ANU PROFESSOR ELECTED A VICE-CHAIR OF IPCC PANEL

Acting Director of The Australian National University (ANU) Climate Change Institute, Professor Mark Howden, has been elected a Vice-Chair of Working Group 2 of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Working Group 2 addresses climate impacts and adaption. The election means Professor Howden will play an influential role in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, due to be released between 2020 and 2022.

“I’m passionate about connecting science with key decision-makers, with the ultimate goal of better managing climate risk and facilitating sustainable development,” Professor Howden said.

“I’m particularly keen to ensure an inclusive approach for IPCC member governments in our South East Asian and Pacific region.

“Over the next few months, we’ll be raising relevant regional issues in the scoping of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. We’ll also be seeking first-class candidates from the region to act as authors for the next report.”

Professor Howden has made major contributions to the IPCC over the past 23 years. He has reviewed and written chapters on climate impacts and adaption, mitigation, special reports, and the 2014 Synthesis Report. He also had a key early role in the IPCC Greenhouse Gas inventory development.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Young AO said Professor Howden’s election highlighted the depth of world-class climate science across the University.

“Mark’s election is great recognition of the work being done at ANU to help the world understand and plan for the impacts of climate change,” Professor Young said.

“On behalf of the University, I congratulate him on his election.”

As well as his ANU role, Professor Howden is Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO Agriculture and an Honorary Professor at Melbourne University, School of Land and Food.