Mandy Rambharos

Mandy Rambharos is the Chief Executive Officer of Verra, the world’s most widely used voluntary carbon market standard. With over two decades of experience in the energy and climate sectors, Mandy is a recognized leader in global climate cooperation and just energy transitions.

Before joining Verra, Mandy served as Vice President for Global Climate Cooperation at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where she directed multilateral climate engagements and led initiatives to advance carbon markets and carbon pricing strategies that promote low-emissions futures while supporting marginalized communities. Her work at EDF was pivotal in shaping global climate policies under the Paris Agreement, working closely with international bodies such as the United Nations, G20, and G7.

Mandy’s career also includes a significant tenure at South Africa’s Eskom Holdings, the largest electric utility on the African continent. As General Manager for Just Energy Transition, she was instrumental in developing Eskom’s strategy to transition from a coal-dominated utility to a renewable energy leader. Mandy’s expertise in the energy industry, mitigation, adaptation, and global climate negotiations was crucial in establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership at COP26, a landmark agreement between South Africa and major international partners including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

A former negotiator for South Africa at the United Nations climate talks, Mandy co-chaired the successful outcome of Article 6 at COP26, which governs international carbon markets under the Paris Agreement. She also serves on the boards of the National Business Initiative (NBI) and is a member of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Technical Council.

At Verra, Mandy envisions a future where the organization not only strengthens its leadership in carbon markets but also expands its impact by driving equitable and sustainable climate solutions globally. Under her leadership, Verra aims to build on its strong foundation, fostering innovation and ensuring that climate actions are inclusive, just, and beneficial to communities worldwide.