Political science

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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an independent scientific and technical body under the sponsorship of UNEP and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) which provides the world with the 'science' of global warming. But with politics getting increasingly separated from science it is important to review what this organisation is working on and what it plans to contribute to the challenges ahead.

Robert Watson, chairperson of IPCC, in his presentation to the joint session of the subsidiary bodies in Bonn, stressed the need "to further improve the coordination and collaboration between the IPCC and the climate change secretariats and subsidiary bodies".

The IPCC is preparing three special reports requested by SBSTA:

Aviation and global atmosphere (to be completed in 1999) This will assess the impact of both subsonic and supersonic aircraft emissions on climate.

Methodological and technological aspects of technology transfer, opportunities for technology cooperation (to be completed in 1999). This will discuss the implications of each of the flexibility mechanisms.

Emissions scenarios of greenhouse gases and aerosol precursors (to be completed in early 2000).

The IPCC is also preparing its Third Assessment Report which will be completed by late 2000 or early 2001. This report will cover the complete range of scientific, technical, economic and social issues associated with climate change. Watson, also doing the part of the cautious bureaucrat stressed that "this report would be policy relevant not policy prescriptive." What remains to be seen is how effective is this institution in bringing science to the forefront of policy.