In this special edition of the Sustainable Law in Action podcast, Sara Carnegie, IBA Legal Projects Director, and barrister Melissa Murphy KC, speak with expert panellists at the IBA’s 2024 ESG Conference about the role of lawyers in the ESG (environmental, social, governance) space, and the challenges and opportunities facing businesses and law firms in this evolving and increasingly politicised area.

Featuring speakers from across private practice, civil society, academia, ratings agencies and multilateral development banks, we explore what prudent ESG practice looks like; the role of lawyers in advancing good ESG practices; ESG challenges and opportunities in the resources sector; implications of sustainability disclosure requirements; the integration of ESG in credit risk assessments; and the World Bank Group’s work to embed ESG into its operations and decision-making processes.

Featuring insight from:

• Leecia Eve, Partner, Ichor Strategies, New York
• Sarah Fitts, ArentFox Schiff, New York; Council Member, IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section (SEERIL)
• Doug Jones, ArentFox Schiff, Washington, DC; former Senator for Alabama
• Florencia Heredia, Allende & Brea, Buenos Aires; Chair, IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section (SEERIL)
• Irma Russell, Professor, University of Missouri Law School, Kansas City, Missouri
• John F Sherman III, Former General Counsel and Senior Advisor, SHIFT, Boston, Massachusetts
• Christopher Stephens, Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel, The World Bank Group, Washington, DC
• John Vellone, Borden Ladner Gervais, Toronto, Ontario; Newsletter Editor, IBA Power Law Committee Patrick Welch, Chief ESG and Ratings Policy Officer, KBRA, New York
• Patrick Welch, Chief ESG and Ratings Policy Officer, KBRA, New York