Amongst all that, #COP26 also saw launch of the International Climate Councils Network (climatecouncilsnetwork.org). Obvs it’s global action that matters in the end & in many ways climate is ultimately a political economy problem.
No doubt that strong overarching climate laws and effective climate advisers are a key piece of architecture for delivering on the Paris Agreement, just ask @IPCC_CH
Talking with sibling councils and policymakers across the world has been a constant highlight. Particularly enjoyed my 2 months in 2019 working with and learning from the fab and lovely team @ClimateCommNZ 🇳🇿 helping get the NZ NZ framework going
Practically, @theCCCuk have done some simple guides (inc 🇨🇳🇪🇸 translations) to get started on all these things:
-The Climate Act
-The CCC
-Setting a Net Zero target
-Setting a Path to Net Zero
-Monitoring progress
-Assessing climate risks theccc.org.uk/publication/in…
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Recently had my 798th and final week at @theCCCuk. We didn’t get everything right, but I’m sure we helped the UK’s climate journey over those 15 years.
🦣🧵 on the CCC and UK decarbonisation, a story in 3 parts: The Start, The Struggle, and Net Zero
Background
CCC is UK’s independent statutory climate adviser (1st of its kind in world)
Formal role to advise on emissions targets, adaptation plans, and progress v both
Informally, to help the politics and guide the narrative. Most think we did a decent job (quotes GRI_LSE)
Pre-CCC:
A long time ago, UK had a 2050 emissions target of -60% that only covered CO2. Wise folk @friends_earth (@bryworthington) made Big Ask for a climate bill. @lordstern1 & team wrote definitive review showing action better than inaction. @David_Cameron hugged a husky
@theCCCuk have published our verdict on last week’s Net Zero Strategy. Overall, we like it
✅ Ambition matches targets
✅ Sector splits and technology deployment laid out
✅ Credible delivery policies proposed
✅ Cross-cutting policies moved forward
✅ Quick timelines proposed
🧵
That’s a big step forward, but – you guessed it – not the end. Now we need to move quickly onto implementation of those plans.
The Strategy gives a much better platform for that – now we know the Govt plans it’s easier for us at @theCCCuk to hold their feet to the fire 🦶🔥
Ambition: Meets the carbon budgets. Latest GDP forecasts make the job a little easier, but Govt have been cautious on lasting COVID behavioural effects and on Global Warming Potentials. That’s a straight bat on the technicalities.
Another important step forward today for #netzero policy, with the Transport ‘greenprint’, including aviation consultation. We’ve been waiting at @theCCCuk…glad that it’s now out. A🧵
Publication below, and a neat video tying it together with where we are and the bigger picture
Transport is the UK’s biggest source of emissions and aviation is one of the toughest to decarb. Both contributed to the ambition and policy gaps @theCCCuk identified in our progress report last month. Great to have ambitions and policies clarified.
UK already had commitment to phase out sales of petrol/diesel cars/vans by 2030-35. Now a proposal for trucks 2035-2040. That means Govt can point to “the end of sale of all new, non-zero emission road vehicles by 2040 at the latest”. Impressive, and aligned to @theCCCuk.
Every good report has a sporting parallel, today @theCCCuk are channelling the Olympics 🥇: UK must go higher, faster, stronger in pursuit of Net Zero:
-Ambitions need to be higher
-Implementation needs to be faster
-Policies need to be stronger
🧵
There have been some BIG climate commitments in the last year. Those are very welcome, but we’ve also seen a tendency for ambition to be rather less than needed. Will need strengthening if the Net Zero Strategy is to do its job. Clock is ticking before COP26
We’ve also seen a flurry of strategies – lots of good stuff in the Ten Point Plan, the Energy White Paper, the Industry Decarb Plan, Trees – but other biggies have been delayed – the HMT costs review, the Heat & Bldgs Strategy, the Transport Plan. All depts need to move faster