Eliza Northrop

Senior Associate, Policy Lead – Sustainable Ocean Initiative

Bio

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.

Blogs

4 Ocean-based Solutions to Advance Climate Action Through NDCs
by Eliza Northrop and Mario Finch - January 19, 2021
The ocean is traditionally viewed as a victim of climate change, rather than a source of solutions. A new report from WRI aims to help governments explore ways to include oceans-based climate solutions into NDCs.
Leveraging the Ocean's Carbon Removal Potential
by Katie Lebling and Eliza Northrop - October 08, 2020
As the need for climate action becomes more urgent, the ocean is gaining attention as a potential part of the solution. A range of ocean-based carbon removal approaches could help capture and store billion of tons of carbon.
Using the Ocean As a Tool for Global Economic Recovery
by Eliza Northrop, Mansi Konar, Nicola Frost and Liz Hollaway - September 15, 2020
A new report commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy proposes a roadmap for economic recovery from COVID-19 that utilizes opportunities in the ocean economy and ensures investments help catalyze progress towards a sustainable ocean economy.
Without the Ocean, National Accounts Are Incomplete
by Eli Fenichel, Ben Milligan and Eliza Northrop - July 21, 2020
Ocean accounts operate as a sustainable development scorecard, capturing the long-term health and wealth of a country’s ocean economy.
Integrated Ocean Management: 5 Success Stories of Ocean Health and Wealth
by Jan-Gunnar Winther, Minhan Dai, Eliza Northrop and Ines Aguiar Branco - May 19, 2020
The global ocean is a busy, fragmented place that contributes $1.5 trillion in added economic value. Business as usual will not deliver the long-term ocean health and wealth we need. What's required is a balance between production and protection, people and ocean and an improved response to the needs of all ocean users.
Climate Change Poses an Existential Risk to Ocean Industries. Here’s How They Can Respond.
by Steve Gaines, Erin OReilly, Eliza Northrop and Lauretta Burke - December 10, 2019
Coral reef tourism, worth $35.8 billion globally every year, could experience revenue losses of over 90% based on the current trajectory of warming. Here's how ocean industries can try to avoid that kind of devastation.
4 Things to Know About the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere
by Kelly Levin and Eliza Northrop - September 25, 2019
The ocean has absorbed 20-30% of our carbon emissions since the 1980s. It's feeling the effects.
Turning the Tide: Ocean-Based Solutions Could Close Emission Gap by 21%
by Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Eliza Northrop, Joyashree Roy, Mansi Konar and Jane Lubchenco - September 23, 2019
A new analysis reveals that the ocean is not just a victim of climate change, it is also a powerful source of solutions. Given political will, appropriate policy and investment in technology, the ocean could be a new ally in the fight.
COP24 Climate Change Package Brings Paris Agreement to Life
by David Waskow, Yamide Dagnet, Eliza Northrop and Joe Thwaites - December 21, 2018
After a rocky two weeks of climate talks, countries agreed on rules to implement the Paris Agreement, including guidance on regular communication, reporting, review and stock-taking of progress.
Here's How the Countries Most Vulnerable to Climate Change Can Continue to Lead on Climate Action
by Eliza Northrop - November 21, 2018
Following one of the worst seasons of extreme weather events in recent history, we are a day away from the world's first virtual climate summit. The November 22 Climate Vulnerable Forum Virtual Summit is organized by the 48 countries most vulnerable to climate change, but aims to highlight the urgent need for all countries to enhance their climate ambition.