Rosa Foster

Profile

I am passionate about climate adaptation, nature, people, equity, and collaborating to rapidly reduce carbon emissions.

I have 21 years experience of operational delivery leadership across a range of environmental disciplines for the Environment Agency. I have been involved in the Leeds and Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commissions since their inceptions and formally became Climate Commissions Director at the University of Leeds in May 2024. Within the university I am Chair of the Supporting a Net Zero City Delivery Working Group, which is a core componet of the Univerisity’s Climate Plan – an ambitious change programme spanning across all aspects of the University’s work. I am also a member of the Yorkshire and Humber Forestry and Woodland Advisory Committee.

Both the Leeds and Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commissions are independent with cross party support. They convene leaders from across all sectors to support, guide and mobilise ambitious, fair and integrated action on climate and nature across city and regional scales.
The Commissions’ are evidence led, and focus on creating the well informed spaces needed to explore the difficult issues that we face constructively, seeking shared solutions, catalysing new ideas and celebrating success.

Being the Climate Commissions Director, and working with so many fantastic and determined individuals and organisations is a privilege and gives me much hope that our future can still be a positive one.

Responsibilities

• Leeds Climate Commission Director
• Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission Director
• Supporting a Net Zero City Delivery Working Group Chair

Qualifications

• PRINCE2 & Managing Successful Programmes – Foundation
• MSc (Hons) Water Management, Cranfield University.
• BSc (Hons) Applied Geology, Kingston University, London.