Having worked both in Australia and overseas, Kelly ‘s expertise lies in domestic and international carbon markets and emissions trading, environmental law, renewable energy and projects in the energy and resources sector.

Ian Taylor, the partner leading the DibbsBarker energy team, said: “DibbsBarker has long assisted clients in the renewable energy and sustainability spaces, including several renowned European and Asian companies.”

Commenting on his appointment, Kelly said: “DibbsBarker is a natural fit for me. As the firm already acts for a number of clients in the renewable energy and sustainability spaces, it is well-positioned to capitalise on the inevitable sector-wide move to a lower carbon economy.”

“Renewable energy and sustainability are practice areas that will continue to grow into the future regardless of how the political debate affects the carbon-pricing mechanism,” said Kelly, adding that given that much of the architecture of the Australian carbon pricing mechanism borrows from the European emissions trading scheme, he looked forward to using the experience he gained working in Europe and across Asia.

Kelly will be primarily based in the DibbsBarker Sydney office.