Eco-Markets Australia Appoints Wilfred Finn as Chair
Eco-Markets Australia is proud to announce the appointment of Wilfred Finn as Chair of the Eco-Markets Australia Board, following Jo Sheppard’s departure. Wilf, one of the inaugural Directors on the Eco-Markets Australia Board for the past 3 ½ years, steps into this leadership role at a pivotal time as Eco-Markets Australia solidifies its position as a national leader in environmental markets.
A Proven Leader in Environmental Law and Markets
With over 20 years of experience in environmental law, Wilf has been instrumental in shaping Australia’s water, environmental, and carbon markets. His contributions include playing a key role in the development of the nation’s water markets with the National Water Commission and involvement in the implementation of the Clean Energy Package and carbon price mechanism. Wilf has provided strategic advice to both government entities and investors, guiding the establishment of robust environmental markets. He is also a Non-Executive Director of the Mulloon Institute, which promotes landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture around Australia.
Reflecting on Past Contributions
Reflecting on his time with the Eco-Markets Australia Board, Wilf expressed deep appreciation for Jo Sheppard, the inaugural Chair, whose leadership was critical in establishing Eco-Markets Australia’s current stature. “Jo’s contributions have been foundational to Eco-Markets Australia’s success. Her unwavering commitment has shaped the organisation into what it is today. I look forward to her continued involvement as a trusted advisor and friend of Eco-Markets Australia,” Wilf remarked. He also emphasised the recent strategic expansion of the Board, with the addition of Rob Allen, Ros Baker, Professor John Cole, and Brett Spicer, which has infused new energy and expertise, bolstering Eco-Markets Australia ‘s capabilities for future growth.
Seizing Strategic Opportunities
As Chair, Wilf is focused on leading Eco-Markets Australia during a period of significant opportunity for environmental preservation and restoration in Australia. “We are at a critical juncture for nature preservation, restoration, and repair. Accordingly, given our role as Australia’s first independent environmental market administrator, we look forward to contributing to initiatives such as the Global Nature Positive Summit,” Wilf stated. “Corporate Australia and government entities are increasingly committed to delivering broader environmental outcomes, underpinned by global agreements such as The Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and international environmental reporting requirements. Eco-Markets Australia is uniquely positioned to drive real and measurable change through investment in tangible environmental outcomes.”
Wilf underscored Eco-Markets Australia’s proven track record since 2020 in administering Reef Credits, a pioneering market-based solution that has delivered measurable improvements in water quality for the Great Barrier Reef. “The framework we’ve established—comprising rigorous standards and accounting methodologies, independent auditing, and a public registry—ensures that outcomes are not only measurable but also independently verified. This credibility positions Eco-Markets Australia to expand its role, administering broader biodiversity programs and emerging environmental markets across Australia,” he explained.
The geographical diversity of Eco-Markets Australia’s Board, with members based in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, reflects the organisation’s readiness to scale nationally. “This strategic positioning enables Eco-Markets Australia to effectively address the diverse environmental challenges across the country, ensuring that our work is impactful on a national scale,” Wilf added.
Looking Ahead
Eco-Markets Australia remains firmly committed to expanding Reef Credits, particularly in light of the recently updated Scientific Consensus Statement on the Great Barrier Reef, which highlights the urgent need for climate change and water quality improvement initiatives. “Eco-Markets Australia is not only focussed on increasing our impact in the Great Barrier Reef and other water pollution markets but also expanding our role into broader independent biodiversity markets around Australia. As we continue to build on our established leadership, we are committed to influencing and sharing our expertise on a broader scale. Our unique independent position enables us to advance nature restoration and repair with the highest standards of integrity, governance, and transparency,” Wilf noted, “It is our goal that Eco-Markets Australia is seen globally as a leader in this field, ensuring we have a prominent voice as one of the first movers in global environmental and biodiversity markets.”
