Eliza Northrop is a Senior Associate in the Sustainable Ocean Initiative. She leads the policy work for the Initiative and supports the Secretariats for the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy and Friends of Ocean Action. She is an international environmental lawyer with expertise in climate change, natural resource management and indigenous rights. Prior to joining the Sustainable Ocean Initiative, Eliza worked on international climate law and policy issues, in particular the design and implementation of the Paris Agreement for WRI’s Climate Program.

Prior to joining WRI, Eliza acted as a legal advisor to the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the UN during the 68th session of the General Assembly. Eliza previously worked as a negotiator and policy advisor for the resolution of native title in Australia, facilitating entry into over nine co-management arrangements and fifteen indigenous land use agreements. She has also served as a member of the Commonwealth Indigenous Protected Areas Subcommittee. Eliza has also practiced in the areas of environmental and property law in Australia.

Eliza holds a Master of Environmental Law from New York University School of Law, a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Australia School of Business, a Bachelor of Laws (Honors) from the University of Adelaide School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts (Environmental Studies) from the University of Adelaide. Eliza has a great love of travel and food, combining both whenever possible.