The Climate Change Committee has appointed a new chief executive.
Emma Pinchbeck will step down as chief exec at Energy UK to lead the government’s independent climate advisers, taking up her new role on 11 November.
She takes over the role from acting chief Dr James Richardson, who took the reins of the organisation in April, when Chris Stark stood down having led the CCC for six years. In July, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero appointed Stark to lead a new clean power "mission control" centre.
Pinchbeck said she is “delighted” to join the CCC as chief exec.
As the CCC’s chief, Pinchbeck will oversee the publication of the committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget advice in early 2025 and the fourth independent Climate Change Risk Assessment in 2026. The former will outline the carbon emission limit for the period of 2038-2042, and the latter will advise on how to respond to the climate risks faced in the UK.
“The committee serves a rare role – it both advises the government of the day and holds it to account against the targets it has committed to,” Pinchbeck said. “My predecessors have navigated that path incredibly well, and I look forward to doing the same.”
Pinchbeck also delivered a warning. “We are behind on our national targets, and time is running out to catch up with delivery,” she said. “I take the opportunity to influence the UK’s progress on reducing emissions incredibly seriously, and to support government make this transition in the way that most benefits people and the economy. You can expect the CCC to have much to say about this going forward.”
Pinchbeck became Energy UK’s chief executive in January 2020. Other roles she has held include deputy chief of the trade body RenewableUK and head of climate change and energy at WWF-UK, a role in which she worked on the international Paris Agreement, UK coal phase-out, international aviation and shipping, and the design of UK renewables policy.
Net zero and energy security secretary Ed Miliband, said Pinchbeck is joining at a "pivotal point", as the UK comes up to the halfway point in "the decisive decade to halt climate change" and is "well placed to advise and challenge the government".
“Emma’s extensive experience brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by industry, underscoring how the economics of clean energy are now aligned with climate policy, driving both environmental protection and economic growth," he said.
“I look forward to working closely with Emma and the Climate Change Committee to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of tackling climate change.”
Following Labour's election victory, the watchdog urged the government to undo the “damage” to net-zero progress from Rishi Sunak’s policy reversals. It warned that “rapid progress” is now needed to “make up lost ground”.