IPCC Summary for Policymakers

The Summary for policymakers (SPM)is a summary of the IPCC reports intended to aid policymakers. The content is determined by the scientists, but the form is approved line by line by governments. Negotiations occur over wording to ensure accuracy, balance, clarity of message, and relevance to understanding and policy.

Process

The IPCC is divided into 3 "Working Groups" (WG) covering a section of the climate change topic:

• Working Group I (WGI): The Physical Science Basis.
• Working Group II (WGII): Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
• Working Group III (WGIII): Mitigation of Climate Change

During about 5 years, each Working Group prepares a full "assessment report" by collating all the available research results.

Before the end of this period, a selection of about 50 scientists within each Working Group produces a first draft "Summary for policymakers"...
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