Four articles wrapping up the last Parliament – Bruce Horton 

1. Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Committee House of Commons The environment and climate change have had a low profile in the run-up to the general election. However, BEIS Secretary of State Greg Clarke has told MPs that leaving the EU’s internal energy market would be a ‘bad thing’. Climate change minister Nick Hurd told the same committee that the work on the government’s emission reduction plan is stuck in a “holding pattern”.
2. Carbon budgets – Committee on Climate change The Committee on Climate Change has reported on how the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions are quantified, where uncertainties lie, and the implications for setting carbon budgets and measuring progress against climate change targets. It says that the current method is robust and rigorous, but the process for identifying improvements could be strengthened and more independent monitoring, including of consumption-based emissions, should be encouraged.
3. Climate change Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP) – ‘needs stricter rules’ CCC   A review of the second round of the Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP) by the Committee on Climate Change says that future adaptation reporting needs ‘stricter rules’. These should include mandatory participation, two-year progress updates and standardised reporting methods. It also suggests that Defra should consider widening the scope of ARP reporting to encourage those sectors that have yet to report to provide evidence of their approach to climate change risk management.
4. The Energy Transitions Commission A coalition of investors, companies and NGOs says halving global emissions by 2040 is achievable if businesses act now. The Energy Transitions Commission argues that is technically and economically feasible to grow economies, provide affordable, reliable clean energy and achieve Paris Agreement objectives. Key measures needed include clean electrification, decarbonisation of power generation and optimisation of remaining fossil fuel use.