Chapter 7 Australian Participation in the IPCCC

Organisational Arrangements > Arrangements 1989-93

Following the Government's initial consideration of its national approach to the greenhouse issue in early 1989, funding support for Australian participation in the work of the IPCC was provided through DASETT with policy coordination through a more broadly-based interdepartmental committee chaired, for IPCC purposes, by DASETT. Dr Tegart continued as Australian Principal Delegate to the IPCC with Dr J W Zillman, Director of Meteorology and Permanent Representative of Australia with WMO, as Alternate Principal Delegate. Secretariat support was provided by DASETT.

The informal national IPCC science communication network put in place following the initial establishment of the IPCC was maintained in operation through the preparation of the 1990 and 1992 IPCC scientific assessments. It was supplemented by review workshops to consider the drafts of both the 1990 and 1992 reports of WGI.

Following Dr Tegart's election as Co-Vice-Chairman of IPCC WGII at the First Session of the Panel in November 1988, Australia assumed a significant role in coordination of the overall international input to the reports of WGII.

During the preparation of the First Assessment Report 1988-90 and subsequently, the primary responsibility for coordination of Australian technical input to IPCC WGIII was carried by the Department of Primary Industries and Energy (DPIE).