The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Climate Commission is an independent organisation that brings together people and organisations from public, private and voluntary sectors to work together and help drive, guide, support, and track climate action.
Climate Commissions complement the activities of local government, community groups, businesses and regional partnerships, and extend their reach whilst building an area’s capacities to deliver climate resilience and low carbon transitions.
The Climate Commission model has been designed to create:
- A visible and representative mechanism
- Proactive, engaged, neutral, knowledgeable networks with collective power
- A platform for broader engagement and democratic discussion.
Read below for more details about the Commissioners and their role.
Common functions of Climate Commissions include:
- Area-wide climate strategy or action plan development
- Independent assurance over the delivery of the action plan by different sectoral agencies and actors
- Independent and expert advice to aid area-wide leadership and decision making
- Advocacy for businesses, communities and civil society to act through engagement and behaviour change interventions
To maintain our independence, integrity and neutrality, it is also helpful to define what a Climate Commission is not:
- A place for marketing or lobbying
- An attempt to take over council responsibilities
- An extension of local authority powers
- A substitute for direct public representation
- A policy maker (but we can guide/advise on policy)
- A talking shop – we are here to make a tangible difference in the delivery of climate action
Commissioners
Justin Olosundé (Chair)
Justin is a Senior Funding & Investment Manager within the West of England Combined Authority. Justin has an extensive background in education management, curriculum development, consultancy, investment banking, social enterprise, and specialisms in renewable energy and environmental goods & services.
Ali Wills
Ali is a change maker and a passionate environmentalist. She believes that change needs to happen across the system in order tackle the challenge of climate change. She is particularly interested in shifting power to communities, enabling people to own the future they want to see.
Alison Colclough
Alison is an environmental researcher specialising in plastic pollution, with expertise in citizen science, policy development, and impactful public campaigns. Alison is passionate about sustainable consumption and reducing plastic production to combat the climate crisis, with recent experience across the UK and small island states globally.
Andrea Gilbert
Andrea is a town and country planner with 20 years as the Manager of Inclusion Cornwall and now a member of the Inclusion Cornwall Steering Group. Andrea is determined to ensure that all can take part in Climate Action across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Anna Battersby
Anna is international governance expert on a mission to make governance fit for purpose to tackle the dual challenge of the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis. She has over 20 years’ experience in justice, human rights, gender and the promotion of democracy.
Cheryl Marriott
Cheryl is Director of Nature and People at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, with a particular interest in nature-based solutions to climate change and in how we can help nature to adapt. She is involved with wild beaver reintroduction, seagrass restoration, peatland restoration and appropriate tree establishment.
Connie Chilcott
Connie is a dedicated climate and social justice activist, currently the President of the Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union and Chair of its Board of Trustees. She is deeply committed to promoting a just transition and building an equitable future for all.
Corina Barsa
Corina is a lawyer with financial services experience, currently enhancing her skills in the field of sustainability and sustainable finance. She is a mum of three living in London, involved with the local community on matters related to education, nature preservation and development and promotion of female talent.
David Harland
David is CEO of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and has also served as Director and CEO of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Victoria, Melbourne and as the CEO of the Eden Project and Eden Project International. He is committed to fostering a deeper public understanding of sustainability and ecological stewardship.
Fergus Chan
Fergus is the Carbon & Energy Manager at Falmouth Exeter Plus, specialising in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon management. Fergus is committed to advancing innovative energy solutions and building collaborations amongst communities to support our transition to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Isabella Hawkes
Isabella is a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter. Her research focuses on community-led, place-based engagement methods for delivering just energy transitions. Isabella is passionate about creating safe and fun spaces that amplify civic voices.
Lisa Telfer Brunton
With a background in tech, music, and social enterprises, Lisa champions equality and collaboration to create lasting positive change. A proud Cornish advocate, Lisa is passionate about uniting communities to spark innovative solutions and inspire impactful, sustainable progress.
Phil Green
Phil is the Youth Climate Action Co-ordinator with RJ Working. He is working to promote Restorative Practice in relation to the climate crisis, exploring how the Restorative model can contribute to cultures and structures. He works towards enabling young people’s collective voices to be heard in moving towards systematic sustainable change and development. Phil is also a facilitator of People’s Assemblies, championing intergenerational community conversations on climate and nature issues around Cornwall.
Robert Uhlig
Robert is Program Director and co-founder of Bude Climate Partnership, an alliance of community, environmental and municipal organisations delivering positive climate response projects in north Cornwall. His work covers sustainable tourism, energy efficiency, growing, waste, consumption, storytelling, and coastal change.
Dr Tim Jones
Tim is Chief Executive of Community Energy Plus, Cornwall’s energy advice charity, tackling the effects of fuel poverty and inefficient homes in Cornwall. He is also a director of Cornwall Climate Action Network CIC, a member led grouping of 30 climate action and community energy groups focussed on developing action in their local communities.
Sarah Lee
Sarah is a Senior Associate Architect with over 20 years experience, working for Stride Treglown who are a B Corp and sustainably driven national practice. Sarah is a Cornish girl who just wants to make the world a better place!
Commission Structure
The Climate Commission is an independent body which includes between 12 and 20 Commissioners. The Commission is led by a Chair, supported by two Vice-Chairs, and secretariat support currently provided by the University of Exeter.
The Commission also hosts a number of Working Groups, some of which are open to non-Commissioners to join and contribute to.
- Visit our Get Involved page to find out more
- Download the Terms of Reference to read more about the Commission’s structure
Downloads
Other Climate Commissions
For more information on the Climate Commission model, visit the PCAN (Place-Based Climate Action Network) website and visit the websites of other Climate Commissions around the UK.