IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body established by the United Nations. Thousands of climate researchers and 195 governments from around the world contribute to the IPCC.

Since 1988, the IPCC has periodically reviewed the most recent scientific knowledge on climate change and produced government approved assessment reports that are used to inform policy makers. The latest assessment report (AR5) was issued during 2013–2014, and followed the AR4 report from 2007.

We attended the Transformational Climate Science conference in Exeter, May 2014. During this event we spent two days observing leading climate scientists and other academics who were involved in the IPCC process discuss their work.

Find out more

Archive sources

Sample of observation notes from Transformational Climate Science conference (not yet available).

Reflection

We’d like you to take a minute to reflect on what you have read in this section.

Some questions to get you started:

• What are your thoughts on the organisation of the IPCC process?

• How do you think the cultural values at other stations such as Weston Park make a contribution to the strength of the IPCC’s conclusions?

• What are your thoughts on governments being involved in the IPCC reviewing process? Do you think any other non-scientific organisations should be involved in this review process?

• How important do you think it is for people from around the world to work together to understand climate change and plan how best to mitigate and adapt to it?