Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a United Nations body dedicated to the assessment of scientific data related to climate change, its impacts, and potential future risks, as well as formulating adaptive and mitigative strategies. Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the IPCC aims to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments that are fundamental for understanding climate dynamics and developing informed environmental policies.

Comprised of thousands of scientists from around the globe, the IPCC operates through collaborative research and comprehensive reporting. Its work spans several thematic reports and periodic assessments, known as Assessment Reports, that synthesize current knowledge on climate change. These reports play a crucial role in international climate negotiations and influence national policy frameworks.

The IPCC does not conduct original research itself; instead, it reviews and synthesizes existing scientific literature to provide a clear, objective, and comprehensive overview of the current state of climate science. Its findings are critical for shaping global climate action and have earned the panel and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, highlighting its central role in the global effort to combat climate change.