Climate non-profit Verra has appointed Mandy Rambharos as its new CEO. She brings in substantial experience in carbon markets from her role as negotiatior for South Africa and Africa for a broad spectrum of climate initiatives at the United Nations.
Verra board chairperson Ken Markowitz commented on the appointment by saying: “We are delighted to welcome [Rambharos] as our new CEO. Her experience is unparalleled, and we are confident that her poise and expertise in organisational excellence and her decades of work in the carbon markets will allow her to hit the ground running on day one and lead Verra.
We look forward to an exciting future under her leadership. On behalf of the entire board, I would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to [Simon] for her leadership and dedication during this transition period. Her commitment has been invaluable, ensuring stability and continuity for our organisation.”
Rambharos joins Verra from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where she held the position of VP for global climate cooperation with a focus on carbon pricing and markets.
This is also not the first involvement of Rambharos with Verra. She has had two stints on the board of directors of the organization – from 2019 to 2021 and from 2023 until now – something that will likely allow her to quickly find her feet in this new phase.
“I am honoured to lead the organisation I have had the privilege to work with as a board member. As I assume this new role, I will drive strong governance, responsive global stakeholder engagement that is inclusive and transparent, efficient processes with quick turnaround times, and that ultimately deliver our common goal—reducing carbon emissions for a climate-resilient, flourishing planet for all,” Rambharos said.
Carbon market scrutiny
The appointment follows a period of pressure for carbon markets with organizations like South Pole, SBTi and Verra parting ways with their executives under intense media pressure, that has highlighted issues with how the markets function and questioned their effectiveness in fighting climate change.
Despite this markets have been showing signs of potential growth, which has been supported by efforts to create more transparency and ensure real impact from the use of carbon credits.
“Carbon markets are crucial to enable carbon neutrality and they must work efficiently and with unquestionable integrity. I look forward to working with the talented people at Verra to deliver these outcomes for a climate-resilient future for us all,” Rambharos said.
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