http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/articles/i/5246/?cid=3

John Gummer, now Lord Deben, has been put forward by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey as the preferred candidate to succeed Lord Turner as chair of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

The former Environment Secretary, who served under the Conservative administration between 1993 and 1997, was dubbed "the best Environment Secretary we've ever had" by environmental group Friends of the Earth.

A Member of Parliament until 2010, Lord Deben also chaired the Marine Stewardship Council for seven years and is also currently chair of Forewind, a consortium of energy companies working on the development of the Dogger Bank offshore site; Sancroft International, which advises on corporate responsibility; environmental compliance and recycling consultancy Valpak; and waste management specialist Veolia.

Lord Deben has said the invitation was a "great honour" and promised to build on the "firm foundations" laid by Lord Turner.

"I am determined that the Committee on Climate Change will remain firmly independent, giving impartial, scientifically well-founded advice to the UK Government and devolved administrations," he said in a statement.

Subject to pre-appointment scrutiny and approval, he will take over as chair of the independent Committee, which was set up to advise the government on emission targets and the direction and progress of its climate change policies.

The Committee reports directly to Parliament on greenhouse gas emission reduction activities and, under Lord Turner's leadership, has been critical of the current administration.

"Lord Deben has vast knowledge and experience of the environmental sector, including a distinguished track record in both government and in business, and a detailed knowledge of climate change issues," said Davey in a statement.