Committees

Net zero - Climate Change Committee chairman Lord Deben to be questioned by HCLG Committee

10 September 2021

The Housing Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee will hold two evidence sessions next week, on Monday, 13 September and Wednesday, 15 September, as part of its inquiry into local government and the path to net zero.

Purpose of the session

On Monday afternoon, the HCLG Committee will question experts and local government representatives on the role of councils in meeting the UK’s net zero target. In particular, witnesses will be asked whether councils need more powers, funding and direction from central Government to take the necessary action on climate change, especially in the areas of transport, planning and energy.  

On Wednesday, the Committee will also take oral evidence from Lord Deben, Chairman of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the Government’s independent climate change advisory body. The focus of this session will be the findings of the CCC’s recent report, Local Authorities and the Sixth Carbon Budget. 

As part of the same inquiry, the HCLG Committee has already taken evidence on the Government’s plans to make new homes “zero carbon ready” by 2025, through the introduction of new building regulations, planning guidelines and energy efficiency standards, and on the role of local government in decarbonising the existing housing stock. 

Witnesses 

Monday 13 September 

At 4pm 

  • Xavier Brice, CEO, Sustrans 
  • Professor Janette Webb, University of Edinburgh, EnergyREV (Energy Revolution Research Consortium)
  • Richard Blyth, Head of Policy Practice and Research, Royal Town Planning Institute

At 5pm  

  • Cllr Peter Schwier, Climate Czar, Essex County Council
  • Nick Hibberd, Executive Director, Economy, Environment and Culture, Brighton & Hove City Council
  • Cllr Sarah Rouse, Enhancing Quality of Life Board Member, District Councils Network

Wednesday 15 September 

At 10am 

  • The Rt Hon. Lord Deben, Chairman, Climate Change Committee

Further information

Image: ccc