Ignus Rocher

  • icrocher@gmail.com
  • South Africa
  • 06/06/2024
Office work Blue economy Climate change Conservation and ecology Management and consultancy Water and hydrology

Personal Summary

I’m passionate about protecting ecosystems and finding solutions that not only safeguard nature and combat climate change but also empower dependent communities. Throughout my career, I have consistently channelled this passion to effect positive change and sustainable solutions. I also enjoy seeing disruptive companies achieve financial growth by eliminating inefficiencies without causing harm to the environment and the communities they impact.

Currently, my focus is on developing successful carbon projects that preserve biodiversity, sequester carbon, and create sustainable jobs to ensure a future where both people and the environment thrive. I contribute to our company's origination strategy by identifying and evaluating projects and provide guidance to clients on navigating the complexities of carbon markets to achieve their sustainability objectives.

My background includes experience in natural capital projects, biodiversity conservation, land-use planning, and nature-based climate solutions. Previously, with McKinsey's Nature Analytics, I assessed feasibility of VCM offset programs, scenario modelling to understand the ecological and socioeconomic advantages of different nature-based solutions, and identified impactful, cost-effective options to realize the UN's 30x30 goal.

Previously, as engineer on large capital-intensive construction, electricity, and mining projects, I was exposed to high-polluting industries that significantly contribute to climate change. Working on these projects made me realize that these industries possess the greatest potential for improvement, with opportunities to execute successful decarbonization and net-zero strategies. This motivated me to transition to a career in sustainability.

Formally, I hold an engineering degree from Stellenbosch University and later specialized in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability at the University of Cape Town. I’m a registered professional engineer since 2016 and worked for the Western Cape Government, to develop advanced transport simulation and land-use scenario models to inform administrative planning of road infrastructure projects and public transport systems to reduce traffic & emissions. I’m also a Specialist Contributor to the South African Sustainable Finance Coalition.

·         I’m an experienced sustainability professional,

·         with a background in management consulting,

·         possessing deep technical engineering knowledge,

·         with geospatial and simulation modelling expertise,

·         and motivated by a passion for environmental conservation.

CORE SUSTAINABILITY COMPETENCIES:

Carbon Accounting, Reporting, and Regulatory Compliance: Experience in calculating and reporting emissions and carbon tax liabilities, ensuring compliance with the GHG Protocol, standardized regulations (e.g., CSRD), and voluntary disclosures (e.g., CDP).

Emission Reduction Strategies: Skilled in developing and implementing bespoke emission reduction strategies, incorporating industry-specific best practices and innovative solutions to achieve net-zero targets in accordance with the SBTi.

Financial Modelling & Investment Analysis: Proficient in creating detailed financial models and conducting comprehensive investment valuations for projects, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning.

Voluntary Carbon and Biodiversity Offset Markets: Extensive experience across the voluntary carbon and biodiversity offset markets, encompassing project evaluation, origination, implementation, verification, and retirement/trading of offsets from different registries (e.g., VCS) different categories (e.g., ARR) and methodologies.

Due Diligence and Feasibility Studies: Competent in leading extensive due diligence assessments for nature-based climate solution projects, evaluating feasibility, carbon schedule, environmental effect, and alignment with standard bodies to ensure long-term successful climate impact and social co-benefits.

Geospatial Analysis and Simulation Modelling: Adept at utilizing geospatial analytics to inform sustainable land use planning, particularly for conservation projects and protected area management. Skilled in optimizing cost-effective options through precise spatial data analysis and simulation tools to enhance environmental and economic outcomes.

Carbon Offsetting Advice: Experienced in creating personalized offset strategies and developing unique portfolios of credible carbon offset projects/credits based on a company’s budget and sustainability goals; which should align with the organization's brand, values and commitment to offset hard-to-abate residual emissions.

Stakeholder Engagement and Environmental Impact Reporting: Communicating organization's environmental efforts to diverse stakeholders, which includes creating ESG reports, project presentations or pitch decks, and educational materials for employees, with the ultimate aim to enhance environmental reputation and gain crucial support for ongoing conservation efforts.

Life Cycle Assessments (LCA): Comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impact of a project throughout its entire lifecycle, aimed at helping clients identify areas for improvement to minimize their environmental footprint.

Work Experience

Investment Director
Aug 2022 - Present KEY CARBON

As Investment Director and Sustainability and Environmental Specialist at Key Carbon, I form an integral part of a small and agile leadership team. My multifaceted role allows me to contribute to a wide range of activities, shaping the strategic direction of our company. I ensure our investments are not only profitable but also aligned with global sustainability standards. My work enhances our project origination pipeline, supports high-quality project identification, and provides vital advisory services to our clients.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY:

·         Lead investment origination by identifying, structuring, and negotiating new opportunities.

·         Conduct financial modelling, feasibility studies, and due diligence assessments on new projects and developer partnerships.

·         Present prospective opportunities to Investment Committee for decision-making.

·         Implement strategies for portfolio diversification and risk mitigation to optimize risk-return profiles.

·         Continuously monitor projects' environmental and social impacts, ensuring alignment with UN SDGs, and communicate these impacts to stakeholders.

·         Progress reporting on project milestones and investment strategies to the executive committee and company shareholders.

·         Develop deep technical expertise on the VCM, including different registries, protocols and methodologies.

·         Track convergence with compliance market like the CORSIA program and carbon tax.

·         Monitor trends in carbon prices, buyer preferences, credit issuance, retirements, and the influence of regulatory changes such as the UN A6 mechanism.

·         Track registries like the VCS, certification programs like ICVCM, and ensure alignment with the SBTi for net-zero carbon offsetting.

·         Publish research reports and articles on conservation and climate change-related subjects.

·         Offer expert guidance to clients on biodiversity and carbon markets that align with their environmental sustainability objectives.

·        Facilitate the selling of our carbon credits by identifying corporate customers and reaching out to institutional buyers.

Specialist Contributor
Feb 2024 - Present SUSTAINABLE FINANCE COALITION

Remote Support, South Africa

SPECIALITY FIELD:

·         Voluntary Carbon & Biodiversity Markets

·         Geospatial Analytics & Land Use Planning of Protected Areas

·         Financial Modelling & Investment Valuation

·         Due Diligence of Nature-Based Climate Solutions

·         Implementation of Natural Capital Projects

Senior Capabilities & Insights Analyst
Oct 2016 - Jul 2022 MCKINSEY & COMPANY

I was a member of McKinsey’s Global Social Responsibility Department, Environmental Sustainability Department, and McKinsey’s Nature Analytics team. These departments have since merged to become McKinsey’s Natural Capital and Nature service line, mandated to “support clients in their transition to a net-zero and nature-positive economy”.

I developed in-depth knowledge of geospatial analytics, environmental data, and conservation related tools e.g., species distribution models, linear programming, land use change models. And focused on applying these advanced analytics to support climate and nature conservation strategies of various private companies, NGOs, philanthropic entities, and public clients across sectors and geographies. I was responsible for developing methodological approaches, proprietary tools, data foundations, and predictive models for clients around topics like natural capital erosion, conservation financing, climate change mitigation, and carbon offset strategies.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Assessed innovative financing methods for conservation efforts, including Voluntary Carbon Offset programs.

·         Scenario modelling to evaluate the ecological and socioeconomic benefits of different Nature-Based Solutions.

·         Identified high-impact and cost-effective opportunities to deploy philanthropic resources to reach the UN’s 30X30 goal.

·         Investigated how donor and practitioner communities could collaborate with public and private sector to expand conservation efforts.

·         Feasibility studies of various Project Finance for Permanence programs.

·         Investigated how to scale the Voluntary Carbon Market effectively to meet the climate challenge.

·         Evaluated how different Natural Climate Solutions can help countries reach their Nationally Determined Contribution.

Transport Network Planning Engineer
Jan 2012 - Jun 2016 WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT

From January 2012 to July 2016, I participated in the Western Cape Government’s Graduate Engineering Program, where I was seconded to the Cape Town Municipality, Hatch, Aurecon and WBHO. This allowed me to gain diverse experience in various engineering disciplines before I specialized in transport network planning.

CAPE TOWN MUNICIPALITY

Transport Network Planning Engineer

(2015 / 2016)

I was part of a team that developed an operational management and network planning system for the Provincial Government to support informed strategic decision-making in the public sector. By leveraging advanced simulation models, we improved asset management, streamlined administrative planning, and enhanced project prioritization. This initiative increased the efficiency of transportation management and contributed to long-term planning and development goals for the province.

 

HATCH CONSULTING ENGINEERS

Transportation Engineer

2014 / 2015

I led traffic studies which involved the development of advanced transport simulation models. These models analysed travel patterns, traffic demand, and human behaviour to identify bottlenecks. I used this data to identify infrastructure upgrade opportunities and develop conceptual road improvement plans. Ultimately, the purpose of these studies were to stimulate the local economy and encourage investment by planning future land-use and transportation networks that optimize traffic flow and accessibility.

 

AURECON CONSULTING ENGINEERS

Transport Planner

2013 / 2014

I contributed to developing integrated public transport network plans for Mossel Bay and George towns, which included traffic impact assessment, change management - and transformation strategy. My responsibilities included organizational and financial structuring, calculating fares, designing public transport routes, determining trip schedules, recommending public transport operating specifications, formalizing contract documents, and administering tender evaluation process.

 

AURECON CONSULTING ENGINEERS

Design Engineer

2012 / 2013

In the Geometric Design Unit, I contributed to road project delivery, from the initial planning and design stages through to documentation and rollout management. My responsibilities included a variety of technical design aspects, including geometric designs for both railways and roads, hydrology probability estimations, hydraulic calculations, project cost assessments, contract document preparation, and construction phase rollout strategies.

 

WBHO CONSTRUCTION

Assistant Site Agent

2011 / 2012

I was part of an on-site infrastructure team that constructed a landmark $100 million building in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. At the time, this project was the third-most expensive under construction in the Southern Hemisphere. The building went on to win the prestigious SAPOA Awards in 2014 and numerous other property awards. Notably, it was also the first six-green-star office development and four-green-star residential development in South Africa.

Education

Engineering
Jan 2007 - Nov 2011 University of Stellenbosch
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Jan 2022 - Nov 2022 University of Cape Town

Name and surname

Ignus Rocher

Nationality

South Africa

Years of experience

10-15 years

Are you looking for a job in:

In my country of residence, Only remotely

Additional training

EDUCATION and TRAINING

University of Cape Town

2022

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

McKinsey & Company

2017

MICA - McKinsey Infrastructure and Capital Productivity Academy

Engineering Council South Africa

2016

Registered Professional Engineer

Western Cape Government

2012 - 2016

Graduate Engineering Program

Stellenbosch University

2008 - 2011

BEng - Civil Engineering

Jim Fouché Secondary

2003 - 2007

South African Senior Certificate

PUBLICATION CONTRIBUTIONS

A Practical Guide to ARR Projects

Sep 15, 2023

Blue Carbon's Climate Potential

May 13, 2022

Green Africa's Growth Agenda

Oct 28, 2021

Mck 2020 Social Responsibility Report

Dec 31, 2020

The Future of Work in South Africa

Sep 4, 2019

Language (indicate level)

English and Afrikaans / Dutch

Digital competences (indicate level)

Highly proficient 

Personal website / LinkedIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignus-rocher/