New head of UN climate body vows independence
Date: 09-Aug-02
Country: SWITZERLAND
The Indian scientist was elected in April, ousting American Robert Watson at the helm of the 192-state body which advises governments.
Watson advocated action against global warming and was a strong supporter of the Kyoto Protocol aimed at reducing industrial nations' emissions of greenhouse gases created by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
Environmentalists said the U.S. administration engineered Watson's defeat after announcing it would not back him for another six-year term to lead the 30 scientists. Washington has walked away from the Kyoto pact, calling it flawed and costly.
Pachauri, a longtime member, was asked about the influence of the private sector on the panel, setup in 1988 and due to come up with its fourth assessment of climate change in 2007.
"We listen to everyone but that doesn't mean that we accept what everyone tells us...While we may listen to all elements of society, including the oil and coal industry and so on, we don't necessarily have to subscribe to any set of views that is put forward to us," he told a news briefing held in Geneva.
"Ultimately this has to be an objective, fair and intellectually honest exercise," Pachauri said.
"But we certainly don't prescribe any set of actions. That is for the decision-making community."
Geoff Love, secretary of the IPCC, said: "The panel is seen, I think, as the authority on climate-change issues.
"What we have to do is produce assessment reports that remain credible and relevant," the Australian scientist said.
Love added: "In the fourth assessment, we will be trying to encourage the critical community as well as the community that believes that greenhouse is a major problem."
