Inside the Climate Watchdog Holding the UK Government to Account

When the UK’s Climate Change Committee was formed in 2008, it augured the country’s reputation as a climate trendsetter — signaling seriousness about climate goals while also giving other nations a template for their own policies. More recently, though, the UK’s era of climate consensus seems to be shifting. Anticipating an election, the government has been backpedaling on green policies. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak approved new oil and gas licenses and pushed back the start date for a ban on fossil fuel cars.

In January, CCC Chief Executive Chris Stark said he would be stepping down after six years on the job. But Stark remains crystal clear about what the UK stands to lose if it doesn’t stick with its climate commitments. “Other countries will beat us at this if we don't get at it,” Stark told Zero host Akshat Rathi on this week’s episode. “We cannot seem to see that it's happening. The transition is underway, and the biggest risk to us is that we miss out.”