Assessments of the IPCC
The IPCC stands for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It’s a scientific body established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
What it does:
The IPCC doesn’t conduct original research. Instead, it:
- Reviews and assesses the latest scientific knowledge about climate change.
- Publishes major Assessment Reports roughly every 5–7 years, summarizing the state of climate science.
- Provides policy-relevant (but not policy-prescriptive) insights to help governments make informed decisions.
Why it matters:
The IPCC is the global gold standard for climate science. Its reports are used by:
- Governments for climate policy and international negotiations (like the Paris Agreement).
- Scientists, NGOs, and the public to understand the scale and urgency of climate change.
- IPCC Assessment Reports (ARs)
- There have been six major Assessment Reports so far:
- First Assessment Report (1990)
- Confirmed that climate change is a serious issue.
- Influenced the creation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Second (1995)
- Strengthened the link between human activities and climate change.
- Helped lay the groundwork for the Kyoto Protocol (1997).
- Third (2001)
- Introduced the concept of “very likely” human influence on climate.
- Showed projected temperature and sea level rise with more confidence.
- Fourth (2007)
- Famously said: “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”
- Shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.
- Fifth (2014)
- Delivered the famous phrase:
- “Human influence on the climate system is clear.”
- Warned of severe, widespread, and irreversible impacts.
- Influenced the Paris Agreement (2015).
- Sixth (2021–2023)
- The most recent and comprehensive set of reports.
- Key points:
- Global warming has already reached ~1.1°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Human influence is “unequivocal”—no more doubt.
- Climate impacts (heatwaves, floods, wildfires, etc.) are accelerating.
- Every fraction of a degree matters:Limiting warming to 1.5°C significantly reduces risks.
- Calls for rapid, deep, and sustained emissions cuts across all sectors.