Home >  All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group (APPCCG)

All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group (APPCCG)

The Group has attracted unprecedented interest - over 100 MPs from all the three main political parties along with businesses from across all major sectors. Working closely with Colin Challen MP, The CarbonNeutral Company helped to set up the Group and will now act as the secretariat.

The Group’s aim is to deliver material and meaningful progress on climate change by creating an arena in which interested and relevant parties are able to discuss and formulate policy options and encourage the application of those that offer greatest promise.

To download an outline of the Group’s aims please click here.

The Group will work closely with businesses in order to develop policy options that will work to more fully integrate government and business in tackling climate change and associate memberships are currently available for interested businesses, NGO and other relevant organisations.

If your organisation or company is interested in joining the Group as an associate member please download a membership form by   clicking here.

Browse our site for further information on  climate change and  carbon offsetting.

"The All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group is a forum for informal debate and discussion. The group's meetings are held in Parliament although it is not a select or audit committee. It has no formal role in the legislative process and as such receives no support from the government and must meet its own administrative and running costs.

The CarbonNeutral Company agreed early on to provide administrative and office support, this is welcomed because it has enabled the group to function more efficiently."

- Colin Challen MP, Chair, All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group

All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group Activities

NOTICES

  2nd Inquiry: ‘Setting greenhouse gas reduction targets: the road from A to B'

At a national, regional, and global level policies are being proposed with the goal of brining greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere down to a safe and sustainable level.  The APPCCG’s second inquiry sets out with the intention of producing a clear and precise pathway for a UK CO2 reduction by 2050.

The group is currently calling for evidence.  For more information  click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PAST EVENTS

Wednesday 2^nd July, 11 am – 1 pm.  Committee Room 15, House of Commons
APPCCG Meeting with Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change
Lord Turner spoke about the economic aspects of addressing climate change and about the work of the new Committee on Climate Change.  A lively discussion session followed, covering the challenges the Committee on Climate Change will face and practical solutions for cutting emissions from sources such as international aviation and shipping.

Tuesday 24^th June, 2.30 – 4.30 pm.  Jubilee Room, House of Commons
Annual General Meeting of the APPCCG
The APPCCG reviewed a successful year of initiatives and events and discussed goals for the next year.  The officers of the APPCCG were officially re-elected.

Wednesday 18^th June, 2 – 3 pm.  Committee Room 8, House of Commons
APPCCG Meeting with Matthias Machnig, State Secretary for the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
In conjunction with the German Embassy in the UK
Mr. Machnig launched the Climate Change Partnership between the APPCCG and the German Embassy in the UKby speaking about German innovations in ecological industrial policy and ways in which the British and German governments can work together to address climate change issues, particularly within the new International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).  A lively discussion session followed, focusing on the lessons policymakers in the UKcan learn from German renewable energy legislation.

Tuesday 29th April, 2 - 4pm.  Committee Room 14, House of Commons.
APPCCG Meeting with the Aldersgate Group
Prominent members of the Aldersgate Group – including Sir John Harman of the Environment Agency, Paul Dickenson of the Carbon Disclosure Project, Abyd Karmali of Merrill Lynch, and Dr Chris Tuppen of BT – spoke to the APPCCG on the importance of credible and comparable carbon accounting and reporting practices for UK businesses to give them a competitive edge in the new carbon-constrained market.  The speakers drew practical lessons from their own experiences of carbon reporting and stressed the importance of establishing a single global standard for carbon accounting.

Monday 28th April, 2 - 3pm.  Committee Room 8, House of Commons.
APPCCG Meeting with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP
In conjunction with the APPG for Debt, Aid and Trade
The APPCCG held a meeting, in conjunction with the APPG for Debt, Aid and Trade, with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP. The Secretary of State discussed the interaction between climate change and development issues, and emphasised the need to include developing countries fully in the fight against climate change.

Tuesday, 22nd April, 3 - 4 pm.  Committee Room 6, House of Commons.
APPCCG Meeting with Dr. Hermann Scheer
In conjunction with PRASEG and the German Embassy in the UK
The APPCCG held a meeting with Dr. Hermann Scheer, who spoke about his experiences spearheading groundbreaking renewable energy policies in Germany and internationally, and discussed the true, undervalued potential of renewable energy.  Dr. Scheer is the founder of the non-profit European Renewable Energy Association (EUROSOLAR) and the World Council for Renewable Energy and a Member of the German Bundestag, as well as the recipient of an Alternative Nobel Prize.

For more information about wind power in Germany and the UK, please see the Anglo-German Foundation's report, "Wind Power in Britain and Germany: Explaining Contrasting Development Paths".

Visit to BASF Low Energy House
18th March and 9th April, University of Nottingham
APPCCG members were invited to visit the BASF Low Energy House, at the University of Nottingham.  The Low Energy House is part of the Creative Energy Homes Project at Nottingham University’s School of the Built Environment, which focuses on designing and building energy efficient and affordable homes.

 Wednesday 5th March, 3-5pm. Committee Room 10, House of Commons.
APPCCG Meeting with Professor Lester Brown.
Professor Lester Brown, Founder and President of the Earth Policy Institute, spoke to the APPCCG on the themes of his latest work: ‘Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization.’ Plan B 3.0 focuses on solutions for stabilizing the climate, stabilizing the population, eradicating poverty and restoring the world’s damaged ecosystems. Professor Brown has been named as one of the worlds’ most influential thinkers.

Wednesday 27th February, 3-5pm. Committee Room 11
APPCCG Meeting on the Use of Innovative Media Techniques to Raise Awareness about Climate Change
The APPCCG held a meeting on the use of innovative media techniques. This event focussed on the challenges faced by the media, regarding the depiction of climate change issues, what innovative techniques are being implemented to raise greater awareness about climate change and what methods should be put into practice, in future. Speakers included: James Alexander and Naresh Ramchandani, Green Thing. Paul Gilham, Act on CO2, Defra campaign. Simon Retallack, ippr.

Tuesday 19th November, 3-5pm, Committee Room 6
APPCCG Meeting on REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation), in conjunction with ODI (Overseas Development Institute) and (GCP) Global Canopy Programme.
The APPCCG held a meeting on REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation), in conjunction with ODI and GCP. This event focussed on the progress made on REDD at the recent Bali COP, key questions in the development of REDD over the next 2 years and how challenges relating to the implementation of REDD projects and policies can be resolved. Speakers will include Kevin Conrad, Papua New Guinea, John Lanchberry, RSPB and Jim Penman, Defra.

‘Winter Season: Communicating Climate Change’ Events
January-March 2008
The Environment Council and COIN
212 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BF
APPCCG Parliamentary and Associate members have been invited to attend the ‘Winter Season: Communicating Climate Change’ events, being organized by The Environment Council and COIN (Climate Outreach and Information Network). These events are focused on dynamic discussion and training for building confidence in communicating climate change issues, both professionally and to family and friends. For further information and to register, please visit http://www.the-environment-council.org.uk/winter-season-communicating-climate-change.html

Thursday 24th January 2008, The Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, London
Westminster Carbon Counting Conference
Associate and Parliamentary members of the APPCCG were invited to the inaugural Westminster Carbon Counting Conference. The Westminster Carbon Counting Conference was supported by the APPCCG, the Open University and RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). This innovative event focused on the methodologies behind carbon counting. Speakers included Dr David Vincent from The Carbon Trust, Phil Woolas MP, Minister for the Environment and Ted King DCLG. The Westminster Carbon Counting Conference will become an annual event, with colloquia held through out the year, for more information please visit http://www.carboncounting.org.uk/

5th December. 7-8.30pm. Grand Committee Room, House of Commons
APPCCG Meeting, in conjunction with the APPGOPO
‘Peak Oil and Climate Change: Twin Crises?’
This meeting was organised by the APPCCG and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Peak Oil and Gas (APPGOPO). This meeting focussed on the interaction between oil depletion issues and climate change issues and whether a combined solution can be developed. Speakers included: Martyn Williams from Friends of the Earth. Jeremy Leggett, author of ‘Half Gone’ and CEO of Solar Century and Chris Vernon, from the Oil Drum, Europe.

29th November.11-12pm. Room 6. House of Commons.
APPCCG Meeting on the Bali COP. (Conference of the Parties).
Phil Woolas MP, Minister for the Environment, spoke to the APPCCG about the UK Government aims for the forthcoming Bali COP and the UK Government’s vision for the post Kyoto Protocol landscape. The Minister gave a very interesting and insightful speech on the mechanics of the international process and emphasized the need for positive and pragmatic attitudes regarding the Bali COP. The audience responded with constructive questions, which included queries on the role of offsetting, carbon capture and storage and establishing reduction techniques, in future international frameworks.

27th November. 2-3pm. Room 6. House of Commons.
APPCCG Meeting on Real-Time Electricity Monitors
The APPCCG hosted a meeting on real-time electricity monitors. Speakers included Keith Berry, Managing Director, OWL and Dave Hampton, the world’s first Carbon Coach. This meeting demonstrated that real-time energy display monitors can enact behavioural changes immediately, because they demonstrate in “real-time” the amount of energy and money,that is so carelessly wasted. This meeting was followed by a lively question and answer session, with competing ‘real-time’ providers, in the audience, instigating a lively debate.

(From right to left: Colin Challen, MP, with Joan Ruddock MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State: Climate Change, Biodiversity and Waste, Gareth Llewellyn, National Grid and Keith Allot, WWF)

13th November. 4-6pm. Room 6. House of Commons
APPCCG Meeting, in conjunction with WWF, on the Climate Change Bill.
The APPCCG held a meeting on the forthcoming Climate Change Bill, in conjunction with the WWF. This meeting was an excellent  opportunity to reflect on the ramifications of the forthcoming Climate Change Bill. Speakers focused on a variety issues, including how the UK will achieve the targets embedded within the Climate Change Bill, whether the 60 percent carbon reduction by 2050 is insufficient and whether international aviation and shipping emissions should be included.  The APPCCG was delighted to welcome Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defra, Joan Ruddock MP, Dr Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change, at WWF and Gareth Llewellyn, Group Corporate Responsibility Director at National Grid. The presentations were followed by a lively question and answer session.

24th October. 4-7pm. The Gherkin
‘Sharing the Vision: Europe’s Climate Change Strategy: Facilitating the Next Wave of Green Technology’ Conference.
APPCCG members were invited to the ‘Sharing the Vision: Europe’s Climate Change Strategy: Facilitating the Next Wave of Green Technology’ conference, organized by the German Embassy and the Corporation of the City of London. The key note speaker was Prof. Friede Meyer-Krahmer, State Secretary for the Federal Ministry for Education and Research, in Germany . A panel of highly respected business leaders led a vibrant discussion, tackling the thorny issue of ‘How can we support a high-tech revolution in order to achieve Europe’s goals of combating climate change?’. The conclusions focused on bilateral cooperation and education strategies. The panel engaged in an interesting question and answer with a distinguished audience. The event was followed by a networking session.

16th October. 1-3pm. House of Commons. Committee Room 11.
APPCCG Meeting on Carbon Trading Policies.
The APPCCG meeting on Carbon Trading Policies was an excellent start to the autumn session. Tim Yeo MP, Chairman of the EAC (Environmental Audit Committee) focussed on the EU ETS (European Union Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme), offsets and the introduction of a tradable personal carbon allowance,  as the most robust method of reducing per capita emissions. Gareth Phillips, Chief Climate Change Officer at Sindicatum Carbon Capital Limited, Member of EIC’s (Environmental Industries Commission) Carbon Trading Working Group, concentrated on carbon offsetting mechanisms and gave useful clarification on the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) process. The excellent presentations provoked an interesting and thought provoking question and answer session.

11th October.12-3pm. Attlee Suite. Portcullis House.
The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Reception for the second 100 Days of Carbon Clear Up campaign, in conjunction with the APPCCG.
The reception for the second CIBSE 100 days of Carbon Clear Up campaign celebrated the achievements of the first campaign and initiated the second campaign. The 100 Days of Carbon Clear Up  campaigns prove that the reduction of carbon emissions from buildings is extremely feasible, simple to implement and cost effective. The thought provoking presentations, by John Armstrong, President of CIBSE, Colin Challen MP, Brian Spires of HLM Architects, Trevor Floyd, a low carbon consultant, and Karen Germain, Networks Manager from The Carbon Trust, were followed by a vibrant networking lunch. 

18th July, 1-3pm, Jubilee Room, House of Commons
Presentation of zerocarbonbritain by the Centre for Alternative Technology, in conjunction with the APPCCG.
The Centre for Alternative Technology gave a fascinating presentation on the mechanics of the zerocarbonbritain policy, which was launched at the AGM of the APPCCG. zerocarbonbritain is a radical yet achievable strategy, which provides a blueprint for achieving a zero carbon Britain within two decades. zerocarbonbritain proves it is scientifically and technically possible, the focus must now turn to generating political will. The presentation was followed by a dynamic networking lunch.

17th July, 3-5 pm, Grand Committee Room, House of Commons
Joint Presentation to the APPCCG by the Met Office and the Environment Agency on Flooding.
Dr Dave Griggs, Director of Government Business at the Met Office and Baroness Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, gave interesting and insightful presentations, to the APPCCG, on the current and longer term issues surrounding flooding. Dr Griggs focused on future predictions for average and extreme weather conditions and the causes of these weather patterns. Baroness Young discussed current protection levels and future strategies for flood prevention and mitigation. The presentations were followed by a thought provoking question and answer session.

10th July, 12-3pm, Attlee Suite, Portcullis House
Annual General Meeting
The APPCCG met for their second AGM . Formalities including the reelection of officers and the reelection of the Secretariat were concluded.  The Centre for Alternative Technology launched their new policy zerocarbonbritain, which lays out radical yet achievable new strategies to attain carbon neutrality in the UK, within two decades. The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session and a networking lunch.

7th June, 10.30-12.00pm, Committee Room 15, House of Commons
HBF & NHBC: ‘Zero Carbon Homes – how can we meet housing needs and protect the environment?’
Chairman of the Home Builders Federation, Stewart Basely, and Chairman of the National House Building Council, Imtiaz Farookhi, led a meeting on how the house-building industry is going to meet the 2016 zero-carbon homes target; the challenges they face; and the changes that need to take place to allow them to meet the target.  They were keen to stress that if the target is to be successfully met then there will need to be constant process of consultation between government, the industry and the consumer.

6th June, 2-4pm, Committee Room 18, House of Commons
APPCCG Climate Science Session; 'Feedback Dynamics and the Acceleration of Climate Change'
Building on the foundation of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the meetings the APPCCG held with the Hadley Centre earlier in the year, this session took a more in-depth look at some of the science underlying the global warming process.  The presenatation revealed new advances in the scientific analysis of climate dynamics which imply that the need for action is even more urgent that previously thought.

15th May, 4.30-6.00pm, Committee Room 14, House of Commons
Aldersgate Group’s Launch of ‘Carbon Costs: Corporate Carbon Accounting and Reporting’
The Aldersgate Group will launch it’s report on corporate carbon accounting and reporting. Speaking at the event will be Sir John Harman, Chairman of the Environment Agency; Nick Robins, Head of Socially Responsible Investment at Henderson Global Investors; and Simon Thomas, Chief Executive of Trucost.

8th May, 5-6.30pm, Committee Room 12, House of Commons
Carbon Trust Briefing Session: ‘Low Carbon Supply Chains: Perspectives from the Carbon Trust and Industry’
A briefing from the Carbon Trust on their research into greening supply chains, including their pioneering work on carbon labelling. Speakers at the event will include: Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, Andrew Jenkins, Sustainable Development Manager at Alliance Boots Group Plc and Barney Burgess, Development Director at Tesco (TBC).

24th April, 5.45-700pm, Attlee Suite, Portcullis House
The Environment Council/APPCCG Reception on the Climate Change Bill
The group heard from Colin Challen MP, Greg Baker MP, Conservative Shadow Environment Secretary, and Chris Huhne MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Secretary, on the Climate Change Bill.  Speeches were followed by a drinks and nibbles networking opportunity.  (Photo courtesy of The Environment Council).

23rd April, 4.30-6.pm, Committee Room 12, House of Commons
LCCS Briefing Session
London Climate Change Services will update the group on London’s status as the leading global centre for climate change services and finance, and discuss how the UK can maintain and capitalise on this.

16th April, 11-1pm, Committee Room 9, House of Commons
Hadley Centre Briefing on the IPCC Working Group Reports
Briefing from those at the heart of the reports’ production; The Met Office’s Chief Scientist discussed the reports seen by many as the final proof of the extent of anthropogenically-induced dangerous climate change.

29th March, 10-11.30am, Committee Room 11, House of Commons
Tachi Kiuchi, 'Business and Government Responses to Climate Change in Japan'
Tachi Kiuchi, Chair of the Future 500 group of sustainable companies, GRI Forum Japan and pioneer of the Living Systems business approach, spoke to the group about the role business can play in tackling climate change, and gave a thorough account of climate change policy in Japan.

13th March, 4pm, Committee Room 10, House of Commons
A Special Audience with James Lovelock
Professor James Lovelock addressed the group at what was an exceptional opportunity to hear from one of the world’s most eminent environmentalists and originator of the Gaia Theory.

6th March, 5-6.30pm, Committee Room 14, House of Commons
A Special Audience with Andris Piebalgs, EU Energy Commissioner
This meeting was addressed by European Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, and provided an opportunity to hear about Commissioner Piebalgs’s plans for a European Energy Policy, originally proposed on the 10th January.  The Commissioner’s speech was preceded by a representative of the DTI, and followed by a Question and Answer session.

5th March, 4.30-6.30pm, Committee Room 11, House of Commons
The Business Community’s Perspective of the Climate Change Bill
Following a similar format to the NGO community meeting, the final event in the series heard from a number of business representatives, representing small, medium and large sized businesses, and representatives of the trade unions. David Frost, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce, Matthew Farrow, Head of Environment Policy at the CBI, John Holbrow, Chair of the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Committee of the Federation of Small Businesses, and Frances O'Grady, Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, addressed the meeting.

1st March, 7.30pm, Committee Room 14, House of Commons
‘Climate Change Kills’: A Meeting held in Conjunction with the World Development Movement and APPG for Debt, Aid and Trade
Climate change is arguably the single greatest threat to the world’s poor. This meeting, held in conjunction with World Development Movement (WDM) and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Debt, Aid & Trade, discussed the complex social, political and ethical issues, hearing from award-winning environmental activist, Ricardo Navarro, and WDM’s Director, Benedict Southworth.

21st February, 3.30-5.30pm, Committee Room 11, House of Commons
The NGO Community’s Perspective of the Climate Change Bill
This meeting gauged the response of the NGO community to the proposed Climate Change Bill, providing an opportunity for the sector to put their views across to parliamentarians, decision makers and fellow members. Speakers: Dr Ashok Sinha, Director of Stop Climate Chaos, Ruth Bond, Chair of Public Affairs, WI, Martyn Williams, Senior Parliamentary Officer, Friends of the Earth.

29th January, 4.30-6.30pm, Committee Room 11, House of Commons
The Political Perspective to the Climate Change Bill
The second in our series of meetings on the Climate change Bill heard from Ian Pearson MP, Climate Change Minister, Chris Huhne MP, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesman, and Greg Barker MP, Shadow Environment Minister. The speeches were followed by a question and answer session from the floor, providing an excellent opportunity for stakeholders to put their questions to the relevant decision makers from all three main political parties.

22nd January, 4.30-6.30pm, Committee Room 11, House of Commons
The Context of the Climate Change Bill
This meeting launched a series of seminars on the Climate Change Bill, by looking into the bill’s context, and offered members a good chance to get to grips with the underlying issues behind the bill. Aubrey Meyer, Director of the Global Commons Institute and Dr Kevin Anderson, of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, addressed the group.  

11th January, 10.30-12pm, Committee Room 14, House of Commons
Special Audience with EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, 'Climate Change: Why a Global Problem Needs an EU Response’
The group was very fortunate to be addressed by European Commissioner for the Environment, Stavros Dimas which provided an opportunity to hear about the EU’s role in tackling climate change, actions that are being taken on a European level and the work that is yet to be done. The Commissioner’s speech was followed by a lively Question and Answer session in which members had the chance to put specific questions to the Commissioner.

To read a transcript of the Commissioner’s speech please click here

9th January 2007, 4-6 pm, Committee Room 15, House of Commons
Launch of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group Campaign for Green Finance
The launch meeting focused specifically on how government and industry can provide fiscal incentives to homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of Britain’s housing. The group heard from a variety of speakers including representatives from the Energy Saving Trust, Ecology Building Society and Insight Investment.

13th December, 10.30am, Committee Room 9, House of Commons
Workshop: 100 Days Carbon Clean-Up Challenge with CIBSE
In June this year the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers in association with the Carbon Trust launched its 100 days of carbon clean up campaign. At this meeting we will hear from CIBSE about what techniques they took to organisations to help them reduce their carbon footprint as well as two businesses who successfully completed the challenge.

5th December, 6-8pm, Macmillan Suite, Portcullis House
Carbon Markets- the thin end of the wedge
The APPCCG will be hosting the UK launch of the Ecosystem Market Places new book ‘Voluntary Carbon Markets, An International Business Guide to what they are and how they work.’ The meeting will be addressed by an international panel of speakers including California Assemblyman Joe Nation, Co-author or AB 32, California’s Climate Change Bill. This will be followed by informal drinks and networking sponsored by Ecosystem Marketplace.

21st November, 4-6pm, Committee Room 11, House of Commons
The future of carbon trading; EU ETS, UK trading scheme and beyond
A meeting in conjunction with the Environmental Industries Commission. The meeting will bring together government and industry to discuss the future of carbon trading post 2012, including Andy Kershaw, Climate Change Manager at British Airways, and special guest Ian Pearson MP, Minister of State for Climate Change and the Environment.

7th November, 2.30-4pm, Committee Room 15, House of Commons
UK Planning legislation:  White elephant or essential targets? with special guest Yvette Cooper MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning
We invited leading government experts from the Department for Communities and Local Government to discuss issues of the existing overlap of local and national regulation and provide and insight into future legislation. They were joined by leading businesses from the construction industry to share their views on the reality of implementation, challenges of meeting targets, and the possibilities of transforming the investments made to satisfy planning into value which the customer appreciates.

2nd November, 11-1pm, Committee Room 20, House of Commons.
Double Presentation with the Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction
Dr Vicky Pope will be giving a pre-brief on the centre’s work for this years COP meeting to be held in Nairobi - 'Climate Change Impacts on the Developing World' and Jason Lowe will report on his latest piece of work - 'Stabilising a changing climate - what happens if we overshoot?'

24th October, 10 for 10.30am, Overseas Development Institute,
‘Is global poverty more pressing than climate change?’
A meeting in conjunction with the All Party Group on Overseas Development. Speakers include: Sarah Mukherjee, BBC, Ashok Sinha, Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, Simon Trace, Practical Action. The meeting will be followed by a lunch sponsored by Practical Action and the ODI from 12-1pm.

18th October, 6-8pm, Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
Carbon Trading – Practical action or panacea?
A debate on the pros and cons of the current UK trading scheme and EU ETS, the scope and potential of the voluntary carbon market, and how to make carbon trading work harder. Speakers from top level government, business and NGO representatives.

10th October, 11am, Committee Room 20
Carbon Disclosure Project Report 4 Results
A presentation by members of the CDP team of the results of their latest report on corporate greenhouse gas emissions. Copies of the report will be available for members.

19th July 2006, 2.00-5.00pm, One Birdcage Walk, Westminster
APPCCG Annual General Meeting
First AGM of the Group including summer drinks event for all members sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust. Speakers will be Lord Oxburgh and Sir David King.

18th July 2006, 4pm, Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
Launch of Nottingham Declaration Action Pack with UKCIP
Launch of a new online resource to support local authorities in tackling climate change.

15th June 2006, 5pm, Atlee Suite, Portcullis House
Not a wasted opportunity: business innovation and climate change
In conjunction with the All Party Sustainable Waste Group this meeting looked at the advances in waste treatment and the impacts these could have on carbon dioxide emissions reductions.

8th June 2006, 3.30pm Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
A special audience with Mikhail Gorbachev
In his capacity as the President of Green Cross International, Mr Gorbachev addressed the group on the topics of natural resources and the world political agenda.

23rd May 2006, 2pm, Committee Room 7, House of Commons
Carbon Disclosure Project
A panel of expert speakers explained the growing interest from major investors in corporate greenhouse gas emissions. CDP represents 220 investors with assets of approximately £17 trillion.

11th May 2006, 2-4.40pm, Committee Room 13, House of Commons
Oral evidence session for the APPCCG Inquiry “Is a cross-party consensus on climate change possible – or desirable?”
Session to collect oral evidence from interested parties, including Peter Ainsworth MP and Chris Huhne MP.

28th March 2006, 1pm, Committee Room 19, House of Commons
Communicating Climate Change Meeting
Speakers: Richard Black, Environmental Correspondent for the BBC, Henry Derwent, Director: Climate, Energy & Environmental Risk, DEFRA, Solitaire Townsend, Managing Director at Futerra and Sue Welland, Founder & Creative Director of The CarbonNeutral Company.

14th March, 2.30pm, Committee Room 6, House of Commons
A special audience with Sir Nicholas Stern
Sir Nicholas Stern, Head of the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change.

10th March, 1pm, Committee Room 1, Scottish Parliament
Global & Personal – Whose responsibility is climate change?
Speakers: students at Napier University's School of Engineering; Dr Richard Starkey, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at Manchester University; Colin Challen MP, APPCCG Chair; Sarah Boyack MSP, the Convenor of the Scottish Parliament's Environment and Rural Affairs Committee; Robin Harper MSP, Chair of the Scottish Parliament Renewable Energy Group; and Rhona Brankin MSP, Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Affairs.

31st January, 12.30pm, Atlee Suite, Portcullis House
Reception with guest speaker Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

22nd November, 11am, Committee Room 8, House of Commons
Outcomes of research on Domestic Tradable Quotas (DTQs)
Presented by Dr Richard Starkey, Tyndall Centre.

15th November, 11am, Committee Room 6, House of Commons
Climate Changed? 2050: what the weather tells us about the future’s weather
Presentations by: Prof John Mitchell, Chief Scientist, Met Office; Alex Deakin, BBC weather reporter, Met Office and Gerry Metcalf, Knowledge Transfer Manager, UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP).

18th October 2005, 12.30pm, Jubilee Room, House of Commons
Kyoto and beyond: Prospects for the UN climate change summit in Montreal
Presentation by Dr Tony Grayling, ippr.

29th June 2005
Launch of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group and “25/5: Make it Personal Challenge”.
Speakers: Stephen Byers MP, Colin Challen MP, Chair APPCCG and Jonathan Shopley CEO The CarbonNeutral Company, the secretariat for the Group.

For further information about any of the events above including minutes and related research material or if you have any suggestions for future events and meetings, please contact Caroline Spencer on 020 7833 6035 or email climatechangegroup@carbonneutral.com

All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group Inquiry

"Is a cross party consensus on climate change possible - or desirable?"

Launched on 28th March 2006, this inquiry is the first to be undertaken by the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group (APPCCG). The inquiry asks whether political parties could and should work more closely together on their approach to climate change, and seeks to identify the possible scope and limitations of a consensus approach.

Evidence was submitted from businesses, organisations and individuals between 28th March and 9th May 2006. This evidence was assessed by three independent assessors. Contributors considered the following questions:

• Areas of agreement/disagreement
• What would be the best forum or mechanism for arriving at a consensus?
• Outcomes
• Examples of successful and failed cross party consensus making would be welcome.   

The independent Inquiry evidence assessors:

Dr Helen Clayton, Parliamentary Liaison Team Leader in the Natural Environment Research Council, Swindon.

Professor Nick Pidgeon, School of Psychology at Cardiff University and Director of a major programme on Understanding Risk funded by the Leverhulme Trust (2001-5).

Professor Mark Whitby, founder and director of the engineering design practice Whitbybird ltd.

For more information about the enquiry or the assessors please click here.

Inquiry Findings

The findings of the APPCCG’s first inquiry were published on 13th July 2006. At a launch held at the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and & Commerce (RSA) these findings were presented by independent assessor Prof. Nick Pidgeon and Dr Helen Clayton, and discussed by representatives from the three main political parties: Elliot Morley MP, Peter Ainsworth MP and Chris Huhne MP.

For a copy of the inquiry findings please click here.

Prof Nick Pidgeon announced to the assembled politicians and business leaders, “This report is just the start; it is up to you to take this forward.”

In a focused debate that lasted over an hour Elliot Morley MP, the former environment minister and now the Prime Minister’s special representative on the G8 Gleneagles Dialogue, expressed the opinion that “In the UK we have a broad consensus on many issues and this should not be underestimated.”

Peter Ainsworth MP the Conservative Shadow Environment Secretary promised that “MP’s will not abandon the effort to reach a consensus.” Mr Ainsworth further recognised that, “climate change is the biggest single threat to us as a species.”

“The Liberal Democrats are committed to Contraction and Convergence on a moral basis; we see its logic as morally compelling” declared Chris Huhne MP, the Liberal Democrats Shadow Environment Secretary. He concluded the meeting with a challenge to his colleagues to continue to take the findings of this inquiry forward: “Words are cheap, actions are expensive – on this issue we need actions.”

For a copy of the minutes of this meeting please click here.