Background
The Institute was registered and launched in August 2008 under the patronage of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (Australia) in response to the vital issue of Global Warming and Climate Change. This follows the extensive research conducted by Prof Janek Ratnatunga (former Head of the School and Dean of Commerce at the University of South Australia) and Professor Stewart Jones (former Head of the Department of Accounting, University of Sydney), that the carbon credits market is currently largely unregulated and lacks transparency.[1]
The principal object of the Institute of Certified Carbon Analysts and Auditors (ICCAA) is to advance, promote, measure, regulate and provide assurance certification of carbon credits for the effective implementation of carbon management systems (that may include emissions trading systems). It is aimed at encouraging participation in carbon markets by its members to improve environmental sustainability and provide solutions to reducing the greenhouse effect and resultant climate change.
In December 2012, the ICCAA was admitted by the Conference of the Parties (COP) 18 as an Observer Organisation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The President of ICCAA is Emeritus Professor Peter Chandler, AO, a former PVC of Monash University. The members of the ‘Think-Tank’ are shown in Appendix III.
The ICCAA approached the School of Commerce at University of South Australia and the Department of Accounting (DACC) at the University of Sydney to collaborate with it in developing an educational program aimed at certifying Carbon Analysts and auditors. This required university wide expertise, since it there was a need for a curriculum that draws from multiple areas including, auditing, bio-chemistry, architecture, environmental law, economics, property etc.
The Institute of Certified Carbon Analyst and Auditors(ICCAA) offers six grades of membership:
Academic and Professional Members
Certified , Associate and Registered Members
Corporate Members
Of the above, there are three levels of certification membership in ICCAA with differing educational and experience requirements:
Certification Level: Certified Carbon Analyst and Auditor(CCAA)
Associate Level: Associate Carbon Analyst and Auditor(ACAA)
Registered Level: Registered Carbon Analyst and Auditor(RCAA)
Details of membership benefits and services are available in the membership page. The Institute has a wide range of activities, in Australia and is in the process of setting up a number of international branches.
The Institute accredits Australian and overseas universities running its certification program. Being a CCAA means a commitment to a continuous professional development, and the Institute offers seminars, training and other development activities to assist members achieve this objective.
The Institute is also an examining body, and members are required to pass examinations and other assessments and have relevant work experience prior to describing themselves as ‘Certified Carbon Analyst and Auditors’. Business organizations are also accredited by the Institute as providing suitable training and experience programs for prospective members to obtain their experience requirements for membership.
ICCAA is established with a vision to attain the status of a premier body of professionals practising the science of carbon analysis and auditing.
Flash! With the constant changes being proposed with regards climate change and carbon emissions management regulation in Australia; the education and training program to certify carbon analysts and auditors has been temporarily suspended. There will be no new intakes to these programs until further notice.