Wednesday 7 January,
14.30, Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster
On Wednesday, MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee will
explore the public's perception of net zero, in the final session
of an inquiry on the Seventh Carbon
Budget.
The Committee will hear from experts in public engagement and
behavioural change on how to secure public buy-in for delivering
the Seventh Carbon Budget (CB7) as well as the Chief Executive
and Chair of the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC).
Around 80% of the public say they are concerned about climate
change, according to a citizens' panel convened by the CCC, while
65% say climate change is already having an impact on the UK. Yet
public knowledge on certain solutions and household choices, such
as heat pumps or alternative proteins, remains relatively low.
In the first panel, MPs are likely to ask whether the changes in
behaviour assumed by the Climate Change Committee are realistic
amid persistent challenges to the cost of living. They may ask
who is responsible for communicating with the public about the
net zero transition and how climate change mis- and
disinformation can be addressed.
In the second panel, MPs are likely to ask to what extent the CCC
considers the political landscape when determining its Balanced
Pathway to net zero, and whether political uncertainty is
affecting consumer and business confidence.
Witnesses
From 14.30:
- Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, Director of the Centre for
Climate Change and Social Transformation, University of Bath
- Toby Park, Director, Head of Climate, Energy and
Sustainability, Behavioural Insights Team
- Polly Cook, Chief Officer of Climate, Energy and Green
Spaces, Leeds City Council
From 15.30:
- Emma Pinchbeck, CEO, Climate Change Committee
- Nigel Topping, Chair, Climate Change Committee
