A Lancaster University Professor has been appointed to the UK’s independent advisor on tackling climate change.

Rebecca Willis, Professor in Energy and Climate Governance at the Lancaster Environment Centre, has been appointed as an expert advisor to the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC).

Professor Willis will provide expert insight into the role of households and the public in the transition to Net Zero.

Her insights will help inform the CCC in its role to deliver key pieces of statutory advice to Government over the next year.

“I’m really pleased to be joining the Climate Change Committee, at such a crucial time in the UK’s transition to net zero emissions,” said Professor Willis. “I’ll be working with them to advise Government, to make sure we design climate policies that work for people’s lives and outlooks.

“Evidence demonstrates that people are concerned about climate change, and want their Government to take a lead, designing approaches that improve people’s lives and livelihoods. Working with the CCC, I can make sure that research in this area gets taken into account in setting policy.”

As well as leading the Climate Citizens research group at Lancaster University, Professor Willis is an advisor to Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living initiative, and the National Lottery’s Climate Change Fund.

In 2020 she was an Expert Lead for Climate Assembly UK, the Citizens’ Assembly established by Parliament.

Previously, between 2004 and 2011, she was Vice-Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, advising the prime Minister and First ministers of the devolved administrations.

Professor Crispin Halsall, Director of Lancaster Environment Centre, said: “This is a fantastic appointment for Rebecca. Professor Willis’s expertise and her experience with working with citizen groups concerned about climate change, means that Rebecca is just the right person to serve on this prestigious Committee.”