The Surrey Climate Commission was launched in June 2019, and is formed from a collaboration of organisations, including University of Surrey, Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Siemens, the World Wildlife Fund, Surrey Wildlife Trust and community groups from across the county.

Our members are drawn from over 140 groups working to protect the climate from across the county.

We are an independent body playing a key role in supporting and guiding the transition of the country towards a carbon neutral future.

The commission exists to provide a joined-up approach with the aim of making Surrey a climate leader, generating clear local benefit whilst helping to tackle this global crisis.

Aim

Our aim is to provide an independent and authoritative voice to all organisations in Surrey, whether they are in the private, public or third sector, helping them contribute to the county reaching its necessary climate target, to avoid the damaging effects of runaway climate change.

We are producing a transformative action plan that aims to reduce both direct emissions in Surrey and the indirect impacts of our residents and businesses, and that can drive a transition to new models of sustainable business and community.

The first stage of the action plan began with the launch of a baseline study conducted by University of Surrey in 2021. We believe it was the first study to include Scope 3 emissions – so it examines our carbon footprint based on purchased goods and services, including their supply chain, that we consume in the county.

It was commissioned to help our understanding of the impacts and successes of policy interventions, and to identify projects for rapid decarbonisation, amongst other aims.

It has helped us identify the primary causes of emissions in the county and the data is helping to inform grass roots organisations, and public sector groups, including Surrey County Council.

In 2023, we launched our systems change programme of work to help Surrey understand "What's Stopping Us Stopping Climate Change" and what can be done.

Structures and Members

The Surrey Climate Commission is a community interest group. It is chaired by Richard Essex (council member of Surrey Chambers of Commerce) and has a board of four directors. The Commission is steered by a core group of twelve members.

A primary focus is to support and empower community groups because they are Surrey's local champions, trusted by Surrey's communities. We created the Surrey Climate e-Forum to enable community groups to share guidance and information, and learn from each other. 

Read more about what we do, our achievements and our personnel, in the Surrey Climate Commission brochure, below.