The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has confirmed the appointment of Lord Deben as the new Chair of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). As reported in July, Lord Deben was selected as the preferred candidate to replace Lord Adair Turner as Chair of the CCC. The announcement follows a successful pre-appointment hearing on September 4 whereby the Energy and Climate Change Committee recommended Lord Deben for the role.
Accepting the role, Lord Deben said: “This appointment is a great honour. I look forward to building upon the solid foundations that Adair Turner has laid. I am determined that the Committee on Climate Change will remain firmly independent, giving impartial, scientifically well-founded advice to the UK Government and devolved administrations.”
Commenting on the appointment, Secretary of State, Ed Davey, said: “Lord Deben brings with him a huge amount of knowledge of working with businesses in the environment sector and of working with Government during his time as a Government Minister and an MP.
“Lord Deben has a major contribution to make to the climate change agenda, and I look forward to working with him as we move into critical period on climate change issues both at home and abroad.”
Lord Deben is taking reins of the CCC following Lord Adair Turner’s decision to step down as Chair to focus on his role as Chair of the Financial Services Authority. Previosuly, Lord Deben served as the Secretary of State for the Environment and was described as the “best Environment Secretary we’ve ever had” by Friends of the Earth.
Welcoming the appointment of Lord Deben, Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said: “Lord Deben’s defining challenge will be to ensure that the Government’s Energy Bill sets targets that lead to the decarbonisation of UK electricity generation by 2030 – a measure the Committee on Climate Change recommends as essential for meeting the nation’s climate targets.
“We’re delighted by this appointment – Lord Deben has been a passionate champion of a thriving green economy for many years. The new chair fully understands the urgent need to cut emissions and recognises that investment in clean British energy from the wind, waves and sun is essential for economic growth.”
