UN chief sorry for knocking opponents

THE chairman of the United Nations' climate change body has apologised for describing as "voodoo science" a report challenging its claims over melting glaciers.

However, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) chairman Rajendra Pachauri rejected calls for his resignation and said he would not step down until 2014.

The Indian government was rebuked by Pachauri for questioning the group's claims about the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers.

He said: "It was an intemperate statement. I shouldn't have used those words. I have to show respect to people who have worked on a particular subject."

Pachauri also said the IPCC would adopt a neutral advisory role, and he has agreed to stop making statements demanding new taxes and other radical policies on cutting emissions. But he said the forthcoming review of the IPCC would not include scrutiny of his own role or actions, just the panel's procedures.

Pachauri claimed the support of all the world's governments, and denied he would undermine the IPCC's chances of regaining popular credibility if he remained as chairman.

He said: "It is not correct to say there are people who don't trust me."

Pachauri admitted it had been a mistake to give the impression that he was advocating specific actions to cut emissions.

He has called for higher taxes on aviation and motoring, urged people to eat less meat, and proposed electricity meters in hotel rooms to charge people extra for using air conditioning.