by David Metz
15. December 2008 06:10
The UK Climate Change Committee has now been formally established under the Climate Change Act 2008. Its first, very substantial, report, published at the begining of December, advises on initial carbon budgets for the UK. The CCC believes that an 80% reduction in carbon emissions for the UK by 2050 is appropriate, feasible and affordable. It expects almost complete decarbonisation of electricity supply generation and extension of electricity to a wider range of end uses, including transport. It sees significant potential for behavioural change, but not sufficient to make this an alternative to radical improvement in energy efficiency and investment in low carbon sources.
One of the better innovations in public policy in recent years in the UK has been the establishment of authoritative bodies to advise on or exectute policy, at arm's length from government. Such bodies are independent, have the resources for extensive analysis, and have to be listened to by ministers because they have a formal role in the machinery of government. Nicholas Stern's review of the Economics of Climate Change is a good example of a one-off study, as are the long-running series of studies from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The work of the CCC seems set to follow this pattern. The report, 'Building a low carbon economy', is essential reading for anyone taking a close interest in climate change.
