Let's not lose focus in climate fight
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As an intergovernmental body it is open to all member countries of the UN and the World Meteorological Organization. Governments are directly involved through participation in the review process and in the IPCC plenary sessions, and endorse the IPCC reports. In February 2010, world environmental ministers attended the UNEP Global Ministerial Environment Forum met in Bali. In their "Nusa Dua Declaration", they reiterated their support for the conclusions reached by the IPCC on climate change as a man-made threat.
This attempt to vilify the IPCC, and the calls fo Chairman Pachauri to resign, illustrate the inconsistency of the criticism, as the debate must continue to be on the scientific bases of climate change, and not the hard-working people involved in trying to face the challenge and solve the problem.
In China, one of the priorities of the UN system is to assist the country in tackling climate change. China's own National Assessment Report concluded in 2005 that climate change is taking place, and that it is most likely due to human activity.
China's leaders have initiated a transition to a low carbon economy and society. China's goal of having 15 percent renewable energy, in combination with the goal to cut carbon intensity by 40-45 percent by 2020 over 2005 levels are clear signs of this shift. Also, China sees the value of the work of the IPCC: 28 Chinese experts were selected for the write-up of the Fourth Assessment Report.
Although four reports have been published by the IPCC, a great deal of research remains to be done to assess the complexities of climate change. The work for the Fifth Assessment Report has been initiated, and for instance, one of the key areas stressed are urban areas.
Cities and other human settlements are at the forefront of climate change. As large emitters of greenhouse gases, they significantly contribute to climate change. Simultaneously, due to their concentration of population and infrastructure assets, cities are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Despite the substantial role played by cities, after four reports a comprehensive evaluation on urban climate change effects is still missing. Therefore, the UN system in China stands with the IPCC and its precious work. The IPCC is a legitimate body entrusted with the responsibility of doing research for the sake of all of humanity and to respond to the challenges that climate change is raising for each of us.
The author is the United Nations resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in China.
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