History
The Committee on Climate Change was formally launched as a statutory committee in December 2008 with Lord Adair Turner as its chair. The other committee members are David Kennedy (CEO), Lord Robert May, Sir Brian Hoskins, Lord John Krebs, Professor Julia King, Professor Jim Skea, Professor Michael Grubb and Sam Fankhauser.
An Adaptation Sub-Committee was set up in 2009 to provide advice to Government about adaptation i.e. the steps the UK should be taking to prepare for climate change impacts. Lord John Krebs is Chair of the Adaptation Sub-Committee, the other Committee members are Graham Wynne, CBE, Professor Jim Hall, Dr. Sam Fankhauser, Dr. Andrew Dlugolecki, Professor Martin Parry, Professor Anne Johnson and Professor Tim Palmer.
On 1 December 2008 the committee published its first major report entitled "Building a low-carbon economy – the UK’s contribution to tackling climate change". This recommended that the UK adopt a long-term target to reduce emissions of all greenhouse gases by at least 80% by 2050, in order to tackle climate change. It recommended the level of three five-yearly carbon budgets to cover the periods 2008-2012, 2013-2017 and 2018-2022.
In line with the recommendations in the Committee's report, in April 2009 the Government set a requirement for a 34% cut in carbon emissions by 2020.
In December 2010, the Committee recommended a 4th Carbon Budget to cover the period from 2023-2027. They recommended that the Government aims to cut emissions by at least 60% by 2030 to ensure that the UK is on track to meet the 2050 target. Parliament will debate the contents and proposals of this report before this summer's recess.
In addition to reports to advise on the level of carbon budgets, the CCC also provides annual progress reports to Parliament which provide an update on Government's progress towards meeting climate targets. The CCC has published Progress Reports for 2009 and 2010.
The Committee also publishes other advice on climate change science, economics and policy. It has recently published advice to Government about the Carbon Reduction Commitment, Low-carbon innovation, Aviation, Adaptation and Scottish climate change targets.
Read more about this topic: Committee On Climate Change
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