Rural Climate Change Panel
Terms of Reference
Remit
The Panel was set up to:
- Raise awareness of rural climate change issues through existing and/or new knowledge networks, and promote appropriate responses to climate change;
- Examine, propose and promote practical ways to reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions, including the uptake of research findings and other information;
- Encourage consideration of the potential impacts of climate change within rural activities and policies, and seek sustainable ways to adapt to these changes;
- Identify potential new avenues for research priorities on climate change; and
- Inform and influence relevant policy reviews, including those mainstream policies which affect rural areas.
The Panel will report annually on its progress to the Chair, and has been set up for two years with effect from its first meeting on 17 July 2003. Should members wish to continue their activities after this point, the work of the Panel will need to be reviewed to determine the best way forward.
Note: the Panel was originally set up to function as a sub-group of the Rural Affairs Forum for England, which will cease to exist after its final meeting in November 2004, following the new arrangements for stakeholder engagement set out in the Rural Strategy 2004.
Membership
Members are appointed as representatives of their parent organisations, not on a personal basis. Members may resign at any time, or nominate a colleague to substitute for them, although they are requested to inform the Secretariat.
Chairman
The Panel will report to Elliot Morley MP, Minister for Environment and Agri-Environment, who will formally act as chairman. The co-chair, Professor Melvin Cannell (mgrc@ceh.ac.u) of the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology at the Natural Environment Research Council, will act in an independent capacity and will be responsible for organising the working of the Panel on a day-to-day basis.
Secretariat
Until the final meeting of the Rural Affairs Forum for England in November 2004, a secretariat function will be provided as necessary by Defra's Rural Partnerships Division.
Meetings
The panel will operate primarily via e-mail and paper-based communications, with periodic meetings as necessary.
Page published: 15 September 2004