Conference programme

SEERIL Chair

Matthias Lang Bird & Bird, Düsseldorf; Chair, IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section (SEERIL)

Conference Co-Chairs

Andrea Forabosco Shell, The Hague; Chair, IBA Oil and Gas Law Committee

Carlos Vilhena Carlos Vilhena Advocacia, Brasília; Secretary, IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section (SEERIL)

Programme Committee Co-Chairs

Michelle Ouellette Riverside, California; Council Member, IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section (SEERIL)

Sarah Fitts ArentFox Schiff, New York; Council Member, IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section (SEERIL)

Opening address with introduction by Carlos Vilhena

Keynote address with introduction by Mark Ellis

As global demand for critical minerals intensifies, access to these inputs is no longer determined solely by geology or investment conditions; it increasingly depends on a complex web of export controls, sanctions regimes, trade restrictions and market-driven allocation mechanisms. The governance of cross-border mineral supply chains is therefore shaped by geopolitical competition, conflicting industrial policies and the proliferation of regulatory tools used by states to direct or constrain the movement of mineral commodities.

This session will discuss export control frameworks, buyer due diligence obligations, the impact of mineral-related sanctions and embargoes, international trade agreements and the influence of market dynamics on commercial decision-making.

The ‘polluter pays principle’ is no longer just a theoretical concept; it has become a strict financial liability. With the recent adoption of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), the EU has introduced a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. This groundbreaking regulation shifts the cost of water treatment from taxpayers to specific industries, requiring pharmaceutical and cosmetic producers to cover at least 80 per cent of the costs for micro-pollutant removal. This panel explores how this regulatory shockwave redefines infrastructure funding, corporate liability and investment models in a resource-constrained world.

In a world marked by geopolitical fragmentation and regulatory polarisation, the oil and gas sector faces a dual challenge: managing conflicting legal frameworks while meeting the surging global energy demand. Diverging standards, sanctions regimes and trade defence measures create overlapping obligations for companies operating across multiple jurisdictions. At the same time, energy security concerns are intensifying competition for hydrocarbons and low-carbon fuels. This panel examines how to navigate a polarised environment, with special attention to cross-border projects and activities in the Mediterranean corridor.

The following session has been organised by the International Committee of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law.

Proponents argue that the potential economic and societal gains and the transformative impact of AI outweigh its resulting rise in energy demands and the growing need for greater critical mineral mining and production. These demands challenge our ability to meet sustainability and climate change goals. This session will feature panellists on each side of the debate. Please join us for a healthy discussion involving experts who will address practical pathways which can be taken to meet sustainability demands while they simultaneously navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

Demand for power is increasing in a world which is becoming more and more dependent on electricity for communication, transport, the transformation of old industries and the development and use of new technologies. At the same time geopolitical tensions and competition between companies for the control of power resources, as well as the dependency on large tech and other companies to manage power resources expose the vulnerability of power production, storage, transmission facilities and systems to physical, cyber and other technical threats which may be disruptive to the business and society at large. The session will explore these risks and challenges and how they can be mitigated and handled from a legal and regulatory perspective.

PFAS, often dubbed ‘forever chemicals,’ are at the centre of an escalating global legal and regulatory storm. Litigation and enforcement actions are intensifying across jurisdictions, with landmark cases shaping the future of corporate liability, environmental remediation and consumer protection. This session brings together leading practitioners and experts at the forefront of PFAS matters to explore the trajectory of PFAS-related disputes, emerging trends in mass litigation and the implications for businesses and governments worldwide. Join the panel for a deep dive into where the next wave of PFAS actions might take us and what strategies are evolving to navigate these darker waters.