Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of citizens' assemblies on Government climate change policy.

Achieving our net zero target must be a shared endeavour between governments, businesses and individuals.

The Climate Assembly UK was commissioned by six Parliamentary Select committees to explore how the UK should reach net zero by 2050. We welcome the Climate Assembly UK’s recommendations, which demonstrate strong public support for the Government’s intention to deliver a UK economy which is stronger, cleaner, more sustainable and more resilient.

In September 2020 we invited the Climate Assembly UK expert leads to present the Assembly’s findings to officials. These briefings were attended by over 400 officials. We are looking closely at the Climate Assembly UK report’s findings and government departments will consider its findings as we develop our plans for reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

As we develop our plans for reaching net zero emissions by 2050, we will continue to engage the public on the changes that are needed to develop our ambitions on net zero and we will listen very attentively to feedback.