The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is an independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act 2008. Based in the United Kingdom, the CCC advises the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and reports to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Its work ensures that climate progress assessments and policy advice are evidence-based, independently assessed, and long-term in outlook. CCC recommendations are regularly referenced in the UK Parliament and devolved assemblies, and serve as an authoritative source of information for business and industry, academia, and the media.

The CCC’s mandate spans two principal areas: mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change). The Committee advises on carbon budgets — five-year caps on UK greenhouse gas emissions that act as interim targets towards the country’s legally binding Net Zero 2050 goal — and on long-term emissions targets. It also produces independent assessments of UK climate risks every five years and issues statutory progress reports on both emissions reductions and climate adaptation. In addition, ministers may request CCC advice on specific climate policy issues and topics.

The CCC comprises two committees: the main Climate Change Committee, whose members are appointed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Adaptation Committee, whose members are appointed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The CCC is chaired by Nigel Topping CMG, and the Adaptation Committee is chaired by Baroness Brown DBE FREng FRS. Members are drawn from leading experts in climate science, energy systems, economics, environmental policy, and public health. The organisation operates as an independent non-departmental public body, ensuring its assessments and recommendations remain free from direct governmental influence.

The CCC’s core statutory outputs include: annual progress reports to Parliament on reducing emissions (net zero progress); biennial progress reports on climate adaptation; advice on five-year carbon budgets; and independent Climate Change Risk Assessments (CCRA) produced every five years to inform government adaptation programmes. The Committee also publishes supporting research, letters, and regional reports for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. All conclusions, analysis, and underlying data are made publicly available through the CCC’s website.