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Prof Jim Skea, Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London, was elected the new Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Prof David Reay, Professor of Carbon Management; Executive Director of Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, University of Edinburgh, said:
“Fantastic news. Jim’s vast experience across climate science, policy and practice, including as chair of the Just Transition Commission here in Scotland, make him a perfect choice for this crucial role. He’s also a lovely guy.”
Prof Sir Brian Hoskins, Chair of the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, said:
“From Margaret Thatcher’s speech at the UN in the late 1970s through the Climate Change Act in 2008 the UK has been at the forefront in dealing with the issue of climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions. It is wonderful to see our position reinvigorated by the appointment of Jim Skea as the new Chair of the IPCC. He has a wealth of relevant experience behind him and a sure foot in treading the minefield of international politics. We must all hope that, under his guidance, the IPCC can give the countries of the world the evidence and help that they require to turn their words into actions.”
Prof Piers Forster, Interim Chair of the Climate Change Committee; and Professor of Climate Change and Director of the Priestley International Centre for Climate, University of Leeds, said:
“Jim was a founding member of the Climate Change Committee and former IPCC co-chair. Jim will be a great chair of the IPCC over such a crucial decade where we really need to see a massive step up in international cooperation and action. Leading the IPCC gives the UK a great opportunity to re-establish itself as an international climate leader.”
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