The London Climate and Sustainability Commission (LCSC), formerly known as the London Sustainable Development Commission, has announced their new cohort of commissioners working to independently advise the Mayor on making London a world-leading sustainable city.
The LCSC’s work has previously focused on promoting green finance, ensuring the transition to net zero is equitable, and advising on ways to make London a world-leading location for low-carbon, cleantech innovation businesses.
Continuing that mission, the LCSC have appointed a new commission consisting of 18 people with new expertise and innovative ideas to lead on making London a resilient, fair and sustainable city.
All of the appointees have made significant contributions to sustainability within their respective roles, with representation spanning across different ages, backgrounds and experiences.
From education and climate action, to the built environment and green finance, the new commissioners are from a range of sectors. They will sit on the board until November 2028, shaping London’s social, environmental and economic vision. They include:
- Alyssa Gilbert – Co-Director, Imperial College London School of Sustainability; Director, Undaunted
- Antonia Jennings – Chief Executive, Centre for London
- Ben Smith – Director and Group Leader, Climate and Sustainability Services, Arup
- Brendan Curran – Visiting Senior Policy Fellow, Sustainable Finance, LSE
- Calum Handforth – Senior Adviser, Digital and Tech, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
- Jacob Heitland – Director of Climate Action, Newham Council, and Deputy Chair, LEDNet (nominated by LEDNet)
- Clover Hogan – Founder, Force of Nature
- David Mooney – CEO, London Wildlife Trust
- Julia Lamb – Nature Programmes Executive, Tesco; Youth Board Member, London Wildlife Trust
- Martha Grekos – Director Barrister, Martha Grekos Legal Consultancy
- Tayshan Hayden-Smith – Founder & Creative Director, Grow to Know; Director of Sustainability, Maxilla City CiC
- Venus Galarza – Principal Policy Manager for Energy Retail Markets, Citizens Advice
Alongside the new commissioners, there are six continuing commissioners:
- Dr Ashok Sinha – CEO, Ashden – will continue as Chair of the LSDC
- Maria Adebowale-Schwarte – Director and Founder, the Living Space Project
- Syed Ahmed – Director, Energy for London
- Charlotte Wood – London Director, Environment Agency (nominated by the Environment Agency)
- Leonie Cooper AM – Co-chair, London Assembly Environment Committee (nominated by the London Assembly)
- Cllr Jo Blackman – Transport and Environment Committee member, Redbridge Council (nominated by London Councils)
The new commission is set to work on a range of priorities for London, relating to the net zero 2030 target and beyond. Their work will focus on environmental, social and economic impacts of the transition to a greener London, ensuring no Londoner is left behind. Work is already underway looking at ways to influence environmental and social policies within the London Plan.
Since its establishment in 2002, commissioners have provided strategic guidance to support the Mayor’s sustainability goals including delivering a just transition to net zero by 2030. The LCSC’s past achievements include its work in ensuring sustainability was at the heart of the 2012 Olympic Games, continuous reporting and research on London’s progress towards the UN’s SDGs, and the 2018 launch of its Women in Cleantech work identifies ways to address the gender disparity in London’s low-carbon economy.
More recently the LCSC has published work on London’s green finance scene, paving the way for the Mayor to deliver his Green Finance Fund. In 2024, their social value report focused on recommendations for how the London Plan could deliver more social benefits to create a greener and healthier London. In May this year, they published guidance on how to make home retrofits programmes more inclusive for all Londoners, as part of their Just Transition programme.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am thrilled to appoint these new commissioners to the LCSC and mark another milestone in London’s journey to net zero. Their individual impact in climate change, community work and social justice has been significant, and I’m looking forward to seeing the future work of the LCSC as we build a better, greener London for everyone.”
Dr Ashok Sinha, Chair of LCSC, said: “As we look towards the next year and beyond, I am hopeful these new commissioners will continue to lead London towards a sustainable future. Alongside bringing in a fresh perspective and new ideas to the commission, we’re excited to see how the breadth of their expertise can level up our work at the LCSC.”
Antonia Jennings, new LCSC Commissioner and CEO, Centre for London, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the London Climate and Sustainability Commission at a vital time for the capital's sustainability journey. The LCSC provides a fantastic vehicle to support this process, bringing together some of the city's forefront sustainability experts to advise the work of City Hall and the Mayor.”