His official title is inaugural chair of the new committee on climate change. The committee is being established under the Climate Change Bill.
In a statement announcing his new role, Turner explains: “This expert body will advise on the pathway to 2050 by giving advice on the level of carbon budgets, on how much effort should be made in the UK and overseas and how domestic effort should be spread across the economy.
“It will also review the UK’s target to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050 to see whether it should be tightened up to 80 per cent, as announced by the Prime Minister last year.”
It’s a big job but Turner’s used to that. He is, of course, a former director-general of the CBI, and the former chair of the Low Pay Commission and Pensions Commission.
From a business point-of-view, it seems a sensible appointment. Turner’s experience and background will hopefully mean he’ll push for meaningful reform, but reform that won’t be too onerous for corporates.
