Pretty, who is also an environment academic at the University of Essex, said the commission’s work had been superb and had helped to deliver environmental improvements across the county.
The commission is an independent organisation launched in 2020 by the last Conservative administration of Essex County Council, with cross-party support.
It produced a 100-point action plan, external to make Essex carbon neutral.
Sixty-four of those actions are in progress or in place – the commission says – including new planning and building regulations that will see more energy efficient homes with lower bills built in Essex.
Laura Mansel-Thomas, a senior partner at building design company Ingleton Wood, is one of the commissioners.
She said “tough targets for carbon and energy reduction” had delivered “low-carbon and resilient school buildings”.
Roger Morris, who is Bishop of Colchester and is also a commissioner, added: “This is not just bad news for the environment, it is bad news for Essex.”
He warned it “will cost the people of Essex millions of pounds in new investment and jobs”.
Labour district councillor Ivan Henderson, based in Harwich, warned it could undermine plans for a clean, green energy investment in the East of England.
Conservative Lee Scott, opposition leader on Essex County Council, said: “We cannot deny climate change.
“It is not an answer to say it has been going on for millions of years. Whatever the causes may or may not be. If we ignore it, what are we doing to our children and our grandchildren?”