I am absolutely delighted to share that I’ve been appointed as Co-Chair of the Leeds Climate Commission, alongside Cllr Katie Dye. Working together with our Director, Rosa Foster and Amelia Duncan, we’re stepping into a pivotal moment for our city, as we aim to accelerate climate action and position Leeds as a leader in sustainability.

Since its inception seven years ago, the Leeds Climate Commission has been a beacon for local climate action, inspiring cities across Yorkshire and beyond.

With our refreshed focus in 2024, we’re committed to filling the ‘missing middle’ in local climate efforts, ensuring that our city is not only on track to achieve net zero by 2030, if not before to become the first UK city to achieve net zero, but is also resilient to future climate impacts.

As Co-Chair, I’m particularly excited to drive forward our three core priorities:

* Ongoing Independent Evaluation: Continuously assessing our progress on climate action in Leeds.

* Stakeholder Collaboration: Convening and facilitating the sharing of impactful climate initiatives across the city.

* Innovative Partnerships: Creating collaborations that target key sectors and drive ambitious climate action, all grounded in evidence.

My vision is clear: I want to see Leeds become a global exemplar in achieving net zero, harnessing the full potential of industry while ensuring a just energy transition for all.

This is a significant step forward for the Leeds Climate Commission, and I’m honored to contribute to a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable future for our businesses and communities.

💬 As I always say, “My passion is furthering a ‘Just’ Energy Transition for everyone. I advocate for a pragmatic approach to energy transition focusing on results.”

I look forward to the work ahead and the impact we can make together.