CENTRE FOR ESG LAW AND PRACTICE
FEATURED EVENT: ESG LAW & PRACTICE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026
24-25 November 2026 | Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations have rapidly moved from the periphery of corporate strategy to the centre of legal obligation, regulatory scrutiny and stakeholder expectation. In Australia and globally, the pace of legislative change, regulatory guidance and judicial development continues to accelerate.
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.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN UNTIL 5 NOVEMBER 2026
Tuesday, 24 November 2026
| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Registration Opens | |
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Official Welcome & Opening Address Welcome to Country, Conference Chair's opening remarks, and a scene-setting keynote on the state of ESG law and practice in Australia and internationally in 2026. |
Conference Chair Opening: Matthew Baird, Executive Director, Centre for ESG Law and Practice |
| 9:30 – 11:00 | 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: Kate Lazarus, Senior ESG Advisory Lead, Asia Pacific, IFC |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Morning Tea & Networking | |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | 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. |
Speakers: Kate Lazarus, Senior ESG Advisory Lead, Asia Pacific, IFC Emma Newnham, Partner, Mallesons |
| 12:30 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch | |
| 14:00 – 15:30 | 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: Ilona Millar, Partner, Gilbert & Tobin Professor Michael Adams, Adjunct Professor of Law, University of New England |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Afternoon Tea & Networking | |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | 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. |
Speakers: Deslie Billich, Principal, Billich Law |
| 17:00 – 17:15 | Conference Chair's Day One Summary & Close | |
| 17:15 – 19:15 | Welcome Reception & Networking Drinks — The Fullerton Hotel Sydney |
Wednesday, 25 November 2026
| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Registration and Morning Coffee | |
| 9:00 – 9:45 | Day Two Opening Keynote: Natural Hazards and Climate Litigation: Frontiers and Implications Australia has been at the vanguard of climate litigation globally. This session reviews landmark cases — from Torres Strait to the Bushfire litigation — analyses director liability exposure and considers what the next wave of climate claims will look like in Australia and the Asia-Pacific. |
Moderator: Matthew Baird, Executive Director, Centre for ESG Law and Practice Keynote Speaker: Dominque Hogan-Doran SC, Chair, Natural Hazards Research Australia |
| 9:45 – 11:00 | Session 5 | Ethical AI and the Role of the Lawyer? This will be a look at one of the challenging issues for the future of the legal profession. |
Moderator: Dominic Tayco, King River Capital Presenters: Dr Tahlia Gordon, Strategic Projects Lead, College of Law |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Morning Tea & Networking | |
| 11:30 – 13:00 | Session 6 | ESG Finance: Green Bonds, Sustainable Loans & Taxonomy An examination of the green and sustainable finance market in Australia and overseas — covering green bond standards, sustainability-linked loan structures, the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy. |
Speakers: Paul Govind, Macquire University |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch | |
| 14:00 – 15:15 | Session 7 | Managing Contractual Risk: ESG Due Diligence and Risk Management ESG has become a core element of transaction due diligence and deal structuring. This session examines how buyers, sellers, investors and advisers are incorporating ESG into M&A transactions, IPOs and private equity investments — including contractual terms, representations, warranties, conditions precedent and post-completion obligations. |
Moderator: Raphael Tay, Partner, RDS Partnership |
| 15:15 – 15:45 | Afternoon Tea & Networking | |
| 15:45 – 16:45 | Session 8 | The Future of ESG Law: Risks, Opportunities and Calls to Action A forward-looking closing session bringing together perspectives from law, regulation, business and civil society on the trajectory of ESG law and practice — what the next 12–24 months will bring, and what the legal profession's role should be in shaping a more sustainable and equitable economy. |
Moderator: Ann-Maree David GAICD, National Executive Director, College of Law |
| 16:45 | Conference Chair's Closing Remarks & Official Close |
Dr Matthew Baird
Sarah Barker
Kate Lazarus
Dominic Tayco
Claire Smith
Ilona Millar
Professor Michael Adams
Nathan Kennedy
Deslie Billich
Dominique Hogan-Doran SC
Dr Tahlia Gordon
Emily McCarthy , Executive Director, College of Law Queensland
David Cosgrave , Darling Downs & West Moreton Primary Health Network
Raphael Tay , Law Partnership
Mark Beaufoy
Ann-Maree David , BA, LLB, GDLP, LLM, MEd, GAICD
Emma Newnham
Dr Paul Govind
The Centre for ESG Law and Practice is about creating an accessible, trusted and centralised source of ESG intelligence for the global legal and business community. We want to give young lawyers and professionals the chance to be at the forefront of ESG transformation.
Matthew Baird
Executive Director, Centre for ESG Law and Practice
NAVIGATING THE COMPLEX ROLE OF LAW IN ESG
As Australian and global organisations respond to international ESG regulations, legal compliance and strategic capability have become increasingly important.
The Centre for ESG Law and Practice is an initiative developed by the College of Law to support legal and business communities navigate the complex role of law in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks.
OUR PEOPLE
Matthew has 35 years of experience in environmental law, including 15 years working in ASEAN and the Pacific practice of ESG. He is also the current Director of the Asian Research Institute for Environmental Law.
Dr Matthew Baird
ADVISORY BOARD
The Centre is supported by an international Advisory Board of distinguished leaders, including partners at top law firms, global ESG specialists and presidents of international and national law associations.
The Advisory Board supports the Centre and provides mentoring opportunities for students and young lawyers.
Dominique Hogan-Doran SC
Dominic Tayco
Kate Lazarus
Meg Lee
Claire Smith
Raphael Tay , Law Partnership
Shyam Divan
Matt Floro
Mark Beaufoy
Robyn Glindemann
Michael Chu
There is a groundswell of demand from young professionals for accessible and trusted ESG education and career pathways. The ESG Centre responds to that demand by connecting students and early-career professionals with the tools and mentors they need to lead change on a global scale.
James Jung
Executive Director International Strategy, College of Law
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The new Centre for ESG Law and Practice marks the College of Law’s commitment to supporting young lawyers and the future of the Australian legal industry.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ESG law refers to the legal and regulatory frameworks governing environmental protection, social responsibility, and governance obligations. It includes legislation, regulation, policy, and compliance requirements that affect organisations across sectors.
Programs are designed for legal professionals, in house counsel, regulators, government officials, executives and professionals working in regulated industries.
Yes. ESG education and training programs are customised to reflect organisational objectives, regulatory environments, and participant experience levels.
Yes. ESG programs may be delivered domestically or internationally, including as part of the College of Law’s international legal education programs.
ESG considerations are closely linked to governance structures, regulatory compliance, risk management, and accountability. Legal professionals play a key role in interpreting and applying these obligations in practice.
You can contact the Centre for ESG Law and Practice using the enquiry form on this page to discuss education, training, or collaboration opportunities.
