The Commission is tasked with driving action on the climate crisis and Edinburgh’s commitment to be a Net Zero Carbon Emissions city by 2030.
Edinburgh Climate Commission was established in February 2020, bringing together key organisations and actors from across the city and from the private, public and third sectors.
The Commission aims to accelerate action and impact on climate change in the city, and provides independent, expert and authoritative advice to enable and support the best choices being made for Edinburgh.
The Commission will catalyse action, challenge decision makers in the city and convene stakeholders critical to the accelerated response required to meet the city's net zero carbon emissions by 2030 target.
It is co-sponsored by the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation at the University of Edinburgh and City of Edinburgh Council.
Dr Sam Gardner, currently Head of Sustainability at Scottish Power, chairs the Commission and will help guide its aims and work alongside existing city structures and programmes.
The Edinburgh Climate Commission is one of three city based Climate Commissions across the UK in the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN), including Leeds and Belfast. PCAN aims to help the UK meet its climate targets by catalysing cross-sector action and increasing the flow of green finance.
Funded by ESRC over five years, PCAN links research, business, government and communities to accelerate the transition to a fair, thriving low carbon economy. Project partners included the Centre for Sustainability and Environmental Governance at Queen’s University Belfast; the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation; the University of Leeds, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Chair of the Edinburgh Climate Commission Dr Sam Gardner said: “The Commission will focus its work on helping to unlock the delivery of the measures we know we must take, not only to tackle climate change but to help build a better future for all of Edinburgh."
"The scale of the transformation Edinburgh faces is significant but the rewards are even greater, to be successful we will all have a part to play and those with the greatest responsibility must show the greatest leadership. We have entered the climate decade of delivery and this will be the touchstone the Commission will hold itself to.”
Adam McVey, Vice Chair of the Climate Commission and Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said: "Working together across all sectors to reduce the city's carbon emissions and unlock a truly sustainable future is a massive opportunity for this city. I am looking forward to playing an active role in the Commission as we push for the change needed right across the city in delivering our 2030 ambitions.”
ECCI Head of Innovation and Skills Jamie Brogan said: “We’re delighted to partner with the City of Edinburgh on accelerating our city’s journey to net zero and delivering this by 2030."
"This collaboration and our PCAN project drives city ambition by sharing expertise and knowledge across UK cities, and by engaging all city stakeholders in place-based climate action. Climate change is a collective challenge, and it needs everyone in our city to contribute.”
Find out more about the team involved with this project.
Head of Climate Partnerships
Project Manager - Climate, Business and Industry, ClimateXChange