The Bureau of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) agreed on Tuesday, in accordance with its procedures, to designate Vice-Chair Ismail El Gizouli as Acting IPCC Chair.

The designation of Gizouli follows the decision by Rajendra K Pachauri to step down as Chairman of the IPCC, effective today.

“The actions taken today will ensure that the IPCC’s mission to assess climate change continues without interruption,” said Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, who facilitated the Bureau meeting.

The full press release from the IPCC can be seen on the IPCC website.