The Carbon Market Institute (CMI) has announced the appointment of its first Indigenous Board Member, Clark Donovan – a proud Gumbaynggirr and Gunditjmara man, and Associate Director of Indigenous Carbon at The Commonwealth Bank.
Mr. Donovan was appointed to the position made vacant by the departure of ANZ Bank’s Katherine Tapley in November and was part of a dedicated application and interview process.
CMI’s Chair Kerry Schott said the announcement was an important part of CMI’s ongoing Indigenous Engagement Strategy and in ensuring financial market skills and a diversity of voices are represented on the CMI Board:
“Mr. Donovan brings a unique balance of innate cultural and practical industry knowledge to the role alongside his strong financial markets experience. CMI looks forward to working with Mr. Donovan to strengthen its pre-existing relationships in the Indigenous community, and to support ongoing and increased Indigenous participation in the carbon market more broadly.”
“We note that Mr. Donovan was one of several applicants for the position, and we thank those other candidates that were not successful this time for their applications and time. Mr. Donovan’s appointment marks an important step forward in CMI’s own organisational efforts towards reconciliation, and the representation of diverse voices.” Dr. Schott concluded.
The recent 7th Carbon Farming Industry Forum was Mr. Donovan’s first formal engagement as CMI Board Member, contributing to a town hall discussion on key principles of respectful engagement, building community trust, and strengthening Indigenous participation across the broader carbon value chain.
Commenting on his successful appointment, Mr Donovan said:
“As a member of the Carbon Market Institute board, I am humbled to have the opportunity to amplify the voices of First Nations communities. I believe that the carbon market gives First Nations peoples the opportunity to remain connected to their traditional lands and also gives them the chance to take control of their own economic freedom. I’m excited to work with the board to implement strategies that promote the inclusion of First Nations perspectives in the carbon market.”
About the Carbon Market Institute
The Carbon Market Institute (CMI) is a member-based institute accelerating the transition towards a negative emissions, nature positive world. It champions best practice in carbon markets and climate policy, and its over 150 members include primary producers, carbon project developers, Indigenous organisations, legal, technology and advisory services, insurers, banks, investors, corporate entities and emission intensive industries. The positions put forward constitute CMI’s independent view and do not purport to represent any CMI individual, member company, or industry sector.
For further information, contact Thomas Hann on 0408 880 536 or thomas.hann@carbonmarketinstitute.org
