4th Annual IBA ESG Conference – a global dialogue on the future of ESG

Alessia Oddone Wales
Castaldi Partners, Milan
aoddone@castaldipartners.com

Panellists for an ESG Conference panel, Munich, 26 March 2026. Courtesy of Alessia Oddone Wales.

The 4th Annual IBA ESG Conference took place in Paris on 25–27 March 2026, bringing together practitioners and experts from across jurisdictions to discuss the rapidly evolving ESG landscape.

The Conference reflects a truly global effort and was organised through the collaboration of several IBA Fora and Committees, including the European, African and North American Regional Fora, SEERIL (Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section), the Law Firm Management Committee, the Business Human Rights Committee, the Bar Issues Commission and the Legal Policy & Research Unit.

Panellists for an ESG Conference panel, Munich, 26 March 2026. Courtesy of Alessia Oddone Wales.

Over the course of two days, discussions consistently highlighted the growing shift of ESG from soft law into binding regulatory frameworks. Particular focus was placed on the expanding body of EU legislation – including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) – as well as on ESG due diligence, board responsibility and supply chain risk.

Other key topics included anti-corruption and its positive role in shaping corporate policies, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) developments in North America, mining and critical minerals, data centres and the broader geopolitical context influencing ESG priorities.

A notable highlight of the Conference was the presentation of the IBA Nature-Intelligent Legal Services Toolkit, now available on the IBA website here, which provides practical guidance for integrating nature-related considerations into legal services.

The European Regional Forum was also actively represented. Alessia Oddone Wales moderated a panel titled ‘ESG in Europe Today – Essential Updates and Business Implications’. The panel featured distinguished speakers Nicola Bonucci (Associate Professor of Law and former OECD General Counsel), Emanuela Gallo (Head of ESG Legal Unit at ENI) and José Ricardo Ortiz (Compliance Senior Manager at Christian Louboutin).

The session was particularly well received and praised for its practical insights, offering a clear perspective on how businesses across Europe are navigating complex regulatory requirements while embedding sustainability into governance and day-to-day operations.

The Conference once again confirmed the central role of ESG in shaping the legal and business environment, as well as the importance of cross-border dialogue in addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead.