On Wednesday this week in a live evidence session starting at 14.30pm on Wednesday 15 July 2026 the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee will explore how the net zero transition should be financed as it continues its inquiry into the Treasury’s role in climate and nature policy.
MPs will question witnesses, including the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and former COP26 President Lord Alok Sharma, on the economic and financial measures the government could introduce to deliver its climate, nature and environmental objectives.
The OBR have predicted that GDP could be 8% lower by the early 2070s due to climate change, with climate damage increasing public sector debt by 56% of GDP.
The Committee is likely to use this session to consider how climate change could impact the resilience and growth of the UK’s businesses and economy.
MPs are also likely to consider the Treasury’s role in transition finance and the potential impact of the UK’s net zero transition on the economy. MPs may explore what more could be done to mobilise private investment in net zero and improve relations between the government and the financial sector.
Witnesses
Panel one, from 14.30:
- Ben Howarth, Assistant Director and Head of Sustainability and Climate, The Association of British Insurers
- Tom Josephs, Member of the Budget Responsibility Committee, The Office for Budget Responsibility
- Toby Radcliffe, Policy Officer, Aldersgate Group
Panel two, from 15.30:
- Rt Hon Lord Alok Sharma KCMG, Chair, Transition Finance Council
- Jennifer Wu, Head of Sustainable Finance Innovation, City of London Corporation; Head of Secretariat, Transition Finance Council
Panel three, from 16.00:
- James Alexander, Chief Executive, UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association
- Jaya Sood, Senior Economist, New Economics Foundation
Click here to watch the evidence session live on ParliamentLive TV or to catch up later