The Bush administration , at the request of ExxonMobil , wanted rid of Robert Watson , a climate scientist and IPCC chairperson , and to have him replaced by Pachauri , who was seen at the time as more friendly to industry . The memo led to strong Bush administration lobbying , evidently at the behest of ExxonMobil , to oust Robert Watson , a climate scientist , from the IPCC chairmanship , and to have him replaced by Pachauri , who was seen at the time as more mild-mannered and industry-friendly .