Science, politics and expert advice: the curious case of CO2 emissions reduction targets in the UK
- When?
- Thursday 27 January 2011, 13:00
- Where?
- 45A AZ 04
- Open to:
- Public, Staff, Students
- Speaker:
- Susan Owens, Professor of Environment and Policy, University of Cambridge
The paper examines a decision by the UK Government in 2003 to adopt a demanding, long-term CO2 emissions reduction target, following the advice of one of its longest-standing environmental advisory bodies, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (established in 1970, the RCEP is one of the bodies that the Coalition Government has decided to abolish).
The paper explores the origins of the Commission’s recommendation and the reasons for its surprisingly rapid uptake in public policy. In both cases, a complex mix of structural and contingent, cognitive and non-cognitive factors can be identified, operating at different levels of governance. Finally, the paper will reflect on what we might learn from this particular case about policy and political processes, and the role of knowledge and expert advice therein.