Iris Kieft
Expertise
As a frontrunner, Iris helped design and set up the Dutch collective system for collection and recycling of packaging waste and has supported the e-waste sector in setting up a collective system. Iris also advises on regulatory and environmental aspects of M&A and financing transactions and arbitrations in the energy sector. In the chemical industry and hydrogen, she acts, among others, for Nouryon, Neste, Nobian and Chemelot. Iris' team participated in the public consultation regarding the design of the Dutch hydrogen market.
Prior to joining NautaDutilh in the fall of 2021, Iris was a partner at public law boutique ENVIR Advocaten. Iris was admitted to the bar in 2008 and worked for nine years in the administrative law department and energy sector group of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek. During her time at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, she was seconded to the London and Beijing offices.
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Work highlights
- Extensive advisory work on one of the two large-scale carbon capture and storage projects in development in the Netherlands.
- Advisory work on the EU CO2 emission trading system (EU ETS) and addressing the regulatory and regulatory uncertainty angles in contract negotiations for various hydrogen and biofuels contracts.
- Supporting TenneT in various energy infrastructure projects and she has been assisting (organisations of) producers in relation to EU extended producer responsibility and circular economy questions since 2012.
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What others say
- "Iris Kieft is highly skilled, focused on solving issues, very down to earth and fact-based."
Chambers Europe, 2026 - "Iris Kieft is an excellent litigator and a pleasant person to work with. She responds quickly, has great technical and strategic skills and is able to navigate the most complex legal challenges."
Chambers Europe, 2026 - "Iris Kieft is legally and analytically very good, as well as approachable and reachable for clients."
Chambers Europe, 2026 - "Iris Kieft has not only provided good advice but has also coordinated the inputs from other areas of the law firm very effectively."
Chambers Europe, 2025 - "Iris Kieft is a strong professional and a pleasant person to work with. She responds quickly, has great technical skills and demonstrates a proven ability to handle and win complex matters."
Chambers Europe 2025 - "Iris Kieft is an excellent litigator with a deep understanding of environmental law. She is able to navigate the most complex legal challenges."
Chambers Europe, 2025 - "Iris Kieft is smart, passionate, experienced and approachable. I would recommend her to anyone for complex, high-end legal issues in the field of environmental law."
Chambers Europe, 2025 - "She is capable of handling extremely complex cases, while maintaining a clear understanding of the bigger picture."
Chambers Europe, 2024 - "Iris Kieft is a highly experienced lawyer in the field of environmental law. She is a great sparring partner and her love for the profession shows in her interactions."
The Legal 500, 2024 - "Iris Kieft has a strong drive, great analytical skills and extensive sector knowledge. Combined with her composed and approachable character she is a great boardroom advisor and sparring partner for large enterprises in the industrial or energy sector."
The Legal 500, 2024 - "Iris Kieft and her team has in depth knowledge of environmental remediation matters in the Netherlands. She offers expertise on local and EU law as well as common sense approaches for how businesses can manage risks and their relationship with environmental regulators."
The Legal 500, 2024 - "Iris Kieft is a gem in the energy industry: she is pleasant to work with, has outstanding and impressive expertise, experience, intellect, while at the same time delivering pragmatic and to the point advice. Her deep knowledge of ETS cannot be left unmentioned."
The Legal 500, 2025 - "A very bright lawyer, she’s down to earth and friendly, but at the same time very effective and focused on results."
The Legal 500 EMEA, 2021 - "She is a very technical and skilled lawyer."
Chambers Europe, 2022
- "Iris Kieft is highly skilled, focused on solving issues, very down to earth and fact-based."
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Ancillary functions
Iris is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Academy of European Law (ERA) and a board member of Stibat, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes responsible use of batteries and accumulators and realises end-of-life solutions including collection, sorting and recycling.
