Become a Commissioner

Can you help us to support, guide and track ambitious climate action across Yorkshire and the Humber?

We are looking to recruit three new Commissioners from the following sectors:

• agriculture and food
• heavy industry
• energy production.

As a Commissioner you will bring a wealth of experience, expertise and extensive networks from across the region and nationally. You will be a recognised sector leader and able to commit to the requirements outlined below.

Please note that this is a voluntary position that will run until March 2027. The closing date for completed applications is Friday 30 May.

To explore the role further please contact Rosa Foster, Climate Commissions Director at yhclimate@leeds.ac.uk.

What will be expected of you as a Commissioner?

• Promote the role of the Commission, actively making connections and building momentum towards delivery of the Climate Action Plan.
• Advocate for policy change and climate action on behalf of the Commission.
• Share updates on work that you’ve done in your role as Commissioner, so we can monitor and report on our collective impact.
• Attend quarterly Commission meetings (both in person and online).
• Author/co-author blogs and support with media liaison where appropriate, raising the profile of the Commission and increasing the impact of our work.
• Attend and support Commission engagement events (online and in person).
• Lead or be directly involved in a Commission group and/or flagship project OR provide strategic steer and review of the work of the Commission, including approval of spend and guiding resource allocation.
• Bring expertise, insight and engagement skills to contribute to and promote the work of the Commission.
• Approve, and work in accordance with, the Commission’s Terms of Reference.
• Consider and review all evidence and documentation referred to the Commission.
• Sign off on reports and other outputs from the Commission under the terms set out in this Terms of Reference.

What can you expect in return?

• You will be clearly positioned as part of the collective leadership on climate action across Yorkshire and the Humber.
• You will be able to use the convening power of the Commission to accelerate actions in the Climate Action Plan within the remit of the Commission.*

• You will be able to provide direct steer and support aligned to your sector networks and/or expertise to the Commission’s groups and flagship projects, as your capacity allows and as is necessary to support delivery.

• You will have the opportunity to see exemplar work in the region through in-person visits aligned with Commission meetings.

• You will have first refusal for any free tickets to conferences and events for which we are lead partner.

• You will be invited to an annual face-to-face networking and collaboration event.

• You will receive regular Commissioner briefings.

• You will be supported in any media activities that you undertake as a Commissioner.

* Where this activity is aligned to a flagship project or one of the Commission’s core groups, there could be some supporting resource from within the Commission’s staff team. Where the initiative doesn’t directly fall into one of these categories, a light touch MOU will need to be established so that roles, expectations and outcomes are clear from the outset, and the Commission maintains visibility, quality assurance and ownership of its convening power.