About the Lincoln Climate Commission
The Lincoln Climate Commission is an independent advisory body that supports, guides and mobilises climate action across Lincoln. It brings together a wide range of leaders from the public, private, and third sectors to collaborate on delivering ambitious climate action across the city.
Meet the Commissioners
We are made up of Commissioners who are appointed as individuals and are recognised sector leaders, bringing a wealth of personal experience, expertise and extensive networks from across the region and nationally & internationally.
Ed Crowther
Ed is the founder of My Square Metre, a Lincoln-based nature and biodiversity business focused on practical, measurable climate action through nature-based solutions. His work centres on creating and supporting wildflower meadows, pollinator habitats, and small-scale greening projects that restore biodiversity, strengthen local resilience, and make places healthier and more livable.
Mike Hudson
Mike is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. His engineering career started with the Ministry of Defence, building Chieftain tanks at the Leeds factory. After graduating from the University of Bath, Mike worked for Barfords before moving to Lincoln to join Ruston Gas Turbines and later, Siemens. Mike has also served 16 years as a North Kesteven district councillor.
John Firth
John has over 30 years’ experience in climate risk management, supporting governments, businesses and communities to adapt and build resilience. A global speaker and advocate for the transition from fossil fuels, he translates climate science into practical action. He is a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Society of Arts, a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, an Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool, and a Director and Trustee of the United Nations Association Greater Lincolnshire.
Libby John
After completing a PhD at the University of British Columbia, Libby moved to the UK in 1992 to lecture in ecology at the University of Sussex. In 2012, Libby became the Founding Head of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Lincoln, later serving as Head of the College of Science and then Dean of Sustainability, before becoming Emeritus Professor in 2025. Libby am now Chair of Trustees at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, bringing a nature-focused perspective to addressing the climate crisis.
Claire Lea
Claire is a passionate sustainability professional with over 25 years of experience working in a diverse range of sustainability roles. Her career has spanned director-level leadership within a professional body, independent sustainability consultancy, project management, and is currently the Sustainability Manager at the University of Lincoln – focussed on sustainability of the university estate and how sustainability can be embedded into all programmes. Claire is keen to use her skills and experience to address the climate and biodiversity crises through her work with the Climate Commission.
John Thomas
John has spent 35 years in design and print with advanced skills in negotiation, print management, advertising, sales, account management, exhibition, retail, sports, and large format graphic production and installation. John works for a local B Corp-certified business that believes in looking after people and the planet. Since 2008, he has worked within the business to build environmental responsibility into the way it operates, from reducing waste and energy use to supporting customers with sustainable solutions.
Ali Talbot
With over 30 years’ senior leadership experience across the public, private and third sectors, Ali specialises in strategy, communications, and the management of charities and environmental, sport, leisure and cultural services. Ali is the Chief Executive of Green Synergy and has previously served as CEO of Headliners (UK) and Cerebral Palsy Sport, as well as RNIB’s National Leisure Services Manager.
A passionate advocate for green spaces and community wellbeing, Ali am committed to helping Lincoln move towards net zero.
Kelly Evans
Kelly is the Founder/ Director of Social Change – an award-winning behaviour change agency dedicated to taking on society’s biggest issues. Kelly works with the UK government, businesses and the public sector to design solutions and deliver campaigns and programmes that focus on positively changing people’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. Her research in behaviour change and the use of behavioural science in her work over the last two decades has influenced policy and changes in the law.
Dr Andy Brookes
Dr Andy Brookes has more than 30 years’ experience as a manager in several organisations across the public and private sector. He has managed improvement programmes and initiatives in both manufacturing and service settings, including glass manufacture, civil engineering and local government. Andy is an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Lincoln and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His academic research explores sustainability from the perspective of the societal and organisational transitions required to address the global challenges and social problems that are currently impacting on human and ecological well-being.
Rhianna is the Climate Change Manager at the City of Lincoln Council, leading on the development and coordination of the Council’s climate policies, strategic initiatives and action plans to address the impacts of climate change in Lincoln. Before joining the council, Rhianna worked in energy efficiency, specifically on government-funded retrofit projects. She previously worked at the Midlands Net Zero Hub, Nottingham Energy Partnership and held consultancy roles providing secretariat support for trade associations in the domestic energy efficiency and retrofit sector.
Ellie Good
Ellie is the Chief Purpose Officer at Reuseabox, a movement of businesses working to reduce their environmental impact through cardboard reuse. Ellie is the driving force behind many of Reuseabox’s most impactful initiatives, including the company’s successful journey to becoming B Corp certified. Committed to connecting purpose-driven businesses locally, Ellie co-hosts People Planet Pint in Lincoln, a relaxed networking event that brings together sustainability leaders, innovators, and changemakers to share ideas and build community around climate action. This grassroots effort reflects her belief in the power of conversation and collaboration to drive long-term change.
Debbie Mace
Debbie is an Occupational Therapist by background and became the first Wayapa Wuurrk (Earth Connection) practitioner in Europe, a practice that helps people to reconnect with nature and deliver ‘Generational Wellness’. Alongside her practice, Debbie works closely within the Lincoln community, connecting with local groups and organisations to embed the Doughnut Economics (DE) model within the Lincoln community, working closely with Local Motion, Climate Hope Lincoln and the business community.
Chris Smith
Chris Smith is a Project Manager working across strategic growth at the Lincoln College Group, playing a key role in cross‑college transformation and analysing the organisation’s response to sustainability challenges. His recent work includes decarbonisation of the Group’s estate, developing practices to reduce carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency. Chris began his career in the commercial radio sector, spending six years leading complex, fast‑paced projects across programming, operations and audience engagement. Alongside his work in broadcast media, he maintained a strong connection to education by supporting learning‑focused initiatives and community projects.
