European commission welcomes IPCC environmental analysis decision

The European commission has expressed its pleasure at a decision by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to allow the European community take part in its meetings.

In a statement, the organisation said that the prerogative is normally reserved for governments and the move recognises the "special status" enjoyed by the European community and also allows commission representatives to introduce proposals at the sessions.

However, they will not be able to vote. This move is in line with the request made by the commission.

Founded by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization ,the IPCC aims to act as a provider of objective information on climate change.

Commenting on the move, environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "It is important that we will now be fully involved in the IPCC's future scientific assessments of climate change which, of course, shall remain the basis for our policies, both nationally and globally."

Posted by Claire Manning