Company Updates

New appointment for Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee

Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee

The Australian Government has appointed Suzanne Thompson to the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC), the statutory body responsible for ensuring the integrity of Australia’s carbon crediting scheme.

Carbon credits are the net in net-zero so it’s critical they have integrity. The Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units recommended reforming ERAC as the Carbon Abatement Integrity Committee, with adjusted functions and terms of reference including a full-time chair and First Nations member.

The appointment of Thompson, a traditional custodian of the Iningai lands, is a step in implementing this recommendation.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the government is taking a range of measures to help bolster participation by First Nations peoples in Australia’s carbon market.

“Suzanne Thompson brings a wealth of experience and a respected voice from Indigenous communities to the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee,” Minister Bowen said.

The appointment of Thompson as First Nations member follows the appointment of Professor Karen Hussey, as full time ERAC Chair in October this year.

Thompson is the Director of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network, a member of Landcare Australia’s First Nations Landcare Working Group and Chair of Australian Native Foods and Botanicals.

The ERAC will continue independently to consider and provide advice on the integrity of methods until the new Integrity Committee’s structure and functions are legislated.

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