New Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Commission is launched

A Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Commission has been launched with 16 commissioners set to challenge, catalyse and convene on all things climate change – including net zero plans and ecological regeneration.

Justin Olosundé will sit as the first chair of this newly established Climate Commission.

Justin, who was raised and educated in Penwith (where he lives today), has had an extensive career in the investment banking sector before moving into the education sector where he was principal of Camborne College, Newquay College, Falmouth Marine School, and a director of Somerset College.

Currently, he is the Senior Finance & Investment Manager for the West of England Combined Authority and the Finance Lead for the National Local Net Zero Accelerator Pilots in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and York & North Yorkshire Combined Authorities.

The Commission has also appointed its first Vice Chairs, Lisa Telfer Brunton and David Harland, who bring a rich and diverse wealth of knowledge.

The new Commission, set up as an independent organisation, met for the first time in June.

The scope of the Climate Commission is to amplify positive action, ensuring different voices are heard, and acting through a holistic lens.

Further, they aim to challenge all relevant parties to be accountable for their climate actions, whilst holding a focus on adapting to the impacts of climate change we are already experiencing and those we can predict to see in the future.

The commission will work in partnership with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership, the Economic Forum, and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fairness Commission, and those that champion environmental and nature-based solutions in response to ecological crises.

The commission is committed to supporting work which aims to reach environmental and biodiversity targets whilst ensuring a just transition for one and all.

The Chair of the Climate Commission will also have a seat on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board.

The Commission will play a crucial role in progressing action to address climate change, and has already committed to responding to consultations with respect to the Cornwall White Paper, The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Area Energy Plan, The Housing Decarbonisation Strategy and the yet-to-be-published update to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Justin Olosundé said: “It is an honour to have the opportunity to serve in the newly created Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Climate Commission, a partnership which is seeking to actively bring people together from across the public, private and civic sectors to work collaboratively with Cornwall Council to drive climate action.”

Professor Martin Siegert, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Cornwall at the University of Exeter, who has been instrumental in setting up the Commission, said: “I am delighted that the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Climate Commission is now up and running.

“Across our local communities, businesses, NGOs, academic institutions and councils, climate action is already under way.

“But we know that we need to go further, and that we need to ensure that our response to the climate and ecological crises recognises the need for a sustainable and fair Cornwall and Isles of Scilly for one and all.

“The Climate Commissioners will play a key role in this, providing challenge, support and inspiration.

“I look forward to working with them, and encourage all others to do the same.”

Cllr Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said: “Having been involved from the outset in creating the draft terms of reference for the Commission and the selection of the first Commissioners, I know that we are fortunate to have a diverse and passionate cohort of individuals who between them will bring together a vast range of personal skills and perspectives.

“Under the leadership of Justin, I also know that they will prove to be a strong and challenging voice, engaging with all parties in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, whether the public sector, private business or our residents and visitors.”

List of Commissioners:

Justin Olosundé (Chair), Lisa Telfer Brunton (Vice Chair), David Harland (Vice Chair), Ali Wills, Alison Colclough, Andrea Gilbert, Anna Battersby, Cheryl Marriot, Connie Chilcott, Corina Barsa, Fergus Chan, Isabella Hawkes, Kit Williams, Robert Uhlig, Sarah Lee, Dr Tim Jones.