London: Climate Group is announcing today the Hon Mike Rann, AC CNZM as Chair of the UK Board. Mike has been a UK Trustee since 2017. He has also served as a Director on the North American Board since 2018. He will be stepping into his new role from Monday, 14 March 2022.
Mike was Premier of South Australia from 2002 to 2011. He was also Climate Change Minister, the first in Australia and one of the first in the world, passing groundbreaking carbon reduction legislation that was used as a model internationally. When he was elected in 2002, South Australia had zero renewables. It now generates more than 60% of its electricity from wind and solar and will reach 100% by the end of this decade.
While Premier, Mike was Chair of Climate Group's States and Regions Alliance - now part of the Under2 Coalition - a network of state and regional governments across every continent sharing policy ideas and identifying solutions for driving climate action.
Speaking of the appointment, Mike said:
"Climate Group's mission of driving climate action, fast, has never been more important, as we approach a critical juncture for climate action. As a Trustee, I'm immensely proud of our work in mobilising governments and businesses around the world to take action, in key high emitting sectors such as energy, transport, industry, and the built environment."
Mike was unanimously selected by the board in a formal process to succeed current Chair Joan MacNaughton, CB Hon FEI, who announced her intention to step down at the end of her tenure in 2022. Joan has been in post as Chair since 2016, and previously Trustee since 2013.
He added: "I'd like to thank my predecessor Joan, whose inspiring leadership has seen an extraordinary growth in the Climate Group's influence, membership and reach around the world. I'm looking forward to working even more closely with our CEO Helen Clarkson and her team as we call on our partners for even more urgency on climate action."
Helen Clarkson, CEO, Climate Group said:
"We're proud to announce Mike as Chair today. His global political experience on climate change will help us strengthen our approach to engaging even more stakeholders around the world in the climate challenge ahead."
"My thanks go to Joan, who has been an exceptional Chair in leading us to where we are today; a thriving and growing international team, working with a network of over 500 multinationals and 260 governments, turning bold commitments into action."
