German Advisory Council on Global Change

The German federal government set up the WBGU as an independent, scientific advisory body in 1992 in the run-up to the Rio Earth Summit. The council's principal tasks are to analyse global environment and development issues and provide early warning of new problems, identify new research areas, and come up with recommendations for action, as well as rising awareness in the public about global change issues.

The WBGU publishes flagship reports every two years, making its own choice of focal theme. In addition, the German government can commission the council to prepare special reports and policy papers.