Nature and biodiversity as a new frontier of risk and opportunity for lawyers: launching the Nature-Intelligent Legal Services Toolkit

Emily is an Australian qualified lawyer and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne, Master of Law (JD) from Monash University and a Master of Law from the University of Cambridge. Before coming to the IBA, Emily was a lawyer in the climate change and sustainability team of a leading Australian law firm, where she worked with clients across a range of sectors to support their decarbonisation strategies and manage regulatory compliance risks. Emily also has experience in environment and planning law, and litigation, and has a particular interest in the intersections between climate change and the global biodiversity crisis and the ongoing emergence of frameworks for assessing and managing nature-related risks. Emily is a member of the National Environmental Law Association (Australia) and has previously held positions as Associate Fellow with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law; coordinator of the Climate Law and Governance Initiative; and Judge’s Associate at the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal (Australia). As a Project Lawyer in the LPRU, Emily leads projects in environment, climate and business and human rights law and is the Delegate Lead for UNFCCC and COP engagement.

Wangui Kaniaru is a corporate lawyer and has practiced law for 15 years, most recently a partner at Anjarwalla & Khanna LLP. She advises on complex cross-border transactions, restructurings, and regulatory matters and has lived and worked in the United States, Asia and Africa. She also has extensive experience training boards and senior management teams on climate transition risk, corporate strategy and ESG risk and compliance arrangements. An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, she is also deeply engaged in climate change policy and sustainability, examining how corporate law can advance investment in sustainable and ethical business practices and planetary stewardship. Beyond her practice, she explores the intersection of law, governance, and creative expression, using poetry to explore memory, resilience, and belonging.

Thomas Mason leads Nature Positive's advisory services for nature, specialising in science-based targets for nature (SBTN) and corporate reporting including TNFD, CSRD, and CDP. For over 10 years Tom has worked across diverse manufacturing and sustainable finance primarily in Asia, more recently focusing on nature and biodiversity consultancy based out of London. With an academic and professional background which crosses organisational strategy, environmental management, and tropical ecology, he works with organisations to evaluate nature-related risks and opportunities, and to develop impactful, measurable nature strategies spanning their value chains.

Jenni Ramos is the Executive Director of Scope 4 Nature, empowering firms to track their advised and serviced contributions to nature-positive, socially just transitions. A UK-qualified lawyer, Jenni researched nature-related corporate and financial risks at the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative, co-authoring the report “Biodiversity Risk: Legal Implications for Companies and their Directors” and commissioning influential legal opinions clarifying directors' duties. Previously, as Head of Content Development at The Chancery Lane Project, she facilitated the creation of climate-related contractual clauses. Jenni trained as a solicitor at Allen & Overy, practised corporate law, and held various roles in contracts, governance, and compliance.

Legal and Environmental Manager of “Aguas Nuevas S.A.”, a private company in Water and Sewer in Chile. Also, during 2016-2020, and jointly with his responsibilities in Legal Counseling in these companies, he leads the Communications and Sustainability areas in Aguas Nuevas. Director of Asociación Nacional de Empresas de Servicios Sanitarios (ANDESS A.G.) since 2013, acting as Interim President, during 2022. As a director of this Association, he leads its Strategic Committee which establishes the strategy and leads the relationship with Constitutional Convention. Before to join Aguas Nuevas: Associate, Baranda y Compañía, (2001-2005); Associate, Yrarrázaval, Ruiz-Tagle, Goldenberg, Lagos y Silva (2001) and Associate, Goldenberg, Urzúa, Rozas, García y Montes (1997-2000). Specialized in commercial law, administrative, civil, labor, corporations, and tax law, rendering legal advice in business restructuring and defense in lawsuits. He has actively participated in several reorganizations, mergers, divisions, acquisitions, and privatization of companies. Legal adviser of regulated services companies such as energy, gas, water and sewerage. Former Professor of Public Law, Catholic University of Chile, since 2004. Professor of Commercial Law, Andres Bello University (2003). Assistant Professor of Roman Law and Administrative Law, Catholic University of Chile (1996-2000). He has participated as lecturer in conferences and seminars in Chile and Latin America. Education: Faculty of Law, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago (LL.B.). Admitted to Bar (1998). Born in 1973 in Santiago de Chile