ESG Law & Practice Annual Conference 2026
Description
The ESG Law & Practice Annual Conference 2026 brings together leading experts to help you navigate the legal, regulatory and commercial realities shaping ESG today.
Over two days in Sydney, you'll gain practical insights into the developments that matter most, from climate and environmental law to corporate governance, human rights, sustainable finance and ESG risk management.
Sessions are designed to provide actionable guidance that can be applied immediately in legal practice and organisational decision-making.
Why attend?
Hear from leading lawyers, regulators, governance experts and ESG practitioners.
Stay ahead of key legal and regulatory developments in Australia and globally.
Explore emerging issues including climate litigation, greenwashing, modern slavery, AI governance and sustainable finance.
Gain practical strategies for managing ESG compliance, disclosure obligations and legal risk.
Connect with professionals from law, business, government and the not-for-profit sector.
Earn CPD points recognised by legal professional bodies.
Join the conversation shaping the future of ESG law and practice in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Lineup
Matthew Baird
Executive Director, Centre for ESG Law and Practice
Sarah Barker
Sarah Barker is a Partner at Allens and a leading climate change, ESG and governance specialist. Sarah has more than twenty-five years’ experience as commercial lawyer. Sarah brings the practical perspective as an experienced non-executive director, having recently completed two terms on the board of one of Australia’s largest pension funds. She is the Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Climate and Nature Governance, and teaches the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership’s non-executive directors’ programme as well as the AICD’s Climate Governance programme. Sarah is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers (Asia Pacific) and is recognised in the Best Lawyers Guide in both the Corporate Law and Climate Change Law areas of practice.
Kate Lazarus
Kate Lazarus is IFC’s Senior ESG Advisory Lead for Asia Pacific, with over 25 years’ experience in environmental and social risk management, sustainable hydropower, water governance and climate resilience. She leads complex ESG advisory programs with governments and the private sector across Asia Pacific and coordinates IFC’s ESG Landscape practice. Her work includes pioneering hydropower industry platforms, strategic environmental assessments and gender initiatives in the renewable energy sector. Kate has lived and worked in Asia for over two decades, is an IHA Certified User of Hydropower Sustainability Tools, a published author, and has received international recognition for her leadership in sustainability.
Dominque Hogan-Doran SC
Dominique Hogan-Doran SC is Chair of Natural Hazards Research Australia, the national centre for natural hazards resilience and disaster risk reduction research. An experienced Board Chair, Non-Executive Director and leading silk of the Australian Bar, she brings deep expertise in governance, regulation, strategy and risk. Dominique joined the Board following her role as Senior Counsel Assisting the 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. As Chair, she helps guide investment in evidence-based research and collaboration across government, research, industry and communities to strengthen Australia’s natural hazard preparedness and resilience. Her climate leadership includes roles with the International Bar Association’s Climate Change Working Group and the Oxford University Climate Leadership Research Centre. Dominique is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, the Governance Institute of Australia and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and holds degrees in economics and law from the University of Sydney and University of Oxford.
Dominic Tayco
King River Capital
Claire Smith
Environment & Planning Partner, Clayton Utz
Dr Tahlia Gordon
Strategic Projects Lead, College of Law
Raphael Tay
Partner, RDS Partnership
Mark Beaufoy
President NELA, Partner, Mallesons
Ann-Maree David GAICD
National Executive Director, College of Law
Emily McCarthy
Executive Director, College of Law Queensland
Ilona Millar
Partner, Gilbert & Tobin
Professor Michael Adams FAAL
Adjunct Professor of Law, University of New England
Nathan Kennedy
Partner & Head of Pro Bono and Community, Hall and Wilcox
Deslie Billich
Principal, Billich Law
David Cosgrave
Lawyer
Emma Newnham
Partner, Mallesons
Paul Govind
Macquarie University
Elizabeth Espinosa
Commissioner, Land and Environment Court, Department of Justice NSW
Agenda
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Registration Opens
- 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Official Welcome & Opening Address
Conference Chair Opening by Matthew Baird, Executive Director, Centre for ESG Law and Practice
- 9:30 am - 11:00 am
SESSION 1 | The Year in ESG Law: Australia & International Update
A rapid-fire review of the most significant ESG legal, regulatory and judicial developments in Australia and globally during 2026, covering climate law, corporate governance, human rights and sustainable finance. Moderator: Matthew Baird, Executive Director, Centre for ESG Law and Practice Keynote: Sarah Barker, Partner, Allens Keynote: Kate Lazarus, Senior ESG Advisory Lead for Asia-Pacific, International Finance Corporation
- 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Morning Tea & Networking
- 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
SESSION 2 | The Global ESG Agenda - Convergence or Fragmentation?
An international perspective on the trajectory of global ESG standards - covering ISSB, EU CSRD, the US retreat from ESG regulation, and what this means for Australian companies with international operations and investor bases. Moderator: Matthew Baird, Executive Director, Centre for ESG Law and Practice Speakers: Dominic Tayco, King River Capital Kate Lazarus, International Finance Corporation Emma Newnham, Partner, Mallesons
- 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Networking Lunch
- 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
SESSION 3 | Greenwashing: Enforcement, Litigation & Defence
An in-depth examination of ASIC and ACCC greenwashing enforcement actions, the evolving legal standards for ESG claims, class action exposure and practical guidance for corporates and advisers on credible ESG communication. Speakers: Claire Smith, Partner, Clayton Utz Ilona Millar, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin Professor Michael Adams, UNE
- 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Afternoon Tea & Networking
- 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
SESSION 4 | Modern Slavery & Human Rights Due Diligence
Australia's Modern Slavery Act is under review and a new mandatory human rights due diligence (mHRDD) framework is on the horizon. This session examines current obligations, supply chain risks, international developments (EU CSDDD, UN Guiding Principles) and what a strengthened Australian regime would require. Moderator: Ann-Maree David GAICD, National Executive Director, College of Law Speakers: Nathan Kennedy, Partner & Head of Pro Bono and Community, Hall and Wilcox Deslie Billich, Principal, Billich Law
- 5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Summary & Close
- 5:15 pm - 7:15 pm
Welcome Reception & Networking Drinks
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
