IPCC & Reports
IPCC Process & Reports
Summary
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an international organization that provides countries and policymakers with comprehensive reports on the science behind climate change. These reports focus on the impacts of climate change and potential adaptation and mitigation strategies. The IPCC’s emphasis on scientific consensus and its rigorous and transparent assessment ensure that its findings are credible and up to date. This credibility makes these reports invaluable resources for sustainable finance practitioners seeking to navigate the complex landscape of climate-related risks and opportunities.
The IPCC’s assessments provide essential guidance for investors, financial institutions, and policymakers in assessing climate-related risks and opportunities in their investment portfolios and decision-making processes. Its reports are widely recognized as authoritative sources of information on climate change, contributing to the global dialogue on climate action.
History
The IPCC was established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in response to growing concerns about climate change. Its inaugural task was to assess the state of knowledge on climate change science, its social and economic impacts, and potential response strategies for inclusion in a future international convention.
Since its inception, the IPCC has delivered six comprehensive assessment reports, which have helped shape global climate policy and foster international cooperation. These reports have played pivotal roles in the formation of key climate agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris agreement.
Structure
The core of the IPCC is the panel which is made up of representatives from its 95 member governments, each with designated national focal points.
The panel convenes in plenary sessions to make decisions on the organization’s budget, work program, and report scope.
The IPCC Bureau, elected by the panel, guides scientific and technical aspects of IPCC work.
Working groups, task forces, and technical support units support the preparation of IPCC reports, with authors and reviewers drawn from a diverse pool of experts worldwide.
Observer organizations contribute expertise and participate in IPCC sessions, ensuring broad engagement and representation.
Overall, the IPCC’s structured framework ensures the production of comprehensive, scientifically robust, assessment reports that inform global climate policy and action.
Assessment Reports
The IPCC reports are the culmination of a rigorous process to uphold the highest standards of quality and balance. The assessment reports, typically produced in several volumes, are complemented by special reports on specific climate-oriented topics and methodology reports providing guidelines for greenhouse gas inventories.
Process of Creating Reports:
Scoping Meeting: The process begins with a scoping meeting where experts outline the report’s scope, objectives, and work plan. This meeting determines the focus areas and key questions that the report will address.
Author Selection: Expert authors are selected from nominations made by member governments, observer organizations, and the IPCC Bureau. The selection aims to ensure a diverse representation of scientific, technical, and socio-economic expertise, as well as geographic and gender diversity.
Drafting First Order Draft: Once the author teams are assembled, they begin drafting the first order draft of the report. This draft is based on a thorough assessment of peer-reviewed literature, with a focus on scientific accuracy and objectivity.
Expert Review: The first order draft undergoes a comprehensive expert review, where experts from around the world provide feedback on the accuracy, completeness, and balance of the content. Reviewers self-nominate based on their relevant expertise.
Drafting Second Order Draft and Summary for Policymakers (SPM): Authors incorporate the feedback from the expert review into the second order draft of the report. They also prepare a draft of the Summary for Policymakers (SPM), which distills the key findings of the report into an accessible format for policymakers.
Government and Expert Review: The second order draft and the SPM undergo a second round of review by both selected governments and experts. Review comments are carefully considered, and revisions are made to address any concerns raised.
Finalization and Approval, Adoption, or Acceptance: After incorporating the feedback from the second review, the authors finalize the report and the SPM. The report is then formally endorsed by the responsible working group or task force and the IPCC Panel through a process of approval, adoption, or acceptance. “Approval” indicates detailed line-by-line discussion and agreement for the SPM. “Adoption” describes section-by-section endorsement for the synthesis report and overview chapters of methodology reports. “Acceptance” signifies a comprehensive, objective, and balanced assessment of the subject matter without detailed line-by-line agreement.
Publication and Dissemination: Once approved, the report is published and made available to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public. The findings are disseminated through various channels to inform decision-making and public discourse on climate change.
The Sixth Assessment Report
The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) by the IPCC is the latest comprehensive assessment of the state of knowledge on climate change. It consists of contributions from three working groups, each focusing on different aspects of climate change, as well as a Synthesis Report that integrates the findings of these contributions.
Working Group I (WGI): This group focuses on the physical science basis of climate change, including observations of past and present climate change, drivers of climate change, and projections for the future. The WGI contribution to AR6 was finalized in August 2021.
Working Group II (WGII): WGII assesses the impacts of climate change on natural and human systems, as well as options for adaptation to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience. The WGII contribution to AR6 was finalized in February 2022.
Working Group III (WGIII): WGIII examines options for mitigating climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sinks. The WGIII contribution to AR6 was finalized in April 2022.
Synthesis Report: The Synthesis Report integrates and synthesizes the key findings from the three working group contributions, providing a comprehensive overview of the state of knowledge on climate change. The Synthesis Report for AR6 was finalized in March 2023.
Resources for Accelerated Learning
Video: Summarizing the 6th IPCC Report in 5 Minutes
Video: Secretary General of the UN’s Address on 6th IPCC Report
Video: Key Highlights of the 6th IPCC Report
Blog: World Bank Analysis on Implications of the 6th IPCC Report
Data Sources for Further Analysis
Are you intrigued by the prospect of conducting data analysis on IPCC reports? Explore these essential data sources:
IPCC Data Distribution Centre (DDC): The DDC is the primary repository for climate, socio-economic, and environmental data used in IPCC assessments. It provides access to a wide range of datasets, including observed climate data, climate model outputs, and socio-economic indicators.
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS): GCOS is a network of international organizations that coordinate global observations of the earth’s climate system. GCOS provides access to observational data from satellites, ground-based stations, and other monitoring platforms.
NASA Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS): EOSDIS provides access to a wealth of earth science data collected by NASA satellites and instruments. This includes data on land cover, vegetation indices, sea/surface temperatures, and atmospheric composition.