CCC delays sixth carbon budget

The government’s climate change watchdog has pushed back the publication of its blueprint for the upcoming sixth carbon budget as it seeks to understand how the coronavirus response feeds into the net-zero journey.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has announced that it has amended its 2020 work programme to respond to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The CCC will refocus its annual progress report to Parliament, which is due to be published in June, to include advice on supporting a resilient recovery following the pandemic, alongside its regular statutory assessment of the UK’s progress in reducing emissions.

The committee will also write to ministers in the coming weeks to set out initial advice on ensuring that rebuilding efforts support a “just transition”, which does not disadvantage certain sections of society, towards net zero emissions and strengthen the UK’s preparedness for climate change.

The CCC has also announced that its advice to government on the level of the sixth carbon budget, covering 2033 to 2037, will be postponed from September to December.

This new publication date, which is still within the statutory timetable, provides additional time for the CCC to complete its analysis and reflect on the impacts of the crisis.

The carbon budget publication date was originally brought forward to September in order to tie in with the Glasgow COP26 climate change summit, which the government has announced will be postponed until next year as a result of the pandemic.

The CCC has also announced that it will be receiving advice from the EU’s former climate change lead negotiator to guide its international work in the run up to the rescheduled COP.

Pete Betts, a veteran of 16 UN global warming summits, is the UK government’s former chief climate negotiator, and led the EU’s efforts for six years, including at the Paris COP in 2015.

CCC’s chief executive Chris Stark, said: “Responding to the pandemic is, rightly, the immediate priority for everyone. Eventually, thoughts will turn to the need to rebuild after coronavirus – the climate priorities can help shape these efforts. The committee will offer advice to government on constructing a resilient recovery. Coronavirus is teaching us all the value of prudent planning for global shocks.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Pete Betts to our team. His insight will be invaluable to the committee in the run-up to the most important summit on climate change since the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015.”