Jean-Pascal van Ypersele

Former IPCC Vice-chair (2008-2015, IPCC= Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change); Founder of the Plateforme wallonne pour le GIEC, Em. Prof. Climate & Env. Sc, UCLouvain; Invited Prof. ULiège, Belgium

Brussels Metropolitan Area

About

- Research on physics of the climate system, and impacts of natural and human factors on climate change (including through modelling) - Interdisciplinary research on climate policies, with, e.g. economists. - Teaching at university level on climate physics, climate modelling, environmental science and management, sustainable development, geophysics, and astronomy - Serving Society through science communication in the climate and environment area. - Chair of the "Energy and Climate" Working group of the Belgian federal Council for sustainable development" - Involvement in IPCC since 1995, from delegate to Lead author, then Bureau member, and Vice-Chair of IPCC from 2008 to 2015. The IPCC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. - Scientific advisor to the Belgian delegation at many UN conferences on climate and sustainable development, including most UNFCCC COPs. - Chair of several negotiating groups serving the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). During my IPCC Vice-chair mandate, I declined to do this any further. - Member of the Royal Belgian Academy, and of several international committees. My overall goal is to put my scientific knowledge and experience at the service of all those who want to contribute solving some of the more pressing environment and development problems, including climate change, in a sustainable and fair way.

Experience

  • Invited Professor at University of Liège
    Jun 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • Université catholique de Louvain (16 yrs 9 mos)
    • Professor Emeritus
      Oct 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 9 mos

    • Full Professor ("Professeur Ordinaire")
      Oct 2011 - Sep 2022 · 11 yrs

      Not sure what emeritus means: I am working as much as before...

    • Full Professor ("Professeur extraordinaire")
      Oct 2009 - Sep 2011 · 2 yrs

  • Chair, Energy and Climate Working Group at CFDD (Conseil fédéral du développment durable (Federal Council for Sustainable Development))
    1993 - Present · 33 yrs 6 mos

    This Advisory Council reviews existing or proposed legislation at the Belgian federal level from the sustainability (environmental, economic, and social) point of view.

  • Candidate IPCC Chair (2023 election) at IPCC
    Apr 2023 - Jul 2023 · 4 mos

  • IPCC (13 yrs 7 mos)
    • Candidate IPCC Chair (2015 election)
      Feb 2014 - Oct 2015 · 1 yr 9 mos

      The Belgian government decided in February 2014 already to support my candidacy for the position of IPCC Chair (elections due to take place from 5 to 8 October 2015). Since then, I have visited dozens of governments to listen to their concerns and views about the future of IPCC. My candidacy web page is at www.climate.be/vanyp (tab "IPCC"). The vision I have for my chairmanship is described in detail in my platform, available on that web page (direct link: http://www.elic.ucl.ac.be/users/vanyp/Candidature/programme%20JP_version%207.pdf )

    • Vice-chair
      Sep 2008 - Oct 2015 · 7 yrs 2 mos

      Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Groupe d'experts Intergouvernemental sur l'Evolution du Climat (GIEC) www.ipcc.ch NB: The support of the Federal Science Policy Office during my IPCC mandate is gratefully acknowledged.

    • Vice-chair of Working Group II
      Apr 2002 - Aug 2008 · 6 yrs 5 mos

      NB: The support of the Federal Science Policy Office during my IPCC mandate is gratefully acknowledged.