Department of Energy and Climate Change
The Rt Hon Lord Deben PC has been confirmed as Chair of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), as approved by Energy Secretary Ed Davey.
This follows a successful pre-appointment hearing on Tuesday 4 September, in which the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) recommended that he was suitable for the role.
DECC Secretary of State, Edward Davey, said:
Lord Deben brings with him a huge amount of knowledge of working with businesses in the environment sector and of working with Government during his time as a Government Minister and an MP.
Lord Deben has a major contribution to make to the climate change agenda, and I look forward to working with him as we move into critical period on climate change issues both at home and abroad.
Lord Deben said:
This appointment is a great honour. I look forward to building upon the solid foundations that Adair Turner has laid. I am determined that the Committee on Climate Change will remain firmly independent, giving impartial, scientifically well-founded advice to the UK Government and devolved administrations.
As Chair, Lord Deben will be responsible for steering and developing the overall work of the CCC, which advises the UK Government on setting and meeting carbon budgets and on preparing for the impacts of climate change.
Lord Deben will succeed Lord Adair Turner who stepped down earlier this year to focus on his role as Chair of the Financial Services Authority.
Notes to editors
- The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is an independent body established under the Climate Change Act to advise the Government on emissions targets, and to report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For more information on the CCC, please visit the CCC website.
- The Climate Change Act 2008 specifies that the appointment of the CCC Chair and its Members are made jointly by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (SofS) and Ministers in the devolved administrations.
- Lord Deben was a Member of Parliament until 2010. His ministerial experience included Secretary of State for the Environment and Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Food. He was twice awarded the title Parliamentarian who did most for the environment internationally by the BBC as well as being described as the best Environment Secretary weve ever had by Friends of the Earth. He was Chairman of David Camerons Quality of Life Commission, as well as Chairman of the Oxford Commission for Sustainable Consumption. For seven years he chaired the Marine Stewardship Council and he writes regularly on environmental and planning issues. Lord Deben was educated at Kings School Rochester and Selwyn College Cambridge where he was President of the Cambridge Union.
- Lord Debens present professional positions include: Chairman, Association of Independent Financial Advisers; Chairman, Forewind Ltd; Chairman, Sancroft International Ltd; Chairman, Valpak Ltd; Chairman, Veolia UK; Non-executive Director, Castle Trust Capital Ltd; Non-executive Director, Catholic Herald; Non-executive Director, Veolia Voda.
- Lord Debens present voluntary positions include: Trustee, Blue Marine Foundation; Trustee, British Architectural Library Trust; President, GLOBE International; Member, Board of Directors, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; Trustee, Theodore Trust.
- The Government has explored conflicts of interest with Lord Deben and is satisfied that arrangements will be in place to handle any perceived conflicts.
- Lord Debens appointment has been made in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, which sets out the rules and transparency requirements which must be satisfied before public appointments can be made. This link is available on the Cabinet Office website.