Photo courtesy of the Bureau of International Recycling
The Brussels-based Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has added Olatz Finez as a trade and environment policy officer, acting as a new member of the global recycling association’s advocacy staff.
Olatz has more than six years of experience working in contact with European institutions with a focus on policy analysis, legal research and strategic advocacy.
“Through her work at the Delegation of the Basque Country to the European Union, Olatz obtained thorough knowledge of sustainability policies including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and the EU Green Deal,” BIR says.
In those roles, BIR says Finez gained critical skills in advancing the delegation’s goals and in drafting comprehensive research reports regarding policy updates.
“Her understanding of sound and effective environmental policy and public governance was deepened through her work at the European Ombudsman,” BIR says.
Finez increased her familiarity with environmental and climate affairs by working as a policy officer for the European Environmental Bureau, where she followed developments on industrial pollution prevention, the EU Chemical Strategy for sustainability and policies surrounding critical raw materials.
“We are very pleased to welcome Olatz to our advocacy team at BIR,” BIR Trade and Environment Director Alev Somer says. “As trade and environment policy officer, she will lead our work on ferrous, stainless, critical raw materials and shredders, while also overseeing policy developments across the EU and Latin America regions.
“With her strong legal background and experience in EU environmental law and international trade, Olatz will play a key role in supporting our members and advancing our industry’s priorities. We look forward to achieving new milestones together.”
Originally from the Basque region of Spain, Olatz obtained a degree in law and international relations in her hometown of Bilbao, Spain, later specializing in human rights law with a focus on climate and environment issues at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.
Finez speaks fluent Basque, Spanish, English and French, and is studying Italian and German. BIR members will be able to meet her in person at the upcoming convention in Bangkok in late October.