Profile | January 2008

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Dr. R.K. Pachauri: the seventh Indian Nobel laureate
Chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Dr Pachauri told reporters in New Delhi, "I can't believe it, I am overwhelmed, stunned." I was "just a symbol" and credit was due to his organisation and its efforts. 

"It is really the scientific community that contributes to the work of the IPCC and the governments who support the work of the IPCC who are really the winners of this award." 

He said he felt privileged to share the prize with "someone as distinguished" as the former US vice president.

"Al Gore certainly deserves it. The amount of effort he has put into creating awareness about climate change has had a major impact."

The two men spoke on the phone after the announcement.

"This is Pachy... I am certainly looking forward to working with you. I'll be your follower and you'll be my leader," Dr Pachauri said.

"Convey my congratulations to the IPCC," replied Mr Gore.  

He thanked his colleagues and well-wishers who assembled outside his office immediately after the news broke out.

“I was not expecting any award for my efforts. I feel privileged to share it with Al Gore. I am only a symbolic recipient but it is the organisation which has been awarded,'' he said.

"'With this award to the committee, the issue of climate change will come to the fore. It places a larger responsibility on me and I will ensure that more will be done."

Pachauri said climate change threatens to disrupt economic activity and social stability across the world.

''It's good that the global committee has highlighted the issue. By recognising the climate change, the Norwegian Committee wants to stress that something should be immediately done to mitigate the threats of global warming which are near and in real.'' 

Dr Pachauri says he is very concerned about India and other developing economies which will be hit hardest by climate change.

At the same time, he believes that the lead should come from the West.

"I think the developed countries will really have to create the conditions by which the developing countries will follow in due course," he told the BBC earlier this year. 

The Indian scientist who was earlier awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Indian Government, said: "The message should go to every developed and developing countries that climate change is a major issue. And we have to make sure that it does not afflict the inhabitants of this planet."

Dr Rajendra K Pachauri was born in Nainital, India, on 20 August 1940. He assumed his current responsibilities as the 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. Dr Pachauri has been elected as Chairman of IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), established by World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Environment Programme in 1988. He has taken charge as Chairman, IPCC from 20th April 2002 onwards. He has been active in several international forums dealing with the subject of climate change and its policy dimensions.

To acknowledge his immense contribution to the field of environment, he has been awarded the Padma Bhushan -- one of India's highest civilian awards that recognizes distinguished service of a high order to the nation in any field (January 2001).

Commencing his career with the Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, where he held several managerial positions, Dr Pachauri joined the North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA, where he obtained an MS in Industrial Engineering in 1972, a PhD in Industrial Engineering and a PhD in Economics, and also served as Assistant Professor (August 1974 -- May 1975) and Visiting Faculty Member (Summer 1976 and 1977) in the Department of Economics and Business.

On his return to India, he joined the Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, as Member Senior Faculty (June 1975 -- June 1979) and went on to become Director, Consulting and Applied Research Division (July 1979 -- March 1981). He joined TERI as Director in April 1981.

He has also 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.

His wide-ranging expertise has resulted in his being invited to join various international and national committees and boards, which on the international level include Member, Board of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), 1991 -- 1997; Member, World Resources Institute (WRI) Council, 1992; Chairman, Work Group A -- World Energy Council (WEC) Committee on Developing Countries, 1993 -- 1995; President (1988), Chairman (1989 -- 90), International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE), Washington, D C .; President, Asian Energy Institute, 1992 onwards.

Committees of the Government of India which he has served include Member, Panel of Eminent Persons on Power, Ministry of Power; Member, Delhi Vision -- Core Planning Group; Member, Advisory Board on Energy (ABE), Government of India, 1983 -- 1988 (The Board reported directly to the Prime Minister of India); Member, National Environmental Council, Government of India under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of India, November 1993 and April 1999; Member, Oil Industry Restructuring Group, "R" Group, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, 1994.

He has also served on academic and research institute bodies including Member, Board of Governors, Trireme Scientific & Industrial Research Foundation, September 1987; Member, Executive Committee of the India International Center, 1985 onwards; Member, Governing Council of the India Habitat Center, New Delhi, October 1987 onwards; Member, Court of Governors, Administrative Staff College of India, 1979 -- 81.

In January 1999, Dr R K Pachauri was appointed as Director, Board of Directors of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (a Fortune 500 company) for a period of 3 years.

In April 1999, Dr R K Pachauri 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 September 1999, Dr R K Pachauri was appointed as the Chairman, The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Heritage Foundation, Darjeeling.

He taught at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University, USA, as McCluskey Fellow during 6 September -- 8 December 2000.

In July 2001, Dr R K Pachauri was appointed Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India.

He has also authored 21 books and several papers and articles.