Karien Erasmus

Associate Director - Perth

Karien Erasmus is an accomplished Associate Director within RSM Australia's Risk Consulting team in Perth, specialising in Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) services. 

Karien's diverse expertise encompasses Carbon & Sustainability Risk Advisory, ESG Reporting, Sustainability Strategy Development, Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Climate Change Risk Assessment, Climate Scenario Analysis, and TCFD Reporting.

Karien's impact on the industry is profound. She has been instrumental in aiding major, listed companies, particularly in the mining sector, in crafting strategic energy policies, climate scenarios, impact analyses, and setting science-based targets. Her contributions extend to national policy projects in South Africa, where she played a pivotal role in developing a climate change adaptation framework for the national tourism sector and tracking the country's progress towards a Low Carbon and Climate-Resilient Society and Economy.

With a career deeply rooted in sustainability, Karien believes in practical solutions for the shared challenges of our times. ESG and climate change integrated sustainability practices have transformed from mere options to business imperatives.

"I am passionate about enabling businesses to comprehend and mitigate their impact."

Karien's best work unfolds much like Hemingway, in the serenity of a quiet and beautiful setting, where her thoughts flow freely. Beyond her professional achievements, she revels in cherished family moments, especially when exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations in the great outdoors. Her love for reading, particularly autobiographies and works from the Booker Prize list, adds depth to her multifaceted personality.

Before her role at RSM, Karien was at the helm of another major accounting firm's sustainability service line in South Africa, driving remarkable growth in record time. However, her proudest accomplishment remains the dedicated and talented team she nurtured and led.

SOLUTIONS Karien Erasmus PROVIDES

•    Climate mitigation and adaptation
•    Climate impact assessment
•    Sustainability strategy development
•    Carbon accounting and analysis
•    Low carbon transition planning
•    Sustainability reporting
•    Project management
•    ESG auditing and assurance
•    Risk Advisory Services in Perth

Significant projects

•    Karien worked on a strategic renewable energy, mine land rehabilitation and community development concept with the British High Commission. This resulted in a key research paper as well as a practical toolkit to change the land rehabilitation narrative from one of risk to communal beneficiation. 
•    Karien has assisted several companies with embedding climate change action as part of their strategic objectives, outside of mandatory obligations. She has worked with a major health and safety gear manufactures to develop relevant sustainability indicators and a related management programme to monitor and report on sustainability. She has also assisted a PGM-producer to develop a baseline TCFD baseline report to support its listing requirements in the UK. 
•    On a personal note,  Karien’s thesis, as part of her Master’s degree, considered the applicability of greenhouse gas target setting in the developing economy context. She linked this to the theory of responsible leadership. After a year’s worth of blood, sweat and tears her thesis was selected for publication by Springer in a book series focussing on Sustainable Development.

ASSOCIATIONS

•    Elected Member of the Sustainability Technical Committee, South African Institute for Charted Accountants (SAICA)

QUALIFICATIONS

•    Master of Philosophy (Development Practice) - University of Pretoria
•    Bachelor of Honours Sustainable Development - North West University
•    Diploma of Ecological Rehabilitation and Mine Closure - North West University
•    Certified Carbon Footprint Analysis - Global Carbon Exchange
•    Diploma of Community Development - UNISA