CEO View: Policing Paris agreements

Matthew Bell explains the CCC's approach to creating transparent mechanisms to support binding and measurable international commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Over 150 leaders from countries around the world are gathering in Paris to try to reach a global deal to combat climate change. Pledges to cut emissions from 184 countries were received ahead of the Paris meeting. As I write, those meetings are heading into their second week. As you read this, I will be in Paris for the closing stages of the negotiations.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is only possible with global agreement, followed by actions to curb CO₂ around the world. Success after Paris will depend on every country knowing that every other country is acting in accordance with the international agreement, and with their domestic commitments to cut greenhouse gases. A fundamental question facing negotiators in Paris is this: how can governments be sure that other nations are sticking to their promises?

One answer to that question is the sheer scale and scope of actions that are being announced through the course of the meetings in Paris. Pledges are coming from companies (from HSBC to Facebook, Kingfisher to Carillion); from cities (mayors of 80 mega-cities have made announcements); from regions, provinces and states (ranging from Scotland to Alberta, California to South Australia); as well as from national leaders. The breadth of action helps to provide some assurance that nobody is acting alone.

However, real reassurance will only come through a transparent process for reporting on emissions reduction. Independent bodies – such as the UK Committee on Climate Change that I lead – will play an important role in providing clear, reliable and impartial evidence about progress made against commitments.

The UK Committee on Climate Change was set up under the 2008 Climate Change Act as an independent public body. Its two main committees, the Committee on Climate Change and the Adaptation Sub-Committee, consist of expert members appointed for fixed, five-year terms. The committees report to Parliament and do not sit underneath any department or minister. Our independence, much like regulators in other sectors or institutions such as the National Audit Office, provides many advantages that allow us to retain broad cross-party support for our role.

Other countries are likely to use a range of approaches to monitor and assess their progress to reduce emissions, but the basic principle of transparency should be preserved. Indeed, this transparency is a key part of ensuring nations can be confident that everyone is acting. I am in touch with an increasing number of similar institutions around the world.

In Paris, the Committee on Climate Change will sign a bilateral agreement with the Chinese Expert Committee on Climate Change; we will hold an event with other European climate change committees and meet with governments from around the world interested in establishing their own reporting processes. We will aim, in the years after the Paris meeting, to create the mutual reassurance among countries that will be required whatever precise level of emissions reduction is agreed.

I write this column before the final outcome of the Paris negotiations has been agreed. That has its drawbacks. At the same time, before the headlines are written and the myriad judgements are passed on the outcome, it also has its advantages. It allows me to be clear about two things.

First, 150 leaders gathering in one place, 184 national pledges plus many more regional and corporate commitments to tackle the threat of rising global temperatures is clearly unprecedented. There are a huge range of important and urgent issues facing the world today and none of them garner the level of support that tackling climate change has commanded.

Second, transforming that support into concrete action depends on impartial, reliable information about global progress to reduce greenhouse gases, as well as a clear idea about what additional action is required.

Global action to tackle excessive amounts of an odourless, tasteless, invisible gas will only succeed if there is trust in the accuracy and impartiality of reporting. With such reporting, we can best understand the impact of actions designed to address climate change, and best ensure that the right actions are taken in the right places.