London: Under fire over "errors" in its key report on global warming, the Nobel prize-winning UN panel on climate change led by R K Pachauri has sought an independent outside review on how it prepares assessments.
"The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) strives to ensure that its procedures for use of published material in the preparation of its assessment reports are followed in all respects. But we recognise the criticism that has been levelled at us and the need to respond," Pachauri said in a statement.
While embarking on the preparation of the panel's Fifth Assessment Report, Pachauri said it was the intention of the IPCC that an independent committee of distinguished experts evaluate means by which IPCC procedures must be implemented fully and that they should also examine any changes in procedure that may be required.
His statement came days after IPCC conveyed its decision to governments to form an independent committee to review its procedures in the wake of criticism of its 2007 report.
Pachauri, who has also come under fire for his stewardship of the body and alleged conflict of interest, has admitted only one mistake, a discredited prediction that the glaciers of the Himalayas would entirely melt away by 2035, for which the IPCC has already apologised.
Since the error surfaced there have been several calls for investigations into the work of the IPCC and resignation of Pachauri, which he has refused to heed.
In his statement, Pachauri noted that the proposal to set up such an independent committee was conveyed to governments by the IPCC Secretariat in a communication on February 16.
During the just-concluded 11th Session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Bali, Indonesia, the IPCC discussed with governments and the UN to establish an independent review of the IPCC procedures as proposed. The meeting was held from February 24-26.
"The mechanism by which such an independent review will take place is under active consideration," he said, indicating that details on the mechanism will be shared in early March.
At the same time, Pachauri said the IPCC stood firmly behind its 2007 Report.
"We stand firmly behind the rigour and robustness of the 4th Assessment Report's conclusions, and are encouraged by the support demonstrated recently by scientists and governments around the world," he said.
"The 4th Assessment Report's key conclusions are based on an overwhelming body of evidence from thousands of peer-reviewed and independent scientific studies. Most significantly, they rest on multiple lines of analysis and datasets," he said.
The IPCC panel was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize for its work highlighting the dangers of climate change.
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