Emma Pinchbeck will join the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) as Chief Executive on 11 November. The CCC, an independent statutory body established under the Climate Change Act 2008, provides expert advice on climate policy to the UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
In her new role, Pinchbeck will oversee key initiatives, including the publication of the Seventh Carbon Budget advice in early 2025, which will set carbon emission limits for 2038-2042, and the fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment in 2026, outlining strategies to address climate risks in the UK.
Pinchbeck is widely respected for her work in decarbonising the UK energy sector, having served as CEO of Energy UK. Her expertise in policy debate and technical analysis has helped shape the UK’s energy transition, and her objective approach has built strong relationships across the climate and energy sectors.
She will work alongside Professor Piers Forster, interim Chair of the CCC, and Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, in her new role.
Professor Piers Forster said, “The Committee is incredibly excited for Emma to join as Chief Executive later this year. We’ve got important advice to give that needs to focus minds and accelerate delivery. Emma is the ideal person to help us do this, complementing the brilliant collection of analytical experts we already have on staff.”
Forster added, “Climate action needs to speed up across the economy. Emma’s knowledge of the transition within the energy sector and her experience of working with the private sector will help us analyse the success of the Government’s plans to decarbonise the power system. This is needed to underline the roll out of EVs, heat pumps, and industrial decarbonisation at the pace we need them.”
Baroness Brown said, “Emma’s critical infrastructure sector and industry experience will help us in the development our work on adaptation, and what it means for the country to adjust to a warming world. I’m personally pleased to welcome Emma as the first female Chief Executive of the CCC. The organisation has always been a champion for women working in analysis and economics, and it’s fantastic to see that reflected in the most senior role on the Secretariat.”
Secretary of State for the Department for Net Zero and Energy Security, Ed Miliband said, “We are almost halfway through the decisive decade to halt climate change. Emma is joining the Climate Change Committee at a pivotal point, and following her leadership at Energy UK, is well placed to advise and challenge government on our net zero goals – ensuring we meet our climate commitments with ambition and urgency. I look forward to working closely with Emma and the Climate Change Committee to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of tackling climate change.”
About her new role Emma Pinchbeck said, “I’m delighted to be joining the team as the Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee. The Committee serves a rare role – it both advises the Government of the day and holds it to account against the targets it has committed to. My predecessors have navigated that path incredibly well, and I look forward to doing the same.”
She added, “I take the opportunity to influence the UK’s progress on reducing emissions incredibly seriously and to support the Government make this transition in the way that most benefits people and the economy. You can expect the CCC to have much to say about this going forward.”
