During the 20th Century many members of the scientific community highlighted the issue of climate change. In response to these concerns the United Nations and the World Meteorological Office, in 1988, established a new body called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The aim of the IPCC is be an objective source of information about the causes of climate change, its potential environmental and socio-economic consequences and the adaptation and mitigation options to respond to it.
The IPCC does not do its own research. The information provided by the IPCC is based on material that is published in peer reviewed scientific literature. Its reports are based on scientific analysis and reflect the viewpoints existing within the scientific community. The comprehensiveness of the scientific content is achieved through contributions from experts in all regions of the world and all relevant disciplines. Its reports are subject to a two-stage review process by experts and governments.
Because of its intergovernmental nature, the IPCC is able to provide scientific technical and socio-economic information in a policy-relevant but policy neutral way to decision makers. When governments accept the IPCC reports and approve their Summary for Policymakers, they acknowledge the legitimacy of their scientific content. Find out more about the IPCC here
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) requires governments to develop climate research and systematic observations. Such investment in research feeds into the scientific literature and to IPCC reports. Research programmes are developed at national and international levels, for example the EU Framework Programme (FP7).
In Ireland, the EPA has led the development of climate research. This research is designed to address national issues and is informed by dialogue with national and international researchers as well as information provided by international research organisations such as the World Climate Research Programme (WRCP) and the International Geosphere - Biosphere Programme (IGPB). The IPCC also highlights areas where further research is needed.
Since its begining, the IPCC has produced four major assessment reports. The most recent of these, the fourth Assessment Report (AR4), was produced in 2007. These reports have been instrumental in development of international actions to address climate change, such as the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2002 and its Kyoto Protocol in 1997.