The IPCC:The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep). The panel is open to all members of the UN and WMO.
The role of the IPCC is to assess, on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis, the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific foundation of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.
The IPCC does not carry out research nor does it monitor climate related data or other relevant parameters. It bases its assessment mainly on peer reviewed and published scientific/technical literature. Its role, organisation, participation and general procedures are laid down in the Principles Governing IPCC Work.
A full explanation about the panel, the membership of its three working groups and task force on national greenhouse gas inventories may be read at www.ipcc.ch/about/about.htm
Ireland is represented in the working of the IPCC by Dr John Sweeney, a senior lecturer in climatology in the department of Geogrophy at NUI Maynooth. Dr Sweeney is a review editor for Group Two, which assesses the scientific, technical, environmental, economic and social aspects of the vulnerability to climate change of ecological systems, socio-economic sectors and human health.