UK: The new CEO of the Climate Change Committee, Emma Pinchbeck, has said she will take the opportunity to “influence the UK’s progress on reducing emissions” and to support the Government in making the transition.
Pinchbeck, who starts her role on November 11th, will oversee the publication of the Seventh Carbon Budget advice in early 2025 and the fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment independent assessment in 2026.
These outline the carbon emission limit for the period of 2038 – 2042 and how to respond to the climate risks faced in the UK respectively.
The Committee delivers this work for the Governments of the UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
As CEO of Energy UK, Pinchbeck is expert in handling technical analysis and policy debate over energy sector decarbonisation and has strong relationships within the climate and energy sectors.
Pinchbeck will be supporting Professor Piers Forster in his current role as interim chair and Baroness Brown as chair of the Adaptation Committee.
Professor Piers Forster, interim chair of the Climate Change Committee, said: “The Committee is incredibly excited for Emma to join as chief executive later this year.
“I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Dr James Richardson, who has been our acting chief executive since Chris Stark stepped down. It has been a crucial period of analytical development in the organisation, and we wouldn’t be in such a strong position if not for his tireless dedication.”
Secretary of state for the Department for Net Zero and Energy Security, Ed Miliband, said: “We are almost halfway through the decisive decade to halt climate change. Emma is joining the Climate Change Committee at a pivotal point, and following her leadership at Energy UK, is well placed to advise and challenge government on our net zero goals – ensuring we meet our climate commitments with ambition and urgency.”
Emma Pinchbeck, incoming chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the team as the chief executive of the Climate Change Committee. The Committee serves a rare role – it both advises the Government of the day and holds it to account against the targets it has committed to. My predecessors have navigated that path incredibly well, and I look forward to doing the same.
“We are behind on our national targets, and time is running out to catch up with delivery.”
She added: “I take the opportunity to influence the UK’s progress on reducing emissions incredibly seriously, and to support Government make this transition in the way that most benefits people and the economy. You can expect the CCC to have much to say about this going forward.”