The World Climate Research Programme is the lead agency for a number of projects in the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). WCRP co-sponsors the SOLAS project with the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), the Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (CACGP) and the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR). WCRP works closely with the ICSU/WMO/IOC/UNEP Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) to co-sponsor, with GCOS and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Ocean Observation Panel for Climate (OOPC) overseeing the implementation of an ocean observation system and, with GCOS only, co-sponsors the Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC). WCRP also organizes and sponsors meetings to consider scientific or planning issues and their participants. It also welcomes invitations to co-sponsor events and awards.

In capacity building, WCRP collaborates with the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) and the International Human Dimensions Programme (IHDP) in the SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training (START) programme which engages scientists in developing nations and regions (e.g. the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis). Important partners for education and outreach are the WMO departments of the World Climate Programme (WCP) and Education and Training and the Regional Offices of ICSU.