About IPCC
HOW THE IPCC IS ORGANIZED
As an intergovernmental body the IPCC is open to all member countries of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its activities are guided by the mandate given to it by its parent organisations WMO and UNEP and governed by principles agreed by the Panel. The workprogramme of the IPCC is decided by the Panel in plenary Sessions.
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The Panel and its Sessions
The Panel meets approximately once a year at the plenary level of Government representatives. These Sessions are attended by hundreds of officials and experts from relevant ministries, agencies and research institutions from member countries and from participating organizations. Major decisions such as the election of the IPCC Chair, IPCC Bureau and the Task Force Bureau, the structure and mandate of IPCC Working Groups and Task Forces, as well as on procedural matters, work-plan and budget are taken by the Panel in plenary Session. The Panel decides also on scope and outline of IPCC reports and accepts the reports. The IPCC Secretariat, which is located at WMO headquarters, plans, oversees and manages all IPCC activities.
The IPCC Working Groups and Task Forces
The IPCC has currently 3 Working Groups and the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The Working Groups and the Task Force have clearly defined mandates as agreed by the Panel and their activities are guided by two Co-chairs each. They are assisted by a Technical Support Unit and the Working Group or Task Force Bureau. Working Group 1 deals with "The Physical Science Basis of Climate Change", Working Group 2 with "Climate Change Impact, Adaptation and Vulnerability" and Working Group 3 with "Mitigation of Climate Change". The main objective of the Task Force is to develop and refine a methodology for the calculation and reporting of national GHG emissions and removals. In addition to the Working Groups and Task Force, further Task Groups and Steering Groups may be established for a limited or longer duration to consider a specific topic or question.
IPCC Trust Fund
IPCC activities, in particular the participation of developing country experts in the IPCC work, and publication and translation of IPCC reports are supported by the IPCC Trust Fund to which Governments, provide voluntary contributions. Governments provide further substantial support for activities of the IPCC, in particular through hosting Technical Support Units, supporting the participation of experts in IPCC activities, organising meetings and contributing to translations. WMO, UNEP and the UNFCCC provide also financial support. WMO hosts the IPCC Secretariat and WMO and UNEP provide one staff member each for the IPCC Secretariat.
More about IPCC:
link to the IPCC Homepage