC.

• Mandate: To provide comprehensive assessments of the latest scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to understanding climate change.
• Membership: Open to all member countries of the United Nations and WMO. Currently, it includes 195 member states.
• Nobel Peace Prize: In 2007, the IPCC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with former US Vice President Al Gore, for efforts to build knowledge and awareness of climate change.

Structure and Organisation

The IPCC operates through a structured system:

• Plenary Sessions: The supreme decision-making body where member governments participate.
• Bureau: Provides scientific and technical guidance.
• Three Working Groups (WGs):
  • WG I: Examines the physical science basis of climate change.
  • WG II: Assesses impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability.
  • WG III: Focuses on mitigation of climate change.
• Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI): Develops methodologies for measuring emissions.
• Technical Support Units (TSUs): Assist in preparing reports.

Reports and Assessments

The IPCC publishes several types of documents:

1. Assessment Reports (ARs): Comprehensive evaluations released roughly every six to seven years.
   • First Assessment Report (1990): Influenced the creation of the UNFCCC.
   • Second Assessment Report (1995): Provided evidence of human influence on climate.
   • Third Assessment Report (2001): Highlighted stronger linkages between human activity and global warming.
   • Fourth Assessment Report (2007): Declared warming as “unequivocal,” strengthening calls for global action.
   • Fifth Assessment Report (2014): Supported negotiations for the Paris Agreement (2015).
   • Sixth Assessment Report (2021–2022): Warned that climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, with a narrowing window for limiting warming to 1.5 °C.
2. Special Reports: Focused studies on key topics such as:
   • Global Warming of 1.5 °C (2018).
   • Climate Change and Land (2019).
   • The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (2019).
3. Methodology Reports: Provide guidelines for greenhouse gas inventories used by countries.

Role in Global Climate Policy

The IPCC plays a pivotal role in international climate governance:

• Scientific Basis: Provides the foundation for negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and subsequent agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
• Policy-Relevance: Offers options for mitigation and adaptation without prescribing specific policies.
• Influence: Shapes global debates on emission reductions, climate finance, and equity in responsibility.

Criticism and Challenges

Despite its importance, the IPCC has faced challenges:

• Consensus-Based Approach: While ensuring legitimacy, it sometimes results in cautious language and underemphasis on risks.
• Time Lag: Reports take years to prepare, which may delay responses to emerging scientific evidence.
• Political Pressure: Governments influence the “Summary for Policymakers,” occasionally softening conclusions.
• Complex Communication: Dense scientific language can hinder public understanding.

Significance

The IPCC remains the most authoritative voice on climate science. Its assessments inform global policies, national strategies, and local adaptation initiatives. By consolidating the work of thousands of scientists worldwide, it embodies an unprecedented international effort to tackle one of humanity’s greatest challenges.
In an era of accelerating climate change, the IPCC continues to play a crucial role in guiding collective action, bridging science and policy, and reminding the global community of the urgent need to safeguard the planet for current and future generations.