“How can we safeguard the value of England’s natural capital and help drive sustainable economic growth?”  That’s the challenge that will define the success of the Natural Capital Committee says the new Chair – Dieter Helm, whose appointment was announced today by the Chancellor in the budget.

The Natural Capital Committee is a key commitment of the Natural Environment White Paper: The Natural Choice. It will provide advice on the state of English Natural Capital to the Economic Affairs Cabinet Committee (chaired by the Chancellor of the Exchequer).

Dieter is a highly influential economist, Professor at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of New College, Oxford, who has been influential in UK and European economic and environmental policy for over 20 years.

Dieter said “I am pleased to take up the role of Chair of the Natural Capital Committee. This Committee is a vital opportunity to bring the value of nature to the heart of Government policy. I was attracted by the innovative nature of the work, and look forward to the challenges it presents”.

Notes:

1. The NCC is a time limited advisory body, rather than an NDPB, with a built in review in 2014.
2. Natural Capital Committee will be supported by a natural capital asset check scoping study, and the 2nd phase of the highly influential National Ecosystem Assessment.
3. Dieter was appointed via an open and transparent recruitment process, which followed the best practice suggested by the Office of the Commissioner of Public Appointments (OCPA).
4. Dieter has published widely on environmental and economic issues, and has just completed a study of climate change policy be published by Yale University Press in autumn 2012. He has been involved in the development of environmental policy in Britain and Europe since the mid 1980s, and has served as Chairman of the DEFRA economic advisory panel for a number of years. He has a keen interest in wildlife conservation, and is an honorary president of BBOWT, the largest wildlife trust in Britain.