Five House of Lords committees have banded together to mount a joint inquiry into the actions the government is taking to tackle climate change and its preparations for the COP26 summit later this year.
International carbon markets will be one of the issues under the microscope during the inquiry, which will also hear from soon to step down Bank of England governor Mark Carney in his new capacity as green finance ambassador.
The inquiry will culminate on 25 March when members from the five committees will conduct a joint grilling of Alok Sharma, secretary of state for business and energy and president of COP26.
The UK’s bid to host the annual UN global climate change summit got off to a bumpy start in January when Claire O’Neill was sacked from her role as COP president. The former energy minister was replaced by Sharma in last month’s cabinet reshuffle.
The carbon markets evidence session will be conducted by the EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee.
Speaking ahead of evidence sessions, Lord Teverson, the sub-committee’s chair, said: “Climate change is an emergency. The repeated serious flooding here in the UK is just one of the many ways global warming is already taking its toll. That’s why five House of Lords committees have uniquely come together to examine this emergency.
“These sessions will shed light on a number of those diverse climate change challenges that now confront us. Our follow up will be pressing ministers on how the government intends to move forward. With COP26 only months away, clear and focused responses from minsters will be essential.”
Also taking part in the inquiry are the EU Internal Market, the EU External Affairs, EU Financial Affairs and EU Home Affairs sub-committees.
The inquiry’s announcement follows yesterday’s first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change.