In this webinar we deep dive into Chris Stark’s insights, frustrations and reflections as the country’s leading climate change policy expert. Chris is one of the most well-known figures in climate policy, and was until April chief executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC). He left the CCC in April to become CEO of the Carbon Trust, but on 9th July was asked by the new Energy Security and Net Zero Minister, Ed Miliband, to lead the UK's 'Mission Control' centre to accelerate the transition to green energy by 2030.

In this previous role at the CCC, Chris led independent advice on the UK’s net zero target, the world’s first net zero target to be legislated, and directed the development of detailed pathways for the UK to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. For the agri-food sector, this included the report Land Use: Policies for a Net Zero UK.

Rather than our usual format of a presentation, we’ll be getting to the heart of things through conversation and questions. This will be followed by the normal audience Q&A.

We cover;

*Where we are now, and how to drive change fast
*Will change in diets really save the day?
*Farming and land use - why is change so difficult?
*Chris’ time at the CCC - what are the political blockers and enablers to policy change?
*Ideas for the new government

NOTE: Chris had not begun his new role in government when the webinar was recorded. The views expressed by him were personal opinions and not intended to indicate the approach of the new government.

In conversation with Chris is Jez Fredenburgh, Knowledge Exchange Fellow, and Prof Neil Ward, col-lead of AFN Network+. Both Jez and Neil are based in the Environment Department and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, at the University of East Anglia.

About Chris:

Chris Stark is leading the UK government's 'Mission Control' centre to accelerate the transition to green energy by 2030. He was personally asked to join the new team, assembled by the new Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband. In doing so, Chris had to leave the Carbon Trust, where he was briefly CEO.

In his previous role as Chief Executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee, Chris led independent advice on the UK’s Net Zero target, the world’s first Net Zero target to be legislated. He also directed the development of detailed pathways for the UK to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. In 2021, he presented the UK’s third climate change risk assessment, with detailed analysis and advice on the extensive risks facing the UK from climate change.

Chris has held several senior roles in the UK government, including in HM Treasury, and as Director for Energy and Climate Change in the Scottish Government. In each of these roles he has developed the intersection between policy and business, particularly, the private sector’s role in the Net Zero transition.

A passionate advocate on the urgent need to confront climate change and the economic benefits of rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, Chris regularly speaks to the media and in public events.

In November 2023, Chris was appointed as an Honorary Professor of the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in April 2024.

About the webinar series:

The webinar is chaired by Jez Fredenburgh, Knowledge Exchange Fellow for the AFN Network+, and agri-food journalist. Jez is based at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia.

This webinar is part of a series run by AFN Network+ which explores net zero in the UK agri-food system with leading movers and shakers. Expect deep and varied insight from across the sector, including farmers, scientists, policy analysts, community leaders, retailers, politicians, businesses and health professionals.

The series is put together by Jez and Prof Neil Ward, also based at the University of East Anglia, and a co-lead of AFN Network+.

Watch past webinars here - [ Ссылка ]

Follow AFN Network+ on Twitter/X [ Ссылка ] and LinkedIn [ Ссылка ]

Join our growing network of 1,800+ people across UK agri-food working on food system transformation, from academics to farmers, food companies, NGOs, policy makers and citizens [ Ссылка ]

The AFN Network+ is funded by UKRI [ Ссылка ]

свернуть