John Ashton, Chief Executive of E3G (Third Generation Environmentalism), has been appointed as the UK Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced today.
John Ashton will support Mrs Beckett and UK Ministers in helping to build a stronger political foundation for international action on climate change. He will work closely with other government departments as well as national and international stakeholders to create the conditions for an accelerated shift in investment towards a low carbon global economy, including through the Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development, launched at last year’s Gleneagles Summit. He will report directly to the Foreign Secretary.
John Ashton will be seconded from E3G to the FCO and will take up his new position in the week beginning 19 June. Nick Mabey, a co-founder of E3G with Tom Burke and John Ashton, will become its Chief Executive.
John Ashton commented:
“The UK is in a strong position to help shape the next stage of the global response to climate change. I am honoured to be given this opportunity to support the Foreign Secretary in contributing to that effort. The next few years will be critical in moving to a level that matches the scale and urgency of the challenge. Climate change is a threat to peace and stability. The assets of the foreign policy community worldwide need to be fully engaged in pursuit of climate security”
Nick Mabey commented:
“E3G is delighted that John Ashton has been appointed to such an important role in the UK government. We see this as an endorsement of the E3G approach to delivering real outcomes through informal diplomacy and coalition building. We will miss the vision, energy and commitment that John has brought to E3G during its founding stage, but will use the firm base he has established to develop and grow the organisation.”
