( CNN ) -- As head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) , Dr. Rajendra Pachauri is at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change . Dr. Rajendra Pachauri . The IPCC was the joint winner -- along with Al Gore -- of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize . Pachauri -- an economist and environmental scientist -- has been Chairman of the IPCC since 2002 . Dr. Pachauri began his career with Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi , India , before attending North Carolina State University where he gained a clutch of qualifications including PhDs in Industrial Engineering and Economics . In a long and distinguished career he has served on the boards of many institutions and committees . Since 1981 , he has been Director General of TERI ( The Energy and Resources Institute ) -- an Indian based non-profit scientific and policy research organization . In 1999 , Dr. Pachauri was appointed to the board of both the Indian Oil Corporation Limited and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies ( IGES ) in Japan . He served on both for three years . In 2001 Dr. Pachauri was awarded the Padma Bhushan -- one of India 's highest civilian awards -- for his environmental work . Read Dr. Pachauri 's blog .
Dr. Rajendra Pachauri is trying to combat climate change . He is a joint winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore . Pachauri was awarded the Padma Bhushan , one of India 's highest awards .