Latest news with #NigelTopping
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Preferred candidate for chairman of Climate Change Committee announced
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has announced Nigel Topping as the Government's preferred candidate for chairman of the Climate Change Committee (CCC). The chairman plays a key role in the committee's work of advising ministers on climate targets and reporting to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive all agreed on Mr Topping as the preferred candidate for the CCC role, Mr Miliband said on Friday. Before any formal appointment, Mr Topping will be questioned by MPs on the energy and environmental audit select committees on July 16. Mr Topping is currently a member of the Climate Change Committee and previously held the position of the UK's high-level climate action champion. Following an 18-year private sector career in emerging markets and manufacturing, he worked as executive director of the Carbon Disclosure Project and chief executive of the We Mean Business Coalition. If approved, Mr Topping will replace interim chairman Piers Forster, a leading climate scientist who succeeded former environment secretary Lord Deben in the role in 2023. Mr Miliband said: 'I am delighted to announce the preferred candidate for chair of the Climate Change Committee – Nigel Topping will bring his extensive experience to this role, having already served on the Climate Change Committee for more than two years and as a UN Climate Change High Level Champion for Cop26. 'The CCC plays a vital role advising the UK and devolved governments on our climate targets and this announcement comes at a crucial time, as we deliver our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower with good jobs, energy security and growth for the British people. 'Net zero is the economic opportunity of the 21st century and Nigel's strong business background will help us drive growth on the transition to net zero, unlocking opportunities for Britain. 'I look forward to progressing the appointment in the coming weeks along with ministers in the devolved governments.'
Evening Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Evening Standard
Preferred candidate for chairman of Climate Change Committee announced
Mr Miliband said: 'I am delighted to announce the preferred candidate for chair of the Climate Change Committee – Nigel Topping will bring his extensive experience to this role, having already served on the Climate Change Committee for more than two years and as a UN Climate Change High Level Champion for Cop26.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ed Miliband adviser who backed levy on frequent fliers racked up 40,000 air miles in a year by travelling to 'environmental' conferences
One of the Government's climate advisers has been accused of 'rank hypocrisy' after they racked up 40,000 air miles in a year by jetting to environmental conferences. Nigel Topping is one of six members of the Climate Change Committee, which advises Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In February, the committee backed a 'frequent flier levy' to help reach Net Zero. This would see Britons who take the most flights, or fly the furthest distances, taxed more. According to The Telegraph, Mr Topping attended conferences in Barbados, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the Netherlands and the US in the last 12 months. An analysis by the newspaper showed he accrued 11 times more air miles in the last year than the average Briton. It also found that Mr Topping's carbon footprint from flights alone was about 40 per cent more than the average Briton produces in total in a year. Mr Miliband himself was recently criticised after it was revealed he had notched up at least 44,600 air miles since he became Energy Secretary last July. It meant he was responsible for at least 54.2 tons of carbon emissions in nine months – more than 12 times the annual emissions of the average Briton. Mr Topping was revealed to have attended the International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference in December in Abu Dhabi. This was held at the five-star Bab al-Qasr hotel, which boasts a private beach, infinity pool and chauffeur service. The climate adviser was also said to have attended the UN's desertification conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earlier the same month. Mr Topping, who was the UK's high-level climate action champion for the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021, attended the Sustainable Energy For All Global Forum in Barbados last month. Tory MP Andrew Bowie, the shadow energy secretary, said: 'This is rank hypocrisy. 'Once again we see those preaching this Mr Miliband-driven Net Zero zealotry are all too happy to impose significant burdens on others, but won't practise what they preach. 'It's one rule for them and another for everyone else. Kemi Badenoch and I have been clear that Net Zero by 2050 would involve significant cost to the country and to the consumer and it is simply not sustainable. 'It is a shame this Labour Government is still not prepared to do the same.' The Climate Change Committee did not comment as Mr Topping's travel was not part of his work as a committee member.
