The Climate Change Committee

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is an independent statutory body which provides independent advice to the UK Government and governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on reducing emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change. It reports progress against those objectives to the respective Parliaments and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Under the Climate Change Act 2008, and under equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales, the Committee is required to produce a number of statutory reports to Government and Parliament. In order to do so, the Committee consults and researches widely, working closely with academics and a wide cross-section of stakeholders from business, industry and civil society.

In May 2019, the Committee issued a landmark recommendation to Government, showing how the UK could effectively end its contribution to global warming by the middle of the century. The ‘Net Zero’ target, which will reduce the UK’s polluting emissions to nearly zero by 2050, passed into law in summer 2019.

In order to meet the 2050 target, the Climate Change Act uses budgets that restrict the level greenhouse gas the UK can emit over a period of 5 years. To date, five carbon budgets have been legislated. Last December, the Committee delivered new advice on the level of the Sixth Carbon Budget. This budget, which puts a limit on greenhouse gas emissions during the 2030s, is the first to be set on the pathway to Net Zero; detailing the actions which must happen soon if that ambition is to become a reality. Specifically, the report outlines the abatement options to reduce emissions, the level of investment required to deploy low-carbon solutions, and the policies needed to support the decarbonisation of the economy.

The CCC’s attention now turns to the 2021 progress report that will assess Government action towards meeting that Net Zero target - that work is due to be published this summer. 2021 is a crucial year for the UK, where it will hold the Presidency of both the G7 and then the pivotal COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, in November. The Committee is also focused on supporting the UK’s efforts to drive global climate action. Success, though, begins at home. Concerted steps to reduce emissions and improve resilience to climate impacts are vital if the UK is to position itself as an international climate leader.

Visit the Committee’s website for further information or take a look at this short animation about the Committee’s work.