Contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Overview

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) brings together many of the world's leading scientists to conduct comprehensive assessments of the current state of knowledge on climate change and its potential consequences. The IPCC publishes its assessments in reports that are extensively reviewed by both the scientific community and governments from around the world.  

Canada is an active participant in the IPCC. Many Canadian experts from government, universities, the private sector and other organizations make significant contributions to the preparation of IPCC assessment reports. Canada also has members on the IPCC Bureau, the Task Force Bureau on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and the Task Group on Data and Scenario Support for Impact and Climate Analysis.

Environment and Climate Change Canada, as the hub for climate change science and research in Canada, is a prominent contributor to the IPCC. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s scientists have served lead roles in each of the IPCC’s comprehensive assessment reports. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s climate change science and research activities also contribute to the international body of data and knowledge that is assessed by the IPCC in its reports. For example, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Climate Research Division develops computer models of the climate system that are used to project future climate in Canada and globally. The analysis of historical climate and future scenarios was a significant Canadian contribution to globally-coordinated science for the IPCC’s most recent Assessment Report (Fifth Assessment Report). Scientists from other federal departments and agencies are also active contributors to assessments of the IPCC.

Canada’s participation in the IPCC is coordinated by the IPCC Focal Point for Canada, based at Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Focal Point serves as the central point of contact in Canada to link the IPCC with the Canadian scientific community and the Government of Canada.  Main responsibilities of IPCC Focal Points include submitting expert nominations for IPCC activities, enabling the work of participants in the IPCC process, and coordinating integrated government comments on IPCC reports. If you are interested in being notified of calls for nominations for IPCC activities, please contact ec.giec-ipcc.ec@canada.ca.

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