IPCC scholarship to advance climate-change education in vulnerable regions

The IPCC has announced a scholarship program funded by the money awarded to the organization for its 2007 Nobel Peace Prize:

The IPCC Scholarship Programme has been established with the funds received from the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize award to the IPCC. The first funding partner of the Programme is Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Former Norwegian Prime Minister and UN Special Envoy on Climate Change.

The goal of this programme is to help strengthen the scientific and technical capability in developing countries to contribute to climate science and research and to develop and implement climate change policies and measures at the domestic and international level. It should aim to stimulate a sound knowledge base and institutional strengthening in developing countries. Priorities will include research on climate processes or the impacts of climate change in the most vulnerable regions of the world, the potential for adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable development....

The IPCC Scholarship Programme is targeting the most vulnerable regions of the world where the IPCC has identified gaps in knowledge in terms of climate change science and impacts. These comprise developing countries, and in particular Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Therefore applications coming from scholars from these areas and addressing issues relevant to them will be given priority. The Scholarship provides for living expenses, and in some cases, for tuition fees as well.

The Programme aims at developing the knowledge, skills and capacity of the scholars in order to address climate change impacts and sustainable development. Priorities include research on the impacts of climate change in the most vulnerable regions of the world and the potential for adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development.

This seems like a sensible, ethical use of the award and a step in the right direction.  For many years I have argued that the technical knowledge needed to assess the costs or benefits of climate change (and related policies) are in short supply for many of the countries that need the expertise the most.  Colleagues who attended various international climate negotiations also consistently comment that the absence of technical experts, particularly in poorer (probably more vulnerable) countries negatively (and strongly) affects the bargaining power of many countries.  Even in the United States, it seems difficult to obtain the technical know-how necessary to formulate informed, comprehensive climate policies.  Perhaps other wealthy individuals/organizations will follow the lead of the IPCC and support the development of this kind of human capital.