'Australia seize clean coal opportunity': UN Panel Chief

Melbourne, Aug 10 (UNI) The head of UN's top scientific body on global warming has urged the most populous Australian state of New South Wales to adopt 'clean coal' technology by setting up an experimental plant.

Rajendra Pachauri, the chief of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made this suggestion to the New South Wales premier Morris Iemma while talking to a News Corporation newspaper.

''It will be extremely important for a state like NSW to seize the opportunity and create at least a demonstration project on advanced technology,'' Dr Pachauri told the Herald today.

''I know it will cost more, it will probably mean an increase in electricity prices, but if a prosperous part of the world is not prepared to take that kind of step, how can you expect poor countries to do something similar?'' the UN official asked.

Rajendra Pachauri had also reportedly urged both Australia and India to co-operate on a solar power project that could help bring renewable energy to poor rural communities around the world.

An inquiry panel into the state's energy needs was expected to table its report this month.

Rajendra Pachauri, an industrial engineer from India, was touring Australia these days to discuss the latest UN climate report with the Liberal government. He was also delivering a series of lectures in Australia on climate change.

The UN panel chief also urged the developed countries to take immediate and drastic measures to avoid catastrophic changes in the global climate.

Mr Pachauri was widely quoted in the Australian media in the recent days pointing out the extreme weather conditions and floods in Bangladesh, India and China.

He also gave examples of the delta cities like Dhaka, Kolkata and Shanghai to warn about the dangers posed by changing climate.

''The drainage in some of these cities will prove totally inadequate,'' Dr Pachauri told the Herald. He warned if big financial aid was not forthcoming, ''people are going to die''.

''Where is the money going to come from?'' the UN panel chief asked. ''I am afraid the global community is not paying attention to adaptation measures and it's only now that this is coming to the surface,'' he added.

UNI