Naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough will address the first UK-wide citizens’ assembly on climate change tomorrow (Saturday 25th January) in Birmingham to thank the 110 members of the public for taking part
The assembly members will give up four weekends between January and March 2020 to discuss questions around how the UK meet the Government’s legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
I am grateful to the 110 people from all corners of the United Kingdom who are giving up their weekends to take part in this very important discussion of how we in the UK reach our net zero emissions target. These people have been picked to represent our population as a whole, they come from all walks of life, and together they will deliberate carefully on behalf of us all. We should listen closely to their recommendations.
In addition to Sir David’s involvement during the first weekend, over 20 prominent business, faith and civil society leaders from across the UK have engaged in Climate Assembly UK and have released comments.
Sir David’s speech at the assembly is separate to the talks on how to reach net zero the assembly members will hear from experts and stakeholders. Sir David is speaking to assembly members to express gratitude to them for giving their time to take part and give his reflections on climate change. However, he will not give any view on how the UK should get to net zero.
Assembly members, selected to represent the UK’s population, have agreed to commit a significant amount of time and energy to hear expert evidence and deliberate on a wide range of topics such as transport, energy use in the home, agriculture and consumer choices. There will be a report to Parliament in April 2020. The Assembly was commissioned by six parliamentary committees to give Parliament and Government an understanding of the public’s views on how the UK should reach net zero emissions by 2050. The committees will be able to use the report to continue the dialogue and make recommendations to Government.