The International Bar Association’s Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure Law (SEERIL) Biennial Conference, held from April 17-19, 2024, at Universidad Externado de Colombia in Bogotá, featured the international launch of Net Zero and Natural Resources Law: Sovereignty, Security, and Solidarity in the Clean Energy Transition (Oxford University Press). The launch was a key moment in the conference, bringing together global experts to discuss the evolving legal frameworks guiding the clean energy transition.
The book, edited by Professors Damilola S. Olawuyi (SAN), José Juan González Márquez, Hanri Mostert, Milton Fernando Montoya, and Catherine Banet, explores critical natural resource governance issues in the shift to net-zero emissions. Topics included resource sovereignty, international cooperation, ESG risk management, and legal frameworks for clean energy investments.
Academic Advisory Group Panel Discussion
The Academic Advisory Group of SEERIL, chaired by Professor Iñigo Del Guayo (University of Almería, Spain), led a dedicated panel session on April 18, 2024, exploring key legal challenges in the energy transition. The session was co-chaired by:
- Matthias Lang, Bird & Bird LLP, Germany
- Professor Milton Fernando Montoya Pardo, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Bogotá
- Professor Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
Distinguished Contributions
Among the speakers, Ms. Elena Athwal (Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA) presented on Net Zero, Human Rights & ESG Risk Management in Natural Resource Investments, highlighting the social and legal risks of energy transition projects. She emphasized the importance of human rights considerations and environmental accountability in sustainable resource governance, advocating for legal frameworks that ensure equity and social inclusion in the clean energy transition.
Additional speakers included:
- Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu, University of Birmingham, Nigeria – Discussing the role of environmental education in shaping net-zero policies.
- Professor Iñigo Del Guayo, University of Almería, Spain – Addressing legal perspectives on energy security and sovereignty.
- José Juan González Márquez, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico – Presenting on regional free trade agreements and net-zero transition strategies.
Conference Highlights
The conference brought together over 300 legal professionals from around the world, facilitating robust discussions on energy, environment, infrastructure, and natural resource law. A special thanks was extended to Dr. Milton Fernando Montoya Pardo, Director of the Department of Mining and Energy Law at Universidad Externado de Colombia, for his generous hospitality in hosting the event.
The conference was made possible by the SEERIL organizing team, including Florencia Heredia (Allende & Brea), Stephanie Stimpson (Torys LLP), and Carlos Vilhena (Pinheiro Neto Advogados), along with local sponsors such as Brigard Urrutia, Baker McKenzie, Cuatrecasas, Dentons, Gómez-Pinzón, Holland & Knight LLP, Lloreda Camacho & Co, Posse Herrera Ruiz, Sanclemente Fernández Abogados S.A., Serrano Martinez, and Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uria.
Looking Ahead
The launch of Net Zero and Natural Resources Law at SEERIL Bogotá 2024 underscored the growing importance of legal expertise in shaping global sustainability goals. With contributions from leading scholars and practitioners, the book serves as a foundational resource for advancing net-zero policies, sustainable resource governance, and environmental justice worldwide.
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