Johnson to chair new climate change committee

The Prime Minister will chair a new Cabinet Committee on Climate Change to drive further action across government to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

The first government committee of its kind, it will bring together ministers responsible for domestic and international climate change policy and provide a forum to hold departments to account for their actions to combat climate change.

Following the introduction of the landmark Environment Bill, the committee will play an essential role in co-ordinating the net zero emissions by 2050 target across all government departments. It will also oversee the UK’s preparations to host the UN’s major climate summit COP26, in November 2020.

As well as Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the committee will include representation from the departments responsible for taking this agenda forward including the Foreign Secretary, the Chancellor, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Business Secretary, the Environment Secretary, the Transport Secretary, the International Development Secretary and the Housing Secretary.

Johnson said: “I want us to become the cleanest, greenest society on earth, and inspire countries around the world to follow our lead so that our children can breathe clean air and benefit from the wonderful flora and fauna of this earth. We know that people across the UK are passionate about protecting our planet, and we need to continue building on the excellent progress this government has made in tackling climate change and improving our environment.

“That’s why I’m announcing today that I will personally chair a new cross-government Committee on Climate Change, bringing together my ministers to galvanise action to tackle the great environmental challenges we face.”