Here at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), we know our strength comes from the people who make up our movement — from our staff, to our partners, to our steadfast supporters. Our “Meet Our Staff” series will introduce you to some of our amazing staff members, who work behind the scenes every day to defend the right to a healthy environment.
Francesca Mingrone is a Geneva-based Staff Attorney for the Climate & Energy Program, and has been with CIEL since April 2020. Francesca received her JD from LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome, where she specialized in International Law. Before joining CIEL, she worked as a policy officer at Independent Diplomat, in Geneva, which included advising the Republic of the Marshall Islands on climate diplomacy. We spoke with Francesca about her interest in CIEL’s multi-actor approach to climate work, the challenges and opportunities facing the environmental movement, and more.
Tell us about the work you do at CIEL.
Francesca: I joined CIEL in April as a Staff Attorney within the Climate and Energy Program, focusing on human rights and climate change. This involves several tasks. Firstly, preparing reports on specific countries for the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies. This is really interesting work because we provide our own legal advice, yet the specific information on the policies comes from affected partners on the ground.
Another stream of my work is within the Human Rights and Climate Change Working Group. This is an informal group of climate change experts, national human rights institutions, and people from academia, discussing interlinkages between human rights and climate change. In my role, I make sure that the working group runs smoothly and that we ensure effective participation as possible from different actors.
Finally, the third pillar of my work is public participation in the context of the Paris Climate Agreement. My team is looking at how this can push countries to adopt stronger climate policies, while simultaneously supporting them in implementing more participatory processes at the national level.
What did you do before joining CIEL’s staff?
F: I studied at law school in Italy, specializing in international law. After law school, I did a master’s in international development in Geneva. In the meantime, I completed a short internship at the Environmental Law Institute before working at the secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions in Geneva. In 2017, I joined Independent Diplomat, a small non-profit that provides advice to minority groups and small states. There, I was a policy officer on human rights and climate change. I joined CIEL because I realized that I wanted to use the law as a tool to improve environmental policies and governance and contribute to the development of human rights and environmental law.
Why do you think the work you do/CIEL does is important?
F: I really appreciate how versatile CIEL is. Of course, we are very policy oriented, but what I really like is that we work closely with grassroots organizations. This is crucial because it allows us to understand their pressing issues, and how these organizations want certain matters to be framed. At the same time, we also partner with states and international organizations. I think this is what really makes CIEL special: to be able to speak with quite a wide range of actors at different policy levels.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the movement right now? Biggest opportunity?
F: The issue of inclusivity is the biggest challenge, as well as the biggest opportunity. The environmental movement is increasingly acknowledging that it needs to be more inclusive of a wider range of voices and experiences. There are incredible front-line activists from a huge range of groups, including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, people of color, women’s groups, and more. Often, their voices are not acknowledged enough by the media and the movement itself. I think it’s only by being more inclusive that the movement will be able to tackle structural inequalities and really bring about the most effective change.
For someone who’s looking to make an impact for the environment, what do you think are the best ways to get involved?
F: I would definitely suggest being very curious, because there are many ways in which one can have impacts. Each of us has a specific inclination: some might really enjoy working in grassroots organizations on the ground, others might prefer working in the policy space within an NGO, or within international organizations. I suggest that those seeking a career in the environmental policy field experiment with as many things as possible.
What do you like to do in your free time?
F: In Geneva, where I’m based, the outdoors are really beautiful. We’ve got great mountains, the countryside, the lake — so I really try to make the most of what nature offers. I also like to go to concerts with friends, especially concerts featuring jazz and classical music.
What book are you reading right now?
F: I’ve just started Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. It’s a milestone book, one that I’ve heard a lot about, and that people reference all the time. Even though it was written almost 60 years ago, it’s very interesting to read first-hand the words that inspired public opinion about the impacts of chemicals on the environment and human health.
Tell us something people would be surprised to learn about you!
F: I’m a bit of a Latin geek. I studied Latin for eight years during middle and high school. I was even a finalist in a national competition, and I did the first translation from Latin to Italian of some ancient sayings collected by Erasmus of Rotterdam.
If your coworkers were to give you a superlative award (e.g., most likely to succeed, most likely to brighten your day), what would it be?
F: I always try to bring a smile to people’s face, even if it’s just a silly joke. I think that keeping up a good vibe in the working environment is very important and I think I’m most likely to do that.
Interviewed by Owen Torrey, Communications Intern
Originally posted on October 1, 2020