— Ch. 1 · Origins And Establishment —
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
The World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 1988. This new body replaced an earlier advisory group called the Advisory Group on Greenhouse Gases that had operated since 1986. The Reagan Administration worried that independent scientists would have too much influence over climate policy discussions. They sought to establish a formal intergovernmental structure instead of relying solely on scientific experts. The United Nations endorsed the creation of this panel later in 1988 through a General Assembly resolution. That resolution noted human activity could change the climate with severe economic consequences for humanity. A secretariat was established in Geneva, Switzerland, hosted by the World Meteorological Organization. One hundred ninety-five member states now govern the organization through elected representatives.
Organizational Structure And Process
A Bureau of thirty-four members from different geographic regions provides leadership for three Working Groups and one Task Force. Jim Skea serves as Chair since July 2023, following Korean economist Hoesung Lee who held the position from 2015. Each Working Group has two Co-Chairs representing both developed and developing countries. Working Group I assesses scientific aspects of the climate system while Working Group II examines impacts on human and natural systems. Working Group III focuses on how to stop climate change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The Panel meets twice yearly to control procedures and approve reports. About five hundred people from one hundred thirty countries attended the forty-eighth session in Incheon, Republic of Korea during October 2018. Government representatives review every Summary for Policymakers line by line before final approval. Scientists who serve as authors receive no compensation for their work and depend on salaries from home institutions.