The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is preparing to set out advice to ministers on ensuring that rebuilding efforts after the CV-19 crisis support a ‘just transition’ towards Net Zero emissions and strengthen the UK’s preparedness for climate change.

It will write to ministers with advice and will refocus its annual Progress Report to Parliament, due in June, to include advice on supporting a resilient recovery alongside its statutory assessment of the UK’s progress in reducing emissions.

The plans came in changes to the CCC’s 2020 work programme to respond to the global Covid-19 pandemic announced by chief executive Chris Stark.

The CCC plans to publish its ‘advice to government’ on the level of the Sixth Carbon Budget (2033-2037) in December, instead of September. “This provides additional time to complete the analysis and reflect on the impacts of the crisis,” it said.

The Third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment evidence report, which the CCC’s Adaptation Committee will deliver to government next year, is still scheduled for publication in summer 2021, but this date will be kept under review.

Chris Stark, said: “Responding to the pandemic is, rightly, the immediate priority for everyone. Eventually, thoughts will turn to the need to rebuild after coronavirus – the climate priorities can help shape these efforts. The Committee will offer advice to government on constructing a resilient recovery. Coronavirus is teaching us all the value of prudent planning for global shocks.”