Shaping the Future of Carbon Markets: Legal and Voluntary Frameworks in Focus
Join us for a panel discussion and networking evening hosted by Women in Carbon & Paul Hastings LLP.
People of all genders are welcome to attend.
Featured Speakers:
Anna Hickey, Partner, Phillip Lee
Anna is a Partner in the Climate Finance practice of Philip Lee LLP. She acts for carbon project developers and investors in structuring and documenting transactions for nature-based and engineered carbon reduction and removal projects in jurisdictions worldwide. Anna advises clients on policy matters relating to the verified carbon market and emerging international laws under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Anna has a background in advising on M&A and fundraising and especially enjoys working with early-stage companies in climate/CDR.
Basak Odemis, Carbon Finance Lead, IFC
Basak is a carbon market and climate change expert. From 2002 to 2018, she held key roles at Total as an energy trader, business development executive, and emissions trading manager, where she established the emissions trading desk and managed the company's GHG exposure. Currently, she serves as the Carbon Finance Lead within IFC's Climate Business Department, focusing on expanding carbon market activities in emerging countries. Committed to advancing a low-carbon development path globally, Basak holds master’s and PhD. degrees from the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) and the University of Cambridge.
Belinda Ellington, Senior Advisor, IETA
Belinda is a senior legal professional with more than 25 years’ experience in law, regulation, policy and negotiation relating to Banking, Trading and Finance across Global Commodities’ Markets and Sustainable Finance. She recently left Citi Bank to focus on driving finance towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and conduct mediated negotiation and dispute resolution. One of her roles is as senior advisor to IETA, including running the legal working group, intent on identify legal barriers, challenges, and opportunities across carbon markets.
Ruth Knox, Partner, Global Co-Chair of ESG & Sustainable Finance , Paul Hastings
Ruth Knox is a partner in the Corporate practice and Global Co-Chair of the ESG & Sustainable Finance practice at Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s London office. Ruth advises some of the world’s most sophisticated private equity firms, corporations, and project sponsors and lenders on complex and evolving legal issues relating to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and climate-related regulatory requirements, investor demands, strategic opportunities (including transition strategies), and voluntary reporting frameworks and coalitions. Ruth’s practice focuses on counseling clients on the management, mitigation, and maximization of ESG risks and opportunities, respectively.
Varnika Chawla, Legal Manager, Climate Asset Management
Varnika Chawla is a Legal Manager with Climate Asset Management and a dual qualified lawyer in England & Wales and India. Varnika works in structuring specialized impact private equity capital for investments into carbon markets and nature, including forestry and regenerative agricultural assets. Recently also named as a Rising Star in the Sustainable Company Awards, Varnika works at the forefront of using the law as a tool to promote positive financial flow into nature conservation and restoration, having worked on projects that cumulatively aim to sequester over 5 million tonnes of carbon from the environment.