IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

The IPCC is the leading international body for assessing climate change, established by the United Nations to synthesize scientific data from around the world. It does not conduct its own original research; rather, it reviews and compiles thousands of peer-reviewed scientific papers. It produces comprehensive Assessment Reports that detail the state of the climate, its impacts, and potential mitigation strategies.

The IPCC typically releases its comprehensive Assessment Reports every six to seven years, having published its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) in the early 2020s. These massive reports are divided into sections created by Working Groups focusing on the physical science basis, impacts, and mitigation. In between these major reports, they also publish special reports on specific climate topics.

The reports are written by thousands of leading scientists and experts who volunteer their time to analyze climate data as part of the IPCC's various working groups. These scientists come from diverse fields across the globe to ensure a comprehensive scientific assessment. Government representatives from member nations then review and approve the final summaries to inform global policy decisions.

Yes, the IPCC's projections are generally considered the gold standard of climate science and have proven highly accurate over the decades in predicting global temperature increases. The panel operates on consensus and relies heavily on established scientific facts, often leaning toward conservative estimates. Their findings form the scientific basis for international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement.