Are you passionate about ensuring the UK is ready
to deal with the impacts of climate change? Do you want to be part of the
leading independent body that provides advice to the UK and Devolved
Governments on preparing for climate change?
The Adaptation Committee
advises the UK government and devolved governments on its assessment of the
risks and opportunities from climate change, and reports to Parliament and each
of the devolved legislatures on its evaluation of the quality and
implementation of actions in the UK and devolved government’s adaptation programmes.
The
Adaptation Committee (AC) is currently comprised of six members (including the
Chair). As a Committee member you will be responsible for establishing its
strategic direction and providing impartial input into its work.
The
AC members have collective responsibility for:
- Collaborating closely
with, and providing support to, the AC Secretariat in delivering the work
programme;
- Ensuring that the
Committee discharges statutory requirements under the Climate Change Act 2008
and the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and other relevant climate change
legislation;
- Providing impartial,
strategic input to discussions;
- Providing expert input
and advice into reports to UK Ministers, UK Parliament and the respective
Devolved Governments and legislatures;
- Assisting the Chair in
their representative role across the UK; and
- Ensuring close working
relationships with the Devolved Governments, private and voluntary sectors, key
academics and professional and other bodies.
Member
with expertise in the interaction between health and climate change issues
Demonstrable expertise in the effects of climate change on
human health and measures that can be taken to avoid them. A detailed
understanding of at least one of the main ways in which climate change can
impact humans: physiological effects of extreme heat, increases in prevalence
of vector-borne disease and disruption to health care services; is required.
Applications with a good understanding of the necessary policy actions in the
UK (from central government, devolved government, local government and beyond)
to address these risks are particularly desirable.
Member
with expertise in infrastructure
A proven track record in understanding and managing risks
to UK infrastructure. Applicants should be experts at understanding risks to UK
infrastructure systems (energy, transport, water and ICT networks, flood
defences) - with experience across multiple systems desirable. Experience with
regulatory structures in this sector and the levers they have available to help
build resilience would be desirable, as would good understanding of efforts to
model climate risks and adaptation options quantitatively within these systems.
An understanding of the devolved aspects of infrastructure would be desirable.
Member
with expertise in farming
An in-depth understanding of the challenges facing
agriculture in the UK, including from a changing climate, and knowledge of
effective adaptation approaches. Established networks within the sector to
enable the committee to understand on-the-ground challenges in building
agricultural climate resilience are desirable. Knowledge of the multiple
challenges facing agriculture (reducing emissions, resilience, environmental
improvement and market competitiveness) and their complex interactions are
essential, as is a good understanding of the current agricultural policy
landscape, including within the devolved governments, aiming to provide
incentives for farmers to deliver on these multiple objectives simultaneously.
Established networks within the sector to enable the committee to understand
on-the-ground challenges in building agricultural climate resilience are
desirable.