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Climate Assembly UK report published with Prof Jim Watson as an expert lead
1 October 2020
The UK citizens assembly on climate change final report has been published with contributions from Professor Jim Watson.
The first UK-wide citizens assembly on climate change has published its final report outlining a plan for how the UK can reach its target of net zero emissions by 2050.
Some of the recurring themes of the report include:
- improved information and education for all on climate change;
- fairness, including across sectors, geographies, incomes and health;
- freedom and choice for individuals and local areas;
- and strong leadership from government.
In the foreword written by the expert leads including Professor Watson they said:
“This report provides vital new intelligence
about the views of the UK public on the way
forward. We strongly encourage decisionmakers in government, industry and other
organisations to read it in detail – and to
take these views into account. This report provides vital new intelligence about the views of the UK public on the way forward. We strongly encourage decisionmakers in government, industry and other organisations to read it in detail – and to take these views into account."[1]
The arrival of COVID-19 added a considerable item to the assembly's agenda. A large majority of the assembly members agreed that the government should plan the economic recovery from COVID-19 to help achieve net zero. This was coupled with a general new sense of opportunity for change with some lifestyle changes already being felt across the nation (the way we travel). However, it was also noted that the economic impacts of the pandemic may make reaching net zero emissions by 2050 even more difficult.