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As an independent body set up to advise the UK government on carbon budgets, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is responsible for advising Government on setting climate change targets and reducing emissions to meet these. The CCC takes this responsibility just as seriously when looking at its own practices.  

Action is being taken to manage down carbon emissions in all aspects of the Committee’s business, from travel to waste to procurement, and the Committee has just offset all unavoidable emissions using Carbon Retirement, which means they can be 100% certain that the reductions they are paying for will happen, and happen here in Europe.

David Kennedy, Chief Executive of the CCC, said, “Adopting sustainable business practices and reducing our carbon emissions is central to the way we work.  Key components of our sustainability strategy are accurately monitoring, reducing and offsetting our carbon emissions to ensure we comply with the Government's definition of carbon neutrality.  Our main priority is to reduce our business emissions as much as we possibly can, but as well as this, we were keen to offset our unavoidable emissions.”

The CCC worked hard to refurbish their new leased office sustainably, including using sustainable paints, installing sensors for lights, using only 100% FSC certified recycled wood and installing the most energy efficient appliances possible.  As part of their sustainability strategy (included in their annual report), the CCC has also established a travel policy advocating only economy class travel and use of public transport wherever possible. Teleconferences and videoconferences are also used where possible instead of face to face meetings.

With regard to their wider work, the CCC is providing advice to Government about the Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme and the level of the second phase cap. This report will be published on Friday 24th September. To find out the latest news from the CCC visit their website.