UN climate science chief will participate in next week’s key meeting to outline future of organisation, says spokesperson
Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Pic: UN Photos)
By Ed King
The head of the UN’s climate science body will participate in next week’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) meeting in Nairobi, despite facing allegations of harassment at home.
According to reports from Delhi, police are investigating a case of sexual harassment against Rajendra Pachauri, made by a member of staff at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
The 75-year old denies the claim and in an email exchange with the Times of India said his email and other “communication devices” had been hacked.
“Unknown cyber criminals have gone ahead and have unauthorisedly accessed my computer resources and communication devices and further committed various criminal activities,” he added.
No charges have been laid by Indian police.
An IPCC spokesperson told RTCC Pachauri still planned to attend the four-day meeting and “will be taking part in the various discussions taking place there”.
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Pachauri is one of the most high profile climate officials on the planet, having led the IPCC since 2002. He is set to step down later this year.
Delegates at next week’s meeting will discuss the future role of the IPCC and how it can better advise policymakers on the prognosis for climate change, how to adapt to and mitigate its impacts.
Earlier this month Pachauri issued a proposal for the IPCC to deliver annual climate assessments, detailing how close the planet is to dangerous levels of warming.