TOPICS
Climate Change
Environment
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
English
Rajendra Pachauri
Dr Rajendra Pachauri is Chairman of the IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In 2007 the IPCC was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice-President Al Gore.
Dr Pachauri was elected Chairman of IPCC , which was established by the World Meteorological Organisation and United Nations Environment Programme in 1988. He took charge as Chairman of the IPCC in April 2002.
He has been active in several international forums dealing with the subject of climate change and its policy dimensions. Dr Pachauri has also been head of TERI (Tata Energy Research Institute) in 1981, first as Director and, since April 2001, as Director-General. TERI does original work and provides professional support in the areas of energy, environment, forestry, biotechnology, and the conservation of natural resources to government departments, institutions, and corporate organizations worldwide.
To acknowledge his immense contribution to the field of environment, in 2001 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan -- one of India's highest civilian awards that recognises distinguished service of a high order to the nation in any field.
Dr Pachauri has been a Visiting Professor, Resource Economics at the College of Mineral and Energy Resources, West Virginia University (August 1981 -- August 1982); Senior Visiting Fellow, Resource Systems Institute, East -- West Center, USA (May -- June 1982); and Visiting Research Fellow, The World Bank, Washington, DC (June -- September 1990). Recognising his vast knowledge and experience in the energy -- environment field, the United Nations Development Programme appointed him as a part time Adviser in the fields of Energy and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, 1994 -- 1999.
In January 1999, Dr Pachauri was appointed as Director, Board of Directors of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (a Fortune 500 company) for a period of 3 years and in April 1999, he was appointed as the Member, Board of Directors of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Environment Agency, Government of Japan, for a period of 3 years.
In July 2001, Dr Pachauri was appointed Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India.