The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is chairing a newly created Cabinet Committee on Climate Change in a move to strengthen cross-departmental unity to tackle the issue.
The Committee will comprise of senior ministers and Secretaries of State including the Foreign Secretary, Transport 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.
This is the first committee of its kind and will aim to ensure the Government is making progress towards its net zero by 2050 ambitions as well as on track with international targets.
PM Boris Johnson said: “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.”
BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney welcomed the introduction of the new Committee: “Any initiative that helps to align environmental and fiscal policies, and gets government working in a more joined-up way is a good thing. We will work to ensure that the new Cabinet Committee on Climate Change is made aware of what support fleets need to help deliver government’s zero-emission goals.”
The Committee’s launch comes days after a new Environment Bill was announced creating a new independent Office for Environmental Protection; a body to cover all climate change legislation and hold the Government to account on its net zero emissions by 2050 promise.
In addition, the Bill will seek to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats for plants and wildlife.
More information about the Environment Bill can be read on the Gov.uk website.
