The UK’s statutory scientific advisors on nature and climate – JNCC and CCC – have joined forces.
In a landmark moment for international climate collaboration, UK stakeholders gathered yesterday (Thursday 9 October) at the iconic Natural History Museum – our global cathedral for nature – to rally behind a shared UK–Brazil vision for a successful UNFCCC COP30. This united front was further strengthened by the signing of a pivotal agreement between the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Climate Change Committee (CCC), marking a bold step forward in the fight against climate breakdown and ecological collapse.
Photograph: Witnessing Emma Pinchbeck CEO of the Climate Change Committee (left) and JNCC CEO Gemma Harper (right) signing the pivotal agreement in the fight against climate breakdown and ecological collapse are (back row, from left): Minister for Climate in the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero, Katie White; JNCC Chair David Cooper and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Nature) Mary Creagh.
Stronger together, and working across sectors, JNCC and CCC will provide evidence and advice to safeguard biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience to build a prosperous, equitable and secure future for the UK. This aligns with the UK Government’s ongoing commitment for joined up solutions to meet its global commitments on tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.
There is no route to tackling climate change that does not involve nature, and no pathway to nature recovery that does not consider climate change. This was highlighted in the UK Government’s recent report 'Unlocking benefits for people, nature and climate: Actions to jointly address climate change and biodiversity loss'. Climate and nature are two interlinked challenges, and the report demonstrated that integrated approaches that align environmental, economic, and social goals are essential for delivering resilient, long-term outcomes.
JNCC CEO Dr Gemma Harper OBE said: "Nature is one of our best tools to fight climate breakdown. This partnership agreement with the Climate Change Committee marks a pivotal moment in JNCC’s history and helps us deliver our strategic priority to align action on climate with action on nature. JNCC is fundamentally a partnership organisation and I am, therefore, delighted to strengthen the relationship with the Climate Change Committee to maximise the impact of our respective statutory scientific roles for a healthier environment for all."
CCC CEO Emma Pinchbeck said: "The CCC is pleased to sign this MOU with the JNCC. Nature and climate change are two sides of the same coin.
"In today’s world, both scientific rigor and an openness to different insights and perspectives are of upmost importance. We’re proud to share these values with the JNCC."
Published: