The 1988 Assembly approved the launching of a scientific programme on the European Palaeoclimate and Man since the last Glaciation.
The programme, within the remit of the ESRC, is authorised to run for 5 to 7 years.
The EPC programme aims to evaluate any anthropogenic influence on the European climate, to understand the atmospheric composition-climate relationship which also is a prerequisite for projections into the future of the effects of man-induced alteration of the atmosphere on the earth's climate and environment, since early neolithic times.
The basic scientific effort necessary for this goal is a multidisciplinary one, so several sciences, including archaeology and history are involved in the research programme.