Net carbon zero hero appointed
A carbon zero czar had been appointed as part of Edinburgh's bid to achieve net carbon zero by 2030.
Dr Sam Gardner has been appointed Independent Chair of the Edinburgh Climate Commission and has begun to appoint fellow commissioners from key sectors in the city and areas of climate expertise.
He is Head of Climate Change and Sustainability at Scottish Power and previously worked for WWF Scotland for 12 years, most recently as Deputy Director. At WWF Scotland Dr Gardner led a team focused on securing lasting solutions to the environmental and climate change crises.
His work has covered the introduction of the first Climate Change Scotland in 2009 and its implementation over the last ten years. He has worked closely with stakeholder from across industry, academia and the public sector on the transition to net zero, in particular on electric vehicles, low carbon infrastructure, renewable heat and the power sector.
He said: "It’s a huge privilege to be asked to Chair the Edinburgh Climate Commission, to work with the expertise and experience of my fellow Commissioners and to play a part in ensuring Edinburgh accelerates its response to the climate crisis. 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."
Cllr Adam McVey, Vice Chair of the Climate Commission and Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Dr Gardner into his new role as Chair of the independent Edinburgh Climate Commission. He brings a wealth of relevant experience and knowledge to the post and will be a real catalyst for change by leading the Commission's work to help Edinburgh achieve our hugely ambitious net zero target."
Co-sponsored by the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation and the city council, with funding support from the Placebased Climate Action Network, the Commission will provide leadership, expertise, challenge and encouragement to the city as it works to deliver its carbon neutral ambition by 2030.
Dr Sam Gardner has been appointed Independent Chair of the Edinburgh Climate Commission.