About us

Who are we?

The Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission is an independent advisory body that brings together a wide range of people from the public, private and third sectors to support, facilitate and enable the delivery of ambitious climate action across Yorkshire and the Humber. 

It is the largest climate commission within the UK and the only one operating at a regional scale. 

The Commission is also working to create a more stable policy environment that builds confidence and attracts investment in action on climate and nature within the region. That includes enabling the region to speak with a clear, informed voice to government about the policy changes that will help us to go further and faster.

The Commission is independent. It is not a lobbying group or a platform for campaigning or marketing. The Commission does not seek to duplicate existing efforts, or deliver climate action directly. 

How we work 

The Commission is committed to working towards its aims by creating a positive and enabling culture, where existing capacity is mobilised through effective engagement, constructive debate is supported, our collective evidence base is strengthened, best practice is promoted and adopted, capacities are built, and progress is regularly reviewed and analysed.

The Commission is led by a Chair working closely with the Director and supported by vice-chairs who each represent the sub-regions of Yorkshire and the Humber. The full Commission makes key decisions and sets the strategic direction.

Four core groups support the work of the Commission: Public Affairs, Regional Picture & Evidence, Communities & Engagement, and the Regional Policy Forum.

Flagship projects, which aim to deliver significant progress against the Climate Action Plan and the Commission’s four key aims, are led by Commissioners and/or associates, and supported by the Commissions team. 

How we are funded 

The Yorkshire Leaders Board – a partnership of political leaders from all 15 local authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber, plus the region’s mayors – has confirmed that it welcomes the support and drive the Commission provides and has committed funding up to 2030. The University of Leeds has committed to support the Commissions Team until 2030, including a significant portion of core funding until 2029 as part of its ambitious Climate Plan commitments 102. The Commission is also supported by untied donor contributions from Northern Power Grid, Yorkshire Water and the Yorkshire Building Society, and received funding from the Environment Agency and Northern Gas Networks during phase one. Further donor contributions are actively being sought.  

The Commissions Team receives additional funding as part of its work supporting the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership, an ESRC-funded collaboration. Contributions in-kind have also been made by a wide range of partners including the Trade Union Congress, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Yorkshire Universities. The Commission is developing a medium-term funding strategy to become financially self-sustaining.