Climate change advisory bodies are rapidly proliferating around the world, often with statutory underpinning. While they are argued to be an important component of effective climate governance, few studies have systematically assessed their political influence. Using the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) as a case, this paper investigates how such bodies influence political debates on climate change. To do so, we build an original dataset of all CCC mentions in UK Parliamentary proceedings from 2008–2018. We find that CCC analysis is used by all major political parties, that its influence has grown over time and that it has influenced policy debates both within its statutory remit (carbon budgets) and more broadly (energy policy and flood defence spending). Furthermore, most politicians have been supportive of the CCC. They have utilized the information it produces to hold government accountable and to argue for more ambitious policy. We find little evidence that CCC analysis is politicized or that it merely functions as a ‘legitimiser’, providing justification for the government’s pre-decided policy choices. Instead, we find that the CCC functions primarily as a knowledge broker, offering trusted information to policymakers, and at times as a policy entrepreneur. Overall, the CCC experience demonstrates that climate change advisory bodies can play a key role in climate governance.
The influence of climate change advisory bodies on political debates: evidence from the UK Committee on Climate Change
Publication details
The urgency of zero
Research paper
Fankhauser, Sam
2021
Latest news

UK Government Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets policy consolidates action on nature and climate, but risks compromising urgent mitigation of climate change and preventing and repairing nature loss, say ONZ researchers
Oxford, 23 June 2025 Researchers from the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, Oxford Net Zero and Oxford Sustainable Finance Group have submitted feedback to the UK Government’s ‘Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets: Raising Integrity’ ... Read more

Job opening: Serviced Emissions Research & Engagement Manager
The Oxford Net Zero Engagement Team is recruiting for a Serviced Emissions Research & Engagement Manager. This pivotal role will lead a high-impact initiative focused on advancing the understanding and integration of “serviced emissions” ... Read more

New Oxford Report: Carbon Capture and Storage Without Taxpayer Billions Is Possible
Oxford Net Zero and Carbon Balance researchers reveal the risks of the current UK CCS policy mix and explore how a carbon storage mandate on fossil fuel producers could help the UK meet its climate targets while protecting public finances A ... Read more
See more news and events