The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) was established in 1980 with two major objectives: to determine the extent to which climate can be predicted, and to determine the extent of human influence on climate. These remain its goals.

Progress in understanding the variability and predictability of individual components of the climate system are making it possible to improve confidence in projections of the climate, one of the original objectives of the WCRP, and to apply research results for the benefit of society (25th Anniversary Brochure). In particular, it is now possible for the WCRP to address the seamless prediction of the climate system from weekly weather to seasonal, interannual, decadal and centennial climate variations and anthropogenic climate change. Advances in understanding and in new technology for observations and computing also make it possible to contribute to the broader questions of Earth system modelling and the use of comprehensive Earth system models for investigating the habitability of our planet, and contributing to the socio-economic welfare and the sustainability of modern societies and their supporting environments.

The WCRP is currently implementing a Strategic Framework (PDF) entitled Coordinated Observation and Prediction of the Earth System. Launched in 2005, this aims to facilitate analysis and prediction of Earth system variability and change for use in an increasing range of practical applications of direct relevance, benefit and value to society. In moving to provide a broader suite of products and services to a larger group of users, the WCRP is re-prioritising its activities to optimise societal benefits. One of the primary WCRP pathways to application and end-user benefits will continue to be the integration of observations and models to generate new understanding, leading to enhanced benefits from climate predictions (WCRP Strategic Framework website).

The 2005-2015 WCRP strategy will help promote the creation of comprehensive, reliable, end-to-end global climate observations and models for the dual purpose of describing the structure and variability of the climate system and of generating a fully consistent description of the state of the coupled climate system for future prediction of climate (WCRP Strategic Brochure / WCRP Strategic Framework 2005-2015 (Chinese version).