Peace can be defined as security 
and the secure access to resources 
that are essential for living

^{Dr Rajendra K. Pachauri}

AG: The world has been worrying about climate change, yet clueless about its progress and forecasts in the near future. In your opinion, what would be the point-of-no-return?
DR.P: We have addressed the point-of-no-return effectively in the Synthesis Report of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. We have highlighted abrupt and irreversible changes such as the melting of the Greenland or West Antarctic ice sheets, or the possible extinction of species. For Asia, the melting of glaciers and rising sea levels do represent threats considered points-of-no-return for several millions of people who would be affected.

AG: How has receiving the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize helped in raising the profile of your work?
DR.P: The Nobel Peace Prize is certainly the most coveted award in the world, and by virtue of that, perhaps the most visible. Since the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was essentially awarded for work in climate change, a great deal of attention has been generated worldwide on the subject, along with my work and the organisations that I represent. I have received a large number of speaking invitations all over the world and hard questions on which people 
seek answers.

AG: There are some governments in Asia who maintain that they cannot reduce emissions at the cost of economic growth. What would you say to that?
DR.P: Emissions cannot be reduced by societies living in a state of poverty and deprivation. Also, the “common but differentiated responsibility” clause in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) clearly requires developed nations to take the first step. In the case of Asia, a country like Japan is already highly energy-efficient. The reluctance of the government and industries there to take more cuts is understandable. The world has to come up with new approaches or changes to lifestyles, and use low-carbon technologies for which major policy shifts are essential.

AG: What are some of the best government and corporate climate change initiatives that you have seen recently?
DR.P: Some of the best government initiatives I can think of are in Germany, France and Japan. For corporate organisations, DuPont and even BP have done quite well. GE’s initiative of “ecomagination” is also commendable in developing low-carbon technologies.

AG: Since the IPCC’s last report in 2007, do you think there have been improvements in Asia’s policies and initiatives?
DR.P: There has been a distinct change since the IPCC’s last report. India has come out with its National Action Plan on Climate Change, which is forward-looking, and so has China. South Korea’s Green Growth strategy is particularly commendable and in parts, other countries have also done well.

AG: How do you think the global economic recession 
has affected climate change or green initiatives across 
the region?
DR.P: This should be seen as an opportunity for 
countries to alter their economic structures substantially. Asia should follow the philosophy put forward by US President Barack Obama for generating growth and employment through investments in energy efficiency 
and ‘green’ energy.

AG: What can we expect from the IPCC Fifth 
Assessment Report?
DR.P: It will certainly provide substantial new knowledge, greater regional detail and possibly much more emphasis on the economic, social science and policy aspects of climate change.

AG: In a previous interview, you mentioned that “the impact of climate change has to be essentially studied 
with respect to specific locations and regions” – what are some of these locations the IPCC is focusing on now? 
Will they be the primary areas of focus in the Fifth Assessment Report?
DR.P: If adaptation measures are to be understood and implemented, we need very specific information. There are some regions of the world where research on impacts is nearly non-existent. These include several parts of Africa, fairly large regions of Asia as well as Latin America. Hopefully, the Fifth Assessment Report can come up with much more focused assessments of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation for new programmes in these regions.

AG: Can you tell us about the projects that The Energy and Resources Institute in New Delhi is working on?
DR.P: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an institution of over 800 people with a presence in several parts of the world. At any stage, it is working on over 200 projects ranging from biotechnology to renewable energy technologies and policies related to climate change. It also does a great deal of grassroots work in both urban and suburban areas in developing countries.

AG: Which of these projects are of personal interest to you, and why?
DR.P: My main interest lies in projects that have relevance and potential benefits for the poor. The world has very large populations still living in poverty.

AG: What is your personal opinion of biodiesel?
DR.P: That depends on how it is produced. If biodiesel production conflicts with food production, that is clearly problematic. But there are other ways by which biodiesel can be produced from non-edible crops, such as Jatropha, which grows in poor soils and with very little water.

AG: In your opinion, which industry is in most urgent need of environmental or green reforms?
DR.P: Green reforms are required across the board in every industry, but in my view the transport sector requires urgent transformation.