MPs have bowed to a demand by activist group Extinction Rebellion as they send out 30,000 invitations to a citizens' assembly on climate change.

Six major parliament committees have set up a people's forum to find out how the electorate wants MPs to save the environment.

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, Environmental Audit Committee, Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, Science and Technology Committee, Transport Committee; and Treasury Committee will look at how the UK will reach its net zero emissions climate target, and what can be done by members of the public to help reduce carbon emissions.

The citizens’ assembly has been launched before the dissolution of Parliament, to ensure that the assembly’s report is available to the new Parliament as it begins its work.

Of the 30,000 who receive invitations, 110 of those who reply saying they are available to take part will be selected to travel to Birmingham and sit on the Assembly. This will be a representative sample of people from all walks of life.

The addresses have been chosen at random to receive invitations to participate in Climate Assembly UK which will run over four weekends between late January to the middle of March next year.

Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee said, “Adopting the net zero target was a major milestone for the UK, reflecting the strong cross-party support for action on climate change.