Inaugural Climate Trust Glass Door Committee

Kasey Krifka, The Climate Trust
Live on P.R. Web –  originally published June 25, 2015

This summer, The Climate Trust, a mission-driven nonprofit that specializes in financing climate solutions, will be launching a Glass Door Committee of external expert advisors to provide insight and transparency on its carbon credit acquisitions efforts. This is a first-of-its-kind committee structure for this carbon market veteran.

The six committee members that have elected to join The Trust, will assess any foreseeable perception benefits and risks associated with selecting a project for review and possible contract negotiations. This feedback will, in turn, inform The Trust’s internal Risk Management Committee which will have final authority to sanction contract negotiations.

The Trust recruited committed members who believe in our mission and are willing to serve as active advisors. We are pleased to announce that the high-caliber of professionals joining our ranks include: Jonathan Fink, Vice President for Research and Strategic Partnerships at Portland State University; Kelley Hamrick, Senior Associate at Forest Trends’ Ecosystem Marketplace; Shanna Brownstein, Manager, Government and Community Affairs at NW Natural; Debbie Reed, Executive Director at Coalition on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases; Janet Peace, Senior Vice President, Policy and Business Strategy at Center for Climate and Energy Solutions; and Michael Ferrucci, President at Interforest, LLC and Instructor at Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

“We believe that this work has never been more important than it is today, because as markets mature and complexity increases, thorough due diligence and transparency is vital,” said Sean Penrith, executive director for The Climate Trust. “We are excited at the positive responses we’ve received, and know that our inaugural Committee will be a strong asset in evaluating The Trust’s future endeavors.”

The intention of the committee is to enhance the scope and rigor of The Trust’s evaluation and approvals process. Glass Door members will review projects and offer their insights on the project sector, partners and the environmental, social and economic benefits as well as potential risks. The Trust’s Senior Marketing Communications Manager, Kasey Krifka, will serve as the liaison to this Committee, facilitating regular feedback sessions and filtering the results to the Risk Management Committee.

The recruitment efforts for this committee have been specific to contacts within the circles of Academia, Policy, Marketing, Media and those with knowledge of the sectors where The Trust’s work is focused—forestry, agriculture and biogas.

If you are interested in submitting your name for consideration for future Glass Door membership or know someone who may be a fit, please contact us at communications@climatetrust.org.