Thursday, February 29, 2024

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm CST

Hilton University of Houston, Flamingo Room

4450 University Drive, Houston, Texas

The energy sector plays a major contributing role but also offers potential solutions to the greatest existential threat facing our planet today: anthropogenic climate change. This panel examines how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as well as human rights due diligence mandates arising from treaties and declarations issued by the United Nations and regional bodies as well as domestic law require fossil fuel and renewable energy companies to change corporate policies and strategies or face costly liability claims and brand name damage. In particular, the panel discusses existing and emerging human rights obligations that all businesses must comply with, including the right to a healthy environment as well as adequate and effective consultation with Indigenous peoples.

International Energy and Environmental Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s International Law Section

Thomas Andrew O’Keefe, President, Mercosur Consulting Group, Ltd., New York, NY

Austin J. Pierce, Associate, Latham & Watkins LLC, Houston, TX

Sharon G.K. Singh, Partner, Bennett Jones LLP, Vancouver, BC

Wendy M. Taube, , Attorney, Taube Law LLC, Chicago, IL

Gina S. Warren, Co-Director of the EENR Center, University of Houston Law Center, Houston, TX