The overall objective of IPY-CARE (International Polar Year - Climate of the Arctic and its Role for Europe) is to create, co-ordinate and prepare a Pan-European science and implementation plan for Arctic climate change and ecosystems research programme as contribution to the International Polar Year.

IPY-CARE is an endorsed project by the IPY Joint Committee with more than 69 partners from many different countries. The project is coordinated by Prof. Ola M. Johannessen at Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC) and with Prof. Jörn Thiede, Alfred-Wegner Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), as chairman of the Steering Committee. IPY-CARE is presently supported by the European Commission through a Specific Support Action.