In January, Clare Fussell was appointed as our new Bright Now Campaign Director. Having previously led The Climate Coalition, managed Christian Aid’s Campaign Team and served as Environmental Adviser for the Diocese of Bristol, Clare has an impressive campaigning background, and we’re excited to have her leading our team. Here, Clare reflects on joining Operation Noah.
By Clare Fussell, Bright Now Campaign Director
As some of you may know, in 2022 Operation Noah was shortlisted in the ‘David and Goliath’ category for a prestigious campaigning award. This aptly sums up what an impressive, collaborative and impactful organisation it is, punching well above its weight as it succeeds in transforming church action on climate change.
This is one of the reasons that I’m so thrilled to be joining the team as Campaign Director at this exciting time, as we continue to help churches to create positive change to tackle the climate crisis through their investments. Not only are we calling for divestment, but also ramping up efforts to influence faith-consistent investment across churches nationwide and explore better use of church land to help turn the tide on biodiversity loss.
I’ve been aware of Operation Noah’s work for over a decade, and have worked alongside the team in various coalition activities such as coordinating the Pilgrimage to Paris for COP15, as well as helping to persuade CofE dioceses to divest while at Bristol Diocese. Before working within the CofE, I held a number of posts coordinating environmental campaigns, including leading The Climate Coalition and managing Christian Aid’s Campaign Team. I am passionate about linking our Christian faith with environmental action, and so it’s a true joy to be able to do that through this role.
Outside work, I enjoy learning about permaculture and biodiversity through my role as trustee of Hazelnut Community Farm in Bristol, which is a network of church growing projects that aim to give away the majority of their produce to help tackle food poverty. I am also involved in the Eco Church work at my church, which gained a Gold Award in 2023. I am married to Luke, who’s a renewable energy engineer, and we have two young children.