Note to the Energy and Climate Change Committee from the Committee on Climate Change

The Committee has set out analysis of the path to meeting the UK’s legislated 2050 target to reduce emissions by 80% relative to 1990. This includes a very important role for early decarbonisation of the power sector and extension of low carbon power to other sectors. In order therefore that the 2050 target is achieved, the decisions of the IPC should be consistent with the need for early power sector decarbonisation.

Whilst the key lever in driving low carbon investment will in our view be development of new market arrangements, it will be important that investment decision under these arrangements are closely monitored.

At the request of the Government, the Committee would be well placed to advise periodically on consistency of decisions with the required path for power sector decarbonisation. This would relate very closely to our ongoing work assessing progress reducing emissions on the basis of leading indicators including planning decisions for major infrastructure projects.

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