15 October 2018
Lord Deben, Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, has welcomed the Government’s formal request for the Committee’s expert advice on setting the UK’s long-term emissions targets.
In April, the Government announced it would seek advice from the Committee following the publication of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees.
In response to a letter from Claire Perry MP, Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, Lord Deben, said:
“Just last week the IPCC issued a stark warning about the very serious threat posed by climate change. The difference in the impacts that we can expect to see with 1.5 and 2 degrees of warming is considerable. Today, I am pleased to accept the Government’s request for new advice from my Committee about the UK’s long-term climate change targets.
“As part of that work, we will consider how and by when the UK can effectively eliminate carbon emissions from its economy. We will also look at whether the current 2050 target – which requires an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050, compared to levels in 1990 – is still fit for purpose. And, we’ll set out the necessary steps to clean up the UK’s homes, industry, transport and agriculture to help drive down emissions further, as well the associated costs and benefits.
“We will be consulting widely, with citizens, industry, business and academia and expect to deliver our advice within six months.”
(from CCC website)