Introduction
In 2007 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate concern to policymakers, and draws as well on other
Change published its Fourth Assessment Report (fol- IPCC reports. Its range of policy-relevant questions is
lowing earlier assessment reports in 1990, 1995 and structured around six topic headings:
2001). The report – AR4 for short – consists of four
volumes, published under the title Climate Change 1. Observed changes in climate, and the effects of
2007. One volume was devoted to each of the IPCC’s past changes
three Working Groups: 2. Natural and human causes of climate change and
their relation to observed changes
Working Group I (WG I) assesses the physical sci- 3. Projected future climate change and its impacts
entific aspects of the climate system and climate 4. Options to adapt to climate change and to mitigate
change; it; what responses are possible by 2030
Working Group II (WG II) assesses the vulnerabil- 5. The long-term perspective; how fast and how deep
ity of socio-economic and natural systems to climate greenhouse gas cuts will need to be to limit global
change, negative and positive consequences, and temperature increases to a given level; why climate
options for adapting to it; and concerns are intensifying
Working Group III (WG III) assesses options for miti- 6. Robust findings and key uncertainties.
gating climate change through limiting or preventing
greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing activities The IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body set
that are working to remove them from the atmosphere. up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
and by the United Nations Environment Programme
The fourth volume that completed AR4 is the Syn- (UNEP) in 1988. It was established to provide decision-
thesis Report. It summarizes the findings of the other makers and others interested in climate change with
three volumes and specifically addresses issues of an objective source of information. The IPCC does not
conduct any research. Its role is to assess on a com-
How the IPCC is organized prehensive, objective and transparent basis the lat-
est scientific, technical and socio-economic literature
IPCC Plenary
relevant to the understanding of the risk of human-
Open to WMO and UNEP member countries
induced climate change, its observed and projected
impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.
IPCC Bureau IPCC
Co-chairs and vice-chairs of the working groups
Secretariat IPCC reports should be neutral with respect to policy,
elected by the Plenary for the period of one assessment based at WMO
report (5-6 years). Currently 30 members. Geneva
although they need to deal objectively with policy rele-
vant scientific, technical and socio-economic factors.
Working Working Working Task
They should aim to reflect a range of views, expertise
Group I Group II Group III force
and wide geographical coverage. The IPCC continues
Scientific
Impacts Mitigation on
Basis
Vulnerability National GHG
to be a major source of information for the negotia-
Adaptation Inventories
tions under the UNFCCC (United Nations’ Framework
Technical Support Unit Technical Support Unit Technical Support Unit Technical Support Unit
Convention on Climate Change).
5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60