THE SIXTH Carbon Budget will be delayed until December due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Committee on Climate Change has announced.
The Committee will be amending its programme for 2020, refocusing its annual Progress Report to Parliament in June to include advice on supporting a resilient recovery following the pandemic, alongside the statutory assessment of the UK’s progress in reducing emissions.
The Committee will also write to Ministers in the coming weeks to set out initial advice on ensuring that rebuilding efforts support a just transition towards Net Zero emissions and strengthen the UK’s preparedness for climate change.
Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change, commented on the news: “Responding to the pandemic is, rightly, the immediate priority for everyone.
“Eventually, thoughts will turn to the need to rebuild after coronavirus – the climate priorities can help shape these efforts.
“The Committee will offer advice to Government on constructing a resilient recovery.
“Coronavirus is teaching us all the value of prudent planning for global shocks.”
Following the new amended schedule, advice to Government on the level of the Sixth Carbon Budget (2033-2037) will be published in December 2020, instead of in September.
This provides additional time to complete the analysis and reflect on the impacts of the crisis.
According to the Committee, the new publication date is still within the statutory timetable.
The Third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment evidence report, which the Committee’s Adaptation Committee will deliver to Government next year, is still scheduled for publication in summer 2021, although this date will be kept under review.
Preparations for COP26 in 2021 also continue, according to the Committee.
They have also announced that Pete Betts, the UK Government’s former chief climate negotiator, will offer his expert advice to the Committee to guide their international work.
Mr Stark continued: “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Pete Betts to our team.
“His insight will be invaluable to the Committee in the run-up to the most important summit on climate change since the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015.”
