UK Climate Change Committee in urgent need of reform, according to new research

A new paper, published by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), harshly critiques the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC). 

The report, authored by IEA Head of Regulatory Affairs Victoria Hewson, concludes that the CCC has expanded well beyond its statutory obligations and acts in an overtly political way. It says that the “quality of the CCC’s advice is questionable” and that “the Committee has faced several allegations of conflicts of interest”.

The Climate Change Committee was established by the Climate Change Act 2008 to advise government on climate policies, in particular, with respect to carbon budgets and emissions targets for the period up to 2050.

But the report alleges that the CCC’s active public profile has undermined “its independence and indicates that it has become a political actor, rather than delivering balanced advice”.

Victoria Hewson, IEA Head of Regulatory Affairs and author of ‘Hot Air: A critique of the UK’s Climate Change Committee’, said: “Far from being treated as an irreproachable source of truth, the CCC should be challenged and scrutinised more than any other regulator or advisory body. But the reverse seems to be true, and this should be urgently addressed as it influences policymaking that will affect lives and livelihoods for generations”. 

The full report can be found here.