The IPCC does not conduct its own research - it gives an objective assessment of all the latest literature (scientific, technical and socio-economic) on human-induced climate changes, including:
- Risk of occurrence
- Impacts (present and future)
- Options for adaptation and mitigation
IPCC reports are policy-neutral and reflect a range of views, expertise and wide geographical coverage.
Latest report
The 4th IPCC Assessment Report (2007) highlighted the following:
- Warming is real
Climate warming is now unequivocal, as can be seen from observations of:
- Global average air and ocean temperatures increasing
- Widespread melting of snow and ice
- Global average sea level rising
- Human impact
Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is probably due to greenhouse gases emitted due to human activities. Between 1970 and 2004, global greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities increased by 70%. - Emissions will continue to rise
Current climate change mitigation policies and related sustainable development practices will not be enough to stop global greenhouse gas emissons rising over the next few decades. - More action is required
Impacts can be reduced but require a major step change in mitigation efforts and investments over the next few decades to stabilise greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. This can be achieved through deploying existing technologies and those due to be commercialised in the coming decades provided appropriate incentives are in place. We will remain to need more extensive adaptation to reduce our vulnerability to climate change. The barriers, limits and costs to achieving this need to better understood.
The 5th IPCC Assessment Report is due in 2014.
Background
The IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In addition to studies on individual aspects of climate change and mitigation (such as measurement, water, biodiversity) it periodically produces very substantial 'assement reports':
- 1st IPCC Assessment Report (1990)
Decisive in leading to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). - 2nd IPCC Assessment Report (1995)
Key input during the Kyoto Protocol negotiations in 1997. - 3rd IPCC Assessment Report (2001)
(as well as Special and Methodology Reports) Relevant to the development of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. - 4th IPCC Assessment Report (2007)
Main findings described above. - 5th IPCC Assessment
Due in 2014.
Vist the UNFCCC website for updated news.