Commission backs new IPCC chair
The European Commission has confirmed its continued support for the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its newly elected chair.
Dr Hoesung Lee from the Republic of Korea was confirmed as the new head of the IPCC earlier this month and is an expert on climate economics and sustainable development; he also holds a position at Korea University in Seoul. He replaced Rajendra Pachauri, who resigned in February following sexual harassment allegations.
Miguel Arias Cañete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, said: “The election of Dr Lee is a timely reminder that the political negotiations in Paris must be guided by climate science. The Paris Agreement must provide the framework for accelerating the global transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies, and the IPCC’s scientific work helps show us the way.”
The reports provided by the IPCC serve as the scientific basis for global climate action, and the information is seen as crucial for the negotiations for a new global climate agreement due to be concluded at the Paris Climate Summit (COP21) in December.
Adding his thoughts, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, said: “The EU wants the IPCC’s reports to be as robust and widely recognised as possible. We are funding state-of-the-art research that contributes to building up the science base on climate change, and many European scientists and institutions participate in the IPCC’s work. We are proud to be part of this important effort.”
According to the Commission, the EU is supporting the work of the IPCC by funding high quality research that adds to the evidence base for consideration in the next assessment report, due to be published around 2020. In addition, at least 35% of Horizon 2020 funding is directed towards climate-related research.
