Nicolette Bartlett

Executive level sustainability strategy leader. Former CIO at CDP. Global experience driving impact; greening finance; sustainable business & supply chains; fundraising; accounting standards; transition plans.

United Kingdom

About

Senior executive leader with 20+ years of global experience driving corporate sustainability, science-based target adoption, and climate–nature strategy integration. A founding trustee of the Science-Based Targets initiative and Co-Chair of Working Group 3 of the UK Transition Plan Taskforce, with a proven track record of embedding transition plans and science-based targets into corporate and investor strategies worldwide. Expert in aligning disclosure and reporting with global ESG and climate–nature frameworks (ISSB, TNFD, SFDR, IFRS S2), green finance, and in influencing policy and market standards. Former Chief Impact Officer at CDP, leading a 120-person global department and oversaw an annual grant income budget of $25 - 30M. Served as CDP’s principal external spokesperson for 18 months, engaging C-suite leaders, policymakers, media, and representing the organisation in high-level fora worldwide. Recognised for strategic thinking, vision-driven leadership, compelling public speaking, and delivering transformative outcomes under pressure across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Proven track record of thought leadership featured in high-profile outlets, influencing institutions like the IMF and World Bank, making a meaningful impact on sustainability practices.

Experience

  • Climate and Nature Finance - strategic advisor (freelance) at Self-employed
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

    Strategic advisor to climate tech. start-ups, fractional COO for Point One, a not-for-proft driving corporate investment into clean energy projects in the developing world.

  • Associate Member Senior Combination Room (SCR) at Churchill College, University of Cambridge
    Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

    Foster collaboration on sustainability within the college and Cambridge.

  • Member of the Expert Advisory Group at VCMI
    Aug 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

    Guide technical strategy and provide advice.

  • Senior Associate at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
    Jun 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 1 mo

    Contribute to research on sustainability and speak on climate strategies with companies, policymakers, investors.

  • CDP (9 yrs 5 mos)
    • Senior Advisor
      May 2025 - Nov 2025 · 7 mos

      • Advise the senior leadership team on stakeholder‑relations strategy, new‑product development, and thought‑leadership positioning. • Serve as a key liaison with external partners, institutions and donors, to raise funds and amplify CDP’s influence

    • Chief Impact Officer
      Oct 2021 - Apr 2025 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      • Led a global department of ~120 staff, overseeing climate, biodiversity, water‑security, deforestation, waste, sustainable procurement, sustainable finance programmes. • Managed the grant‑income portfolio, raising ~£25M annually and securing two new major donors and the organisation's biggest single grant in FY 2023/24. • Accountable for CDP's strategy to drive impact and ensure corporate and finance alignment with climate and nature goals • Accountable for the scientific data integrity within CDP’s reporting framework; dataset; scoring, including GHG inventories (Scope 1-3); SBTi; Transition Plans; SBTn. • Championed Science Based Targets (SBTi) and Net Zero initiatives, helped establish the SBTi as an independent organisation and serving as a founding trustee. • Catalysed a global discussion on Transition Plans and co‑chaired Working Group 3 of the UK Transition Plan Taskforce, shaping global corporate climate disclosure standards. • Acted as CDP’s principal external spokesperson (June 2022 – Dec 2023), representing the organization at C‑suite forums, industry associations, policy roundtables, and high‑profile media events. • Directed the Integration of IFRS S2, TCFD, TNFD, CSRD, GHGP and SBTi standards, amongst others, into CDP’s question bank, dataset and scoring methodology. • Designed metrics and dashboards to track impact and climate performance of companies and financial institutions • Ecosystem Partnerships – Executive Sponsor for many of CDP’s strategic partnerships. Led the creation of strategic partnerships with the IFRS Foundation; the Net Zero Data Public Utility; the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group; Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP); Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Risk.

    • Executive Director
      Sep 2020 - Oct 2021 · 1 yr 2 mos

      • Crafted CDP’s 2025 strategic plan, chairing a trustees’ sub‑committee and securing cross‑office buy‑in across 15+ locations. • Deputized for the CEO in external forums, leading high‑visibility media engagements and policy dialogues. • Oversaw a multidisciplinary team of scientists, finance experts, and sustainability practitioners, guiding R&D into emerging environmental topics.