Archived press release
Go to our press releases area for our current press releases.
Statement on IPCC Chairmanship
23 September 2010
Commenting on reports on the BBC's Today Programme that Friends of the Earth has called for the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to stand down, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:
"I have not called for Rajendra Pachauri to resign.
"The recommendations of the Inter-Academy of Sciences report are sensible - the Management Committee needs to consider the credibility of the entire IPCC when deciding limits for the term of the Chairmanship.
"But there's a real danger that if Rajendra Pachuari is perceived to have been forced to stand down, then climate sceptics will call for the scalp of every subsequent Chair and the position will be discredited for good.
"It's up to the Management Committee of the IPCC to decide whether the Chair should stand down - no-one else, regardless of reporting in the media.
"We must not be distracted from the real issue here - how we urgently cut global emissions to avoid catastrophic climate change."
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2010
