The Board of the Carbon Market Institute (CMI) today announced that the Chief Executive Officer John Connor is to step down from his role effective 4 July.
During his six-year tenure CMI has played a key role as Australia’s climate policies have evolved from voluntary to compliance carbon markets. Bipartisan support emerged for net zero emissions by 2050 and there has been significant focus on the integrity of carbon crediting frameworks here and overseas. In that time CMI’s membership doubled.
Chair of the Board, Dr Kerry Schott AO said: “John has been instrumental in raising the profile and increase the influence of carbon markets as an investment driver in emission reduction and climate solutions, leading the sector during a period of evolution, challenges and achievements.”
John and CMI played a significant role as the Albanese Government introduced reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism in 2024. These reforms significantly increase responsibility on large emitting facilities to invest in decarbonisation.
“John also helped progress critical reforms to ACCU scheme integrity and method development which, after the election outcomes provided policy certainty, should be finalised at pace and urgency.”
“John leaves a great legacy at CMI and has positioned CMI well to take on further development and expansion in its push for accelerated and ambitious investment towards net zero by 2025.”
“On behalf of the Board and team at CMI, I wish to thank him for his service to the industry and the Institute. We wish him well in his future endeavours,” concluded Schott.
John Connor, CEO CMI, said: “I am extremely proud of the achievements of the CMI team over the last six years. Carbon policies now have greater certainty, integrity improvements are well advanced and there are demonstrable achievements in climate as well as nature and history repair. There is much to do but important progress has been made.”
“As well as policy and investment achievements, I’ve been proud that CMI has worked towards genuine partnership with Indigenous carbon industry leaders. CMI has also expanded engagement into the Asia Pacific under Paris Agreement backed international cooperation frameworks as well as emerging domestic compliance and voluntary initiatives.
“I would like to thank Kerry and the board and team members, as well as members and stakeholders who have supported me along this six-year journey,” concluded Connor.
The CMI Board has commenced its search to appoint a new CEO to lead the organisation into its next phase.
