PCF Event Summary from Thursday 26 November 2020

The Government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 will require a transformation of great magnitude. How can arm’s length body (ALB) chairs help to lead a greener future, whilst ensuring that we continue to deliver our public services efficiently and effectively?

Key Points

Whilst priorities for Government and public bodies are rightly focused on managing the global pandemic, it is important that we continue to remember that this is not the only ever-present risk. The effects of climate change will be as strongly felt.

It is welcome that the government recognises this by launching a number of policy initiatives. The recent 10-point plan are a high priority for this government, and public bodies will be expected to lead the way.

There is no aspect of climate change that can be dealt with by a single actor. Networking and cross-government collaboration is crucial.

There is significant debate around whether we have an over-reliance on techno-optimism i.e. that technology will deliver success rather than difficult human decisions. There will be tough conversations with the public in a very wide range of policy areas, with examples ranging from how we heat homes to how we patrol clean air zones.

People are accounting for both value-chain and geographic net zero interchangeably. How we measure carbon emissions will impact on how we measure progress.

Following this point, ‘sincerity’ in reporting our energy use will be increasingly demanded of organisations to ensure the public are not mislead on progress.

We must consider the cause and effect of activity we perceive as positive, for example factoring in the carbon footprint of creating electric cars.

Whilst aiming to achieve net zero, we must also prepare for and be resilient in the face of climate shocks as we adapt to changes in the climate already locked in, flooding in the UK being an obvious example.

Actions

This is an area where many PCF members have a passion for supporting the Government’s ambition to achieve net zero, both through their ALBs and more generally. Members also noted that the private sector is likely to be ahead of public sector organisations in their thinking and action towards achieving net zero.

Joined-up working is crucial, across public bodies and departments, and will need Ministerial commitment across all portfolios. A number of PCF members indicated their willingness to share their organisations’ plans and strategies in this area.

During this event we discussed the three groups of ‘Scopes’ that contribute to our carbon emissions as set out by the Carbon Trust. The Carbon Trust has set out frameworks for developing net zero strategies and plans, with initial details on their webpages. 

Members agreed a follow up event would be useful, in particular one where we specifically discuss ALBs plans and strategies for achieving net zero.

Thank you to our members for their contributions, as well as our excellent speaker panel made up of: Lord Callanan, Minister for Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility; Lord Browne of Ladyton, Labour peer on the Lords’ Risk and Science Committees; Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency and Tom Delay CBE, CEO, The Carbon Trust.