Rachel joined CSE in 2005 and is a leading expert in the community energy sector. Rachel has played a pivotal role in developing CSE’s work on community energy and low carbon planning, and has particular skills and understanding regarding the planning system, sustainable energy in heritage settings, and the central role of community consultation and consent as a foundation of successful local projects.
Rachel has now become Programme Director of our Climate Emergency Strategic Support programme, supporting councils and organisations that have declared climate emergencies. She sits across CSE’s main teams in order to draw on staff and expertise from across the organisation to provide tailored support, skills and tools as required by each council or organisation.
Rachel established CSE’s work on supporting community renewables, via the award-winning PlanLoCal programme. She also developed CSE’s support programme for low-carbon Neighbourhood Planning, our partnership work with the National Trust and English Heritage on improving energy efficiency in historic buildings, and our youth empowerment scheme Bright Green Future. Rachel oversees the delivery of a range of grant and support programmes at CSE, including Next Generation, Thrive Renewable Communities, Powering Up, and Open LV.
Rachel has a BSc in Environmental Science from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc in Forest Management from the Royal Agricultural College and an MA in Policy and the Environment from the Open University. Rachel was elected as a councillor for Cotswold District Council in 2019, where she is also Cabinet Member for Planning Policy, Climate Change and Energy. Rachel sits on the Steering Group for the Big Lottery Fund’s £30m youth environment programme, Our Bright Future.
rachel.coxcoon@cse.org.uk | 0117 934 1426
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