4 March 2009: In his address to the National Climate Change Response Policy Development Summit in South Africa, Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), expressed concern with the slow international response to mitigate climate change. The Summit is taking place from 3-6 March 2009, in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa.

In his message, delivered via a “carbon-friendly” video, Pachauri noted that developed countries were showing little leadership. He warned that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be reduced now to avoid unimaginable harm to the planet and that the poorest regions of the world will be most affected. He added that, if GHG emissions remain unmitigated, the impacts of climate change are going to exceed the capacity of countries and communities to adapt.
In another video message to the Summit, Connie Hedegaard, Chair of the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and Danish Minister of Climate and Energy, emphasized the need for equity in the new climate deal and noted that developed countries must commit to paying their fair share. In this regard, she highlighted that strong leadership and political courage are necessary. [Summit Newsletter]  [Summit Website]