The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is
a scientific intergovernmental
body under the auspices of
the United Nations, set
up at the request of member governments.
The IPCC produces reports that support the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is the
main international treaty on climate change. The ultimate objective of the
UNFCCC is to "stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at
a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic [i.e., human-induced]
interference with the climate system". IPCC reports cover "the
scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding
the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its
potential impacts and
options for adaptation and mitigation.”
Thousands of scientists and other experts contribute (on a
voluntary basis, without payment from the IPCC) to writing and reviewing
reports, which are then reviewed by governments. IPCC reports contain a "Summary for
Policymakers", which is subject to line-by-line approval by
delegates from all participating governments. Typically this involves the
governments of more than 120 countries.
The IPCC provides an internationally accepted authority on
climate change, producing reports which have the agreement of leading
climate scientists and the consensus of participating governments.
Following the IPCC conference
entitled 'Transformational Climate Change' at Exeter University UK last
week where Gale & Snowden Architects were the only design-lead professional
organisation represented, David and Jason have both been invited to participate
in the Expert Review of the First Order Draft (FOD) of the Synthesis Report
(SYR) of the IPCC Fifth Assessment report (AR5).
The Synthesis Report integrates key messages
contained within the AR5 Assessment Reports. It is composed of a Summary for
Policymakers (SPM) and a longer report.
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| A selection of slides from the IPCC AR5 Working Group I Report |
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| Gale & Snowden Architects and Engineers have been dedicated to Climate Action, at the forefront of low environmental impact and healthy design, since 1992 |
Gale & Snowden have been working with the TSB to investigate the impacts of climate change on buildings and how to make the built environment resilient and adaptable, through passive strategies, to future climate scenarios. For more information on this and Gale & Snowden's other work, please visit our website.
