A scientific research programme built around a family of core projects whose mission is to deliver scientific knowledge to help human societies develop in harmony with Earth's environment. The core projects are:

BAHC (Biospheric Aspects of the Hydrological Cycle);

GAIM (Global Analysis, Integration and Modeling);

GCTE (Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems);

GLOBEC (Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics);

IGAC (International Global Atmospheric Chemistry);

IGBP–DIS (Data and Information Services);

JGOFS (Joint Global Ocean Flux Study);

LOICZ (Land–Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone);

LUCC (Land–Use and Land–Cover Change);

PAGES (Past Global Changes);

START (System for Analysis, Research and Training);