THE independent body created to assess the government’s delivery of plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 has commenced its review – and is expected to publish its first report ahead of the next election.
Environment Minister Steve Luce described the Climate Council’s inception as “a vital step in ensuring transparent, independent oversight of our climate commitments”.
It follows the appointment of five Council members, including two Islanders, drawn from “a range of relevant professional backgrounds”.
In 2022, the States Assembly approved the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, setting out a number of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to reach a target of net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with commitments made under the Paris Agreement.
The measures introduced so far have included a subsidy for electric vehicles and a low carbon heating incentive.
The Climate Council was established following a successful amendment to the Roadmap proposed by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, of which Deputy Luce was then vice-chair.
The amendment called for the creation of an independent body to review progress and advise on future climate change mitigation action.
States Members later agreed that the council would be tasked with producing a report at the end of each four-year delivery phase of the roadmap, the first of which runs from 2022 to the end of this year.
Deputy Luce said: “The inception of Jersey’s Climate Council is a vital step in ensuring transparent, independent oversight of our climate commitments.
“This was the Scrutiny Panel’s priority in proposing the amendment to the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, and it remains my priority as the minister responsible for the Island’s emission reduction programme.”
The Chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, Deputy Hilary Jeune, said it was “a privilege” to have jointly-approved the “excellent” appointments to the council alongside Deputy Luce.
“Now, more than ever it is vital that we ensure Jersey’s response to the climate emergency delivers targeted and effective action to tackle our greenhouse gas emissions,” she added.
“The Climate Council has a key role to play in assessing what has been achieved since the Carbon Neutral Roadmap was approved and in recommending the most effective actions government can take next.”
Council chair Philip New stated that he and his fellow members were “committed to maximising this opportunity and helping shape the climate future of this unique Island with independence and integrity”.
“Over the course of this rapid review the Council will bring together experience from the fields of utilities, climate science, financial management, sustainable energy and engineering to address the interrelated and complex challenges of addressing climate change,” he said.
The council’s review is expected to cost £40,000, which will be funded by the Climate Emergency Fund.
It will be supported by a secretariat located in the States Greffe and convene for focused, short reviews towards the end of each term of government.
The council’s first report is due to be published ahead of the next election.
Appointments to the Council
Professor Liz Bentley – chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society and president of the European Meteorological Society.
Mark Bowden – head of water resilience and emergency planning at Jersey Water.
Dr Paul Hodgson – managing director of strategy and systems consultancy pH [Shift].
Philip New – former chief executive of BP’s Alternative Energy business.
Dipak Vashi – head of Sustainability at Grant Thornton in the Channel Islands.
