The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Jacobs and Gunhild A. Stordalen to its Supervisory Board.

As of 1 June 2011, Michael Jacobs will be representing the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to the ECF Board and will take over from Kate Hampton. The ECF team would like to pay sincere thanks to Kate for her dedication and commitment to the ECF mission.

Mr. Jacobs is an economist, writer and consultant on energy and climate change policy. He is Visiting Professor at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and in the School of Public Policy at University College London.

Until May 2010, he was Special Adviser to the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, with responsibility for the development and coordination of the government’s strategy on international climate change policy and negotiations, and for the development, coordination and delivery of domestic energy, climate change, environment and agriculture policy. He provided personal political and strategy advice and speech writing for the Prime Minister.

He was formerly a member of the Council of Economic Advisers at HM Treasury, General Secretary of the Fabian Society, a Research Fellow at Lancaster University and the LSE, and Managing Director of a public and voluntary sector consultancy business. He is the author of a number of books, reports and academic papers on environmental economics and philosophy, politics and public policy.

>Mr. Jacobs said: ”I am very much looking forward to joining the ECF Board on behalf of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.  The ECF plays a critical role in supporting the progressive decarbonisation of Europe and ensuring that the EU maintains global leadership on climate change.  I hope I can contribute to this vital work.”

Gunhild A. Stordalen will be representing the Stordalen Foundation to the ECF Board. Mrs. Stordalen is a medical graduate from the University of Oslo, holds a Ph.D. in pathology/orthopedics, and is currently working at the Department of Surgery, Oslo University Hospital. She and her husband Petter A. Stordalen have initiated and implemented major social and environmental projects and standards within the Nordic Choice Hospitality Group (NCHG.)

Mrs. Stordalen is key sponsor and a member of the Board of the ZERO Emission Resource Organization, a Norwegian organization dedicated to working for solutions that provide zero emissions and no damage to the environment. She is among the key initiators and organizers of the annual Zero Emission Conference, gathering more than 1000 politicians, decision makers, business people and environmentalists each year.

Mrs. Stordalen has been a strong public voice for both environmental issues and the fight against the fur industry. She is a sponsor and spokeswoman of the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance, and has fronted a major campaign lobbying for a legal ban on the fur industry in Norway.

Mrs. Stordalen said: “As a medical doctor, I see no greater threat to human health than climate change and the environmental challenges we are facing. The ECF is a gravitational center in European climate issues. I am delighted to join the highly qualified Board and make sure the ECF continues to be that active catalyst for the transition to a prosperous zero emission future.”

John McCall MacBain, Chairman of the ECF’s Board, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Michael Jacobs and Gunhild A. Stordalen to the ECF Supervisory Board. Mr. Jacobs brings a wealth of expertise and his background in politics and academia will contribute tremendously to the ECF mission. Mrs. Stordalen brings considerable experience and important skills to the role. Her track record as a campaigner on carbon-free solutions amongst other things will make her an invaluable addition to the ECF family and we look forward to her passionate contributions to our efforts.”

This announcement follows the appointment last year of Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mrs. Robinson is currently President of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice.

The ECF was established in early 2008 as a major philanthropic initiative to promote climate and energy policies that greatly reduce Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions and to help Europe play an even stronger international leadership role to mitigate climate change. The organisation’s goal is to see CO2 emissions into the atmosphere reduced by 80% by 2050.

The ECF is affiliated with the ClimateWorks Network and is the core of the ClimateWorks system in Europe. The ClimateWorks Foundation supports public policies that prevent dangerous climate change and promote global prosperity.

The full list of ECF Supervisory Board members is available here.