The IPSL brings together a hundred scientists specializing in polar climates, covering diverse aspects such as modeling, field observation and remote sensing. This diversity is reflected in the participation of its members in several working groups, such as ComposAir, Paleoclimate, Water Cycle, Climate Variability, and Regional Modeling.

The polar regions are highly vulnerable to climate change. The study of climate change in polar regions is at the heart of the research conducted at IPSL.

Its main research themes include:

• improving understanding and modeling of clouds, aerosols and precipitation in these regions,
• developing a model of the Earth system incorporating interactive ice caps, and advanced snow physics, the interaction between the ocean and the cryosphere, including the study of sea ice, the carbon cycle in the Arctic region, with a particular focus on permafrost thawing,
• and the quantification of polar air pollution and poleward aerosol transport, often associated with forest fires and volcanism.
• Finally, the Polar WG seeks to create synergies with research into extremely cold planetary environments, offering an enriching comparative perspective between different regions of the solar system.