Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti has been appointed as the UK’s new climate change envoy by Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Morisetti replaces John Ashton, who left in June 2012, and will take the role initially for nine months, while the Foreign Office searches for a permanent candidate.
Previously the Rear Admiral, who commanded the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible while in the Royal Navy, filled the cross government role of UK Climate and Energy Security Envoy.
In a statement Hague stressed climate change was one of the “greatest challenges” of the 21st century, and reiterated the UK’s desire for a global climate deal to be agreed at the UN sponsored negotiations.
“A successful response remains a central objective of UK foreign policy,” he said.
“Much has been achieved but there is still more to be done if a global climate agreement is to be signed by 2015.
“The appointment of Neil Morisetti, who will be able to draw on the experience he has gained over the last three years as the UK Government Climate and Energy Security Envoy, will be key to ensuring that I, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, are at the forefront of encouraging governments, business leaders, economists, financiers and civil society around the world to make strategic choices in favour of low carbon growth, underpinned by legally binding emissions reduction targets: I look forward to working with him.”
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