The Australian Government has appointed Suzanne Thompson to the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC).
ERAC is the statutory body responsible for ensuring the integrity of Australia's carbon crediting scheme.
The Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units recommended reforming the ERAC as the Carbon Abatement Integrity Committee, with adjusted functions and terms of reference. The Review also recommended appointing a full-time chair of the Integrity Committee and a First Nations member. The Australian Government accepted in principle all 16 recommendations and with Ms Thompson's appointment, is continuing to progress their implementation.
As the First Nations member on the ERAC, Ms Thompson will work to support increased participation in and benefit from Australia's carbon crediting scheme for First Nations communities.
Ms Thompson is an Indigenous Australian from Central West Queensland. She brings a wealth of experience to the role including current roles as:
- Director of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network
- Member of Landcare Australia's Indigenous Landcare Working Group
- Chair of Australian Native Foods and Botanicals
- Founder of the Yambangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation
The appointment of Ms Thompson as First Nations member follows the appointment of Professor Karen Hussey, as full time ERAC Chair in October this year.
This is another step on the path to net zero.
