Jess Pepper

Pepper is a Scottish environmentalist who was trained by Al Gore in Chicago, United States, in 2013.^[1][2]

In 2015, Pepper founded the Climate Café initiative,^[3] where people come together in a community-led safe space to drink, talk and act on climate change, at the Arts Centre in the village of Birnam, Perthshire, Scotland.^[4] As of 2024, there are 16 cafés in Scotland and a network of cafés around the world,^[5] which Pepper connects and supports.^[6]

Pepper has discussed tackling climate change with politicians including Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) John Swinney.^[4] Climate Café has also held pop-up cafés at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow^[4] and at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.^[2] In 2024, Pepper was the keynote speaker at The Church of Scotland's Eco-Congregation Scotland gathering in Stirling.^[5][7]

Pepper has previously worked for Scottish Environment Link, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and WWF Scotland.^[8] She also led the #lovemybus programme for Transform Scotland.^[1] In October 2022, she became Director of the Board of Trustees of the Scottish charity Paths for All.^[1]

Pepper was named a BBC 100 Woman in 2023.^[2][6][9] She is an honorary fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.^[6]