For the first time, Singapore has nominated one of its climate scientists, Associate Professor Winston Chow (pic), to the bureau of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to serve as a co-chair for the United Nations’ top climate science body.
The IPCC publishes a series of reports that assess the scientific basis of climate change, its impact and future risks, as well as possible options for countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and implement the necessary adaptation measures.
This helps governments to develop climate-related policies and contribute to global climate action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Prof Chow is nominated to the IPCC Bureau as a developing country co-chair, where he will contribute to Working Group II focusing on the impact of climate change on the planet and possible adaptation measures for the upcoming seventh assessment report cycle (AR7), which will commence in July, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE).
The 34-member IPCC Bureau provides guidance on the scientific and technical aspects of IPCC assessments and gives advice on management and strategic issues. Elections will be held in July.
“Given his extensive experience in this field, Prof Chow is well qualified to contribute to advancing the science of climate change, and shape practical recommendations on how governments and societies can effectively adapt to climate risks and enhance climate resilience,” said MSE.
This is particularly so “given that the IPCC has decided to include a Special Report on Cities and Climate Change in the AR7 cycle, which is an area in which he has done much research and field work”, it added.
Prof Chow said: “If elected, I will do my utmost to build on the work of past IPCC reports and contribute to strengthening climate action over the next climate assessment cycle.” — The Straits Times/ANN
