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January 08, 2020

Climate change, anticorruption top agenda at ABA Environmental Summit of the Americas in Mexico City

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2020 — The world’s leading environmental lawyers from across the Americas – North, South, Central and Caribbean countries – will gather to discuss environmental and energy issues at the Environmental Summit of the Americas, Jan. 15-16 at the Hyatt Regency Polanco in Mexico City.

Keynote speakers on Wednesday include José Sarukhán Kermez of the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity, Maria Amparo Martinez Arroyo of the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change and ABA President Judy Perry Martinez.

What:  
Environmental Summit of the Americas, sponsored by the
ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources,
cosponsored by International Bar Association Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law

When:  
Jan. 15-16

Where:
Hyatt Regency Polanco
Campos Elíseos No. 204
Polanco, Chapultepec
Mexico City, Mexico 11560

Program highlights include:

“Addressing Global Climate Change Issues Across the Americas” — The impacts of climate change do not stop at international borders. In the Americas, the nations who have contributed the least to climate change will be among the ones most impacted by it. This panel discussion brings together thought leaders from throughout the Americas to discuss how local and regional efforts can be coordinated to address greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

5-6:30 p.m., Wednesday

“Anticorruption, Social Integrity and Parent Company Liability in Environmental Projects” — Investors and developers increasingly need to ensure that anticorruption and social integrity policies are in place before embarking on international energy, infrastructure and mining projects. Failure to institute such policies runs the risk of legal peril, not just for the project companies, but also for parent and other related entities. This session will explore anti-corruption and social integrity policies from a variety of perspectives and share measures that parent companies can take to protect themselves in this area.

8:45-10 a.m., Thursday

“Plastics – National and International Approaches” — Pollution and environmental harms associated with plastics has been receiving international scrutiny given their universal prevalence, high durability and impacts on the environment. Many jurisdictions are now implementing legislation to reduce plastic consumption and better control plastic waste. This session will consider and compare approaches taken by jurisdictions in North, Central and South America.

2:30-3:45 p.m., Thursday

Contaminated Sites and Remediation” — All industrialized jurisdictions have issues arising from contamination as a result of industrial operations. This session will address domestic approaches for addressing contaminated sites and will consider how, in the context of commercial and corporate transactions, buyers can best protect themselves from current and future liability.

4:15-5:30 p.m. Thursday

A complete agenda can be found online.

This event is open to members of the press. For media credentialing, please contact Jennifer Kildee at 202-662-1732 or [email protected].

The ABA is largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at https://www.americanbar.org/news/ and on Twitter @ABANews.