Sr. Pachauri is the Chairman of IPCC, established by the World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Environment Program in 1988, with Dr. Pachauri being elected Chairman in 2002.

Active in several international forums dealing with the subject of climate change and its policy dimensions, Dr. Pachauri has also led TERI (Tata Energy Research Institute), first as Director and, since April 2001, as Director-General. TERI does original work and provides professional support in the areas of energy, environment, forestry, biotechnology, and the conservation of natural resources to government departments, institutions, and corporate organizations worldwide.