The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts. The UN General Assembly endorsed the action by WMO and UNEP in jointly establishing the IPCC.

The IPCC is a scientific body. It reviews and assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change. It does not conduct any research nor does it monitor climate related data or parameters.

Thousands of scientists from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC on a voluntary basis. Review is an essential part of the IPCC process, to ensure an objective and complete assessment of current information. IPCC aims to reflect a range of views and expertise. The Secretariat coordinates all the IPCC work and liaises with Governments. It is supported by WMO and UNEP and hosted at WMO headquarters in Geneva.

Greenhouse gas emissions (including CO2) have increased 70% between 1970 and 2004 (IPCC Assessment Report 4) and exponentially since before the industrial revolution. This has led to a marked increase in atmosphereic Greenhouse Gas (GHG) concentrations from 280ppm pre-industrial to 379ppm in 2005 (IPCC AR4). It currently stands at 388ppm (co2now.org) and represents an almost 39% increase in atmospheric CO2.

Government targets in UK (The UK Climate Change Act) suggest an 80% cut in 1990 level of GHG emissions by 2050. This is in effect more than 80% as emissions have been increasing since 1990. Scientists suggest that more is necessary depending on what level of atmospheric CO2 is required to avoid major climate change.