The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assesses the scientific, technical and socioeconomic information relevant for the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change.

The IPCC is an independent body founded under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The IPCC is best known for its comprehensive assessment reports, incorporating summaries for policymakers from a synthesis report and from all three Working Groups, which are widely recognised as the most credible sources of scientific information on climate change.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) has repeatedly expressed its appreciation for the IPCC's work and called on the Convention bodies, in particular the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), to continue its cooperation with the IPCC and to seek its advice. It has also urged Parties to contribute financially to the IPCC's work, as well as to nominate and support experts for the IPCC, especially from developing countries. According to Article 21.2 of the Convention, the secretariat "will cooperate closely with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to ensure that the Panel can respond to the need for objective scientific and technical advice".

The IPCC is currently in its sixth assessment cycle and has published three special reports, a methodology report, and the contribution of Working Group I to the AR6, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis - see related links. The writing and approval process for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), including the contributions of Working Groups II and II and the AR6 Synthesis Report, is underway and expected to be completed in 2022. In October 2014, the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) was finalized.