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Climate Consensus

Illuminating the Science, Informing Global Policy: An authoritative overview of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

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About the IPCC

Intergovernmental Body

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific intergovernmental body established by the United Nations.[1] Its primary mandate is to provide governments at all levels with comprehensive scientific information that can inform the development of climate policies.[1]

Collaborative Foundation

Founded in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the IPCC operates with a secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland, hosted by the WMO.[2] It comprises 195 member states, whose representatives govern the panel's activities.[3]

Global Scientific Authority

The IPCC is recognized as a leading authority on climate change, with its findings widely cited by governments, organizations, and the media. Its reports are instrumental in international climate negotiations, such as those under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and have significantly influenced landmark agreements like the Paris Agreement.[6][10]

Origins

Precursor and Need

The IPCC's origins trace back to the Advisory Group on Greenhouse Gases (AGGG), established in 1986 by the International Council of Scientific Unions, UNEP, and WMO. The AGGG recognized the growing complexity and interdisciplinary nature of climate science, which exceeded its limited resources.[18]

Intergovernmental Establishment

In response to calls for international conventions to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and influenced by concerns about independent scientific influence, the WMO and UNEP formally created the IPCC as an intergovernmental body in 1988. This structure allows scientists to participate both as experts and government representatives, ensuring reports are backed by scientific consensus and endorsed by member governments.[19][20]

UN Endorsement

The United Nations General Assembly officially endorsed the IPCC's creation in 1988, acknowledging the potential for human activities to alter the climate and the severe consequences of rising greenhouse gas concentrations and sea levels if timely action was not taken.[2]

Organization

The Panel

The IPCC Panel convenes in plenary sessions, typically twice a year, to oversee the organization's structure, procedures, work program, and budget. It is responsible for accepting and approving IPCC reports, acting as the ultimate corporate entity of the panel.[4] Governments appoint representatives who participate in these plenary sessions and those of the Working Groups. Observer organizations also attend.[31]

Leadership and Bureau

The Panel elects a Chair and a Bureau, comprising the Chair, three Vice-Chairs, and other members representing diverse geographic regions. This Bureau guides the IPCC's three Working Groups and its Task Force, providing leadership and direction on scientific and technical matters.[23][24]

Working Groups

The IPCC's scientific work is carried out by three Working Groups and a Task Force. Each Working Group is co-chaired by representatives from developed and developing countries, supported by a technical support unit. They focus on distinct areas of climate change assessment:[4]

  • Working Group I: Assesses the physical science basis of climate change.
  • Working Group II: Evaluates the impacts of climate change on natural and human systems and assesses adaptation options.
  • Working Group III: Addresses the mitigation of climate change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

Structure Details

Chair

The Chair of the IPCC is elected by the Panel and serves as the primary representative of the organization. The current Chair, Jim Skea, was elected in July 2023, succeeding Hoesung Lee. Previous chairs include Rajendra K. Pachauri and Robert Watson.[29][30]

Task Force

The Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) is responsible for developing methodologies and software for countries to report their greenhouse gas emissions. It is supported by a Bureau and a Technical Support Unit, currently hosted by Japan's Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.[26]

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee comprises the Chair, Vice-Chairs, and Co-Chairs of the Working Groups and Task Force. This committee convenes between Panel sessions to address urgent matters, ensuring continuity and responsiveness in the IPCC's operations.[27]

Funding

Trust Fund Mechanism

The IPCC operates on a dedicated trust fund established by UNEP and WMO in 1989. This fund is sustained by voluntary annual financial contributions from member governments. The WMO manages the secretariat's operating costs and financial regulations, while the Panel determines the annual budget.[32]

Budgetary Overview

In 2021, the IPCC's annual budget was approximately six million euros, financed by its 195 member states. Major contributors included the United States, Japan, France, Germany, and Norway. Other nations provide "in-kind contributions" by hosting IPCC meetings. The budget saw a slight increase to nearly eight million euros in 2022.[33][34]

Assessment Reports

Evolution of Findings

Since 1990, the IPCC has published six comprehensive assessment reports (AR1-AR6) and numerous special reports. Each assessment report synthesizes the latest scientific, technical, and socioeconomic information on climate change, reflecting a growing body of evidence and increasing certainty regarding human influence on the climate system.[51]

Key Assessment Reports

The assessment reports provide foundational knowledge for policymakers. Notable findings include the increasing certainty of human influence on warming (AR2, 1995), the clear evidence of human activity causing most observed warming (AR3, 2001), the unequivocal warming of the climate system (AR4, 2007), and the clear human influence and the availability of means to limit climate change (AR5, 2014). The AR6 (2021-2023) highlighted the urgency and irreversibility of many climate changes.[66][68][70][71][72][12]

Special Reports

The IPCC also produces Special Reports on specific topics. These include landmark publications like the 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15), which underscored the critical difference between 1.5°C and 2°C warming. Other significant reports cover Climate Change and Land (2019) and the Ocean and Cryosphere (2019), providing detailed insights into specific aspects of the climate crisis.[83]

  • Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (2000)
  • Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (2011)
  • Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX) (2012)
  • Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15) (2018)
  • Special Report on Climate Change & Land (2019)
  • Special Report on the Ocean & Cryosphere (2019)

Methodology Reports

The IPCC's National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme develops methodologies for countries to report emissions. Key methodology reports include the 1994 IPCC Guidelines, the Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines, and the 2006 IPCC Guidelines, which have been updated and refined over time to improve accuracy and consistency in national reporting.[90][91]

Activities Beyond Reports

Communications and Outreach

The IPCC actively enhances its communications strategy to disseminate findings effectively. This includes providing early access to reports for media, expanding outreach activities, and integrating communication experts into technical support units. These efforts aim to increase public awareness and engagement with climate science.[44][46]

Gender Policy

The IPCC maintains a "Gender Policy and Implementation Plan" to ensure inclusivity and respect in its work. It strives for balanced participation and equal opportunities for all individuals involved in its processes, promoting a diverse and equitable environment.[43]

Data Archiving

The IPCC archives its reports, electronic files, and review comments on its official website. Additionally, the Environmental Science and Public Policy Archives at Harvard Library maintain a collection of IPCC materials, ensuring long-term accessibility and preservation of its scientific output.[50]

Challenges and Controversies

Scientific Conservatism

Some critics argue that the IPCC's consensus-driven approach leads to conservative estimates, potentially understating the pace and impacts of climate change. This is attributed to the need for agreement among diverse governmental representatives and the inherent lag in incorporating the latest research into assessment cycles.[96][103]

Political and Industry Influence

Concerns have been raised regarding potential political and industry influence on IPCC reports. Historical instances, such as lobbying efforts related to leadership changes or the exclusion of specific text recommendations (e.g., on dietary shifts), highlight the complexities of balancing scientific findings with governmental and economic interests.[110][113]

Scrutiny and Review

The IPCC has faced scrutiny, particularly following controversies like the Climatic Research Unit email leak and the "Himalayan glacier" error. While scientific bodies have largely upheld the IPCC's core findings, these events prompted reviews of its processes, leading to strengthened procedures for error handling, conflict of interest policies, and communication strategies.[114][119]

Endorsements and Awards

Scientific Community Support

IPCC reports are widely recognized as the benchmark for climate science, enjoying broad support within the scientific community. Numerous scientific bodies, including the International Council for Science and various national academies, have issued statements endorsing the IPCC's findings.[130][136]

Nobel Peace Prize

In recognition of its contributions to understanding and addressing climate change, the IPCC was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. The prize acknowledged their efforts to disseminate knowledge about human-induced climate change and lay the groundwork for necessary counter-measures.[138]

Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity

In 2022, the IPCC, alongside the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), received the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. This award recognized their critical role in generating scientific knowledge, raising societal awareness, and informing decision-makers on crucial issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.[139]

See Also

Related Organizations

The IPCC's work is closely linked with other international bodies and initiatives focused on environmental policy and sustainability.

  • Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
  • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
  • Portal:Environment
  • Portal:Renewable energy
  • Portal:Global warming

Key Climate Frameworks

Understanding the IPCC's role requires familiarity with the international frameworks it supports and informs.

  • UNFCCC Official Website (opens in new tab)
  • Paris Agreement (opens in new tab)
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

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References

References

  1.  IPCC 2014, 2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands, Hiraishi, T., Krug, T., Tanabe, K., Srivastava, N., Baasansuren, J., Fukuda, M. and Troxler, T.G. (eds). Published: IPCC, Switzerland.
  2.  IPCC 2014, 2013 Revised Supplementary Methods and Good Practice Guidance Arising from the Kyoto Protocol, Hiraishi, T., Krug, T., Tanabe, K., Srivastava, N., Baasansuren, J., Fukuda, M. and Troxler, T.G. (eds) Published: IPCC, Switzerland.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not policy or scientific advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation with climate scientists, policy experts, or relevant authorities. Always refer to official IPCC documentation and consult qualified professionals for specific needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.