Leading researchers have endorsed the review report from the Inter Academy Council (IAC) on U. N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) under the leadership of Rajendra Pachauri. The independent investigation found that the IPCC has largely been successful but the structures and methodologies must be improved.

The committee comprising of scientists representing 15 national science academies from around the world submitted its findings on Monday to the United Nations with recommendations for changes to the structure, methods and the leadership of the IPCC. The investigations fo the committee went on for six months.

The IPCC has faced severe criticism over a report which overstated the rate of melting glaciers in the Himalayas. Most researchers called it alarmist and misleading and accused it of being with substance.

Harold Shapiro, chair of the IAC Committee to Review IPCC and former president of Princeton University gave the credit to IPCC for raising public awareness of climate change and influencing policy makers.

The IAC did not focus on the climate models but it analyzed the methodologies and suggested improvements. The opponents of the belief that climate change exists were given substance when the faulty report about the melting Himalayan glaciers surfaced and the skeptics criticized the IPCC.

The IAC found various statements with high level of confidence but with lack of supportive evidence. The revising of the report, tightening up and lengthy review policy would help IPCC avoid such mistakes. The IAC has recommended that IPCC to completely refresh its top leadership and limit the time for people to hold top positions.

Dr Pachauri has brushed off criticism and said that he is yet to read the recommendations and noted that none of the earlier reviews had found flaw in the panel. The scientific community agrees with the assessment that the climate change is real. He said that he will remain in position until the next global report is published in 2014.

IPCC is seem as a bridge between scientists and political leaders around the world and the reforms could restore its credibility among people. The 194 national governments that control the IPCC will meet in its plenary meeting in South Korea next month and are expected to overhaul the management and procedures of the panel.