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

Wangui Kaniaru is a US-trained, Kenya-qualified Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Public Relations and Management Communications from Emerson College, a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, and two Masters of Law — in International and Comparative Law from the National University of Singapore, and in Law and the Global Economy from New York University School of Law, where she was a Dean's Scholar at both institutions. Most recently a Partner at Anjarwalla & Khanna LLP, Wangui contributed to landmark regulatory reforms including Kenya's Climate Change (Amendment) Act 2023 and advised boards across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda on ESG, climate risk, and sustainability. She also advised private equity funds, development finance institutions, impact investors, and international NGOs on governance, compliance, and complex transactions across East and Central Africa. Wangui currently serves as Co-Chair of the IBA Law Firm Management Committee ESG Sub-Committee and as an Expert Adviser to the Oxford Net Zero Policy Monitor (2024–2026), coordinating review of climate policy adoption across Kenya and Rwanda. She is also Co-Chair of the Climate Research Forum Loss and Damage Working Group at the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme. She is a member of the Law Society of Kenya and is currently completing the CFA Institute's Certificate in Climate Risk, Valuation and Investing.

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.

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.

Bruno Camargo is a Brazilian lawyer specializing in corporate law, sustainability governance, and nature-related risk. He is the co-founder of XiCa advogados, a boutique law firm focused on structuring legal solutions for projects and investments involving biodiversity, climate, land use, and regenerative economies. Bruno has over 20 years of experience advising multinational companies, investors, startups, and civil society organizations on complex legal matters at the intersection of business, environmental regulation, and emerging sustainability frameworks. His work includes the structuring of long-term land-use arrangements, payment for ecosystem services, carbon and biodiversity projects, benefit-sharing mechanisms, anticorruption, antitrust and fair competition and governance models aligned with international ESG, TNFD, and disclosure standards. He has been directly involved in projects across Brazil’s key biomes, including the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, and regularly advises on issues related to Indigenous and traditional communities, free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), and social licence to operate. His background also includes corporate compliance, crisis management, and cross-border transactions, particularly involving European and Latin American regulatory environments. Bruno is an active speaker and writer on sustainability risks, nature finance, and the evolving role of law in ecological transition. He contributes to academic and professional publications and frequently participates in international forums related to climate, biodiversity, and sustainable investment.

Jenni Ramos is a UK qualified (non-practising) corporate and commercial solicitor who originated the Nature-Intelligent Legal Services Toolkit under its former working title Scope 4 Nature before partnering with International Bar Association (IBA) committees to develop it into a toolkit. Jenni's previous roles include researching 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) and facilitating the creation of climate-related contractual clauses at The Chancery Lane Project. 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