Railla first developed an interest in international climate law and policy as a law student working for the University of the Philippines Institute for International Legal Studies. Since then, she has attended UNFCCC sessions in various capacities, including as negotiator and legal adviser for the Philippine government, and as Policy Coordinator for Climate Action Network, co-lead of the ENGO constituency. She previously worked for the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines as Legal Services Division Chief where she oversaw the national process for signing and ratifying the Paris Agreement and led the coordination of the Philippine delegation for COP 22 in Marrakesh. Railla has also done extensive research on oceans and climate, climate change and the rule of law, governance of climate geoengineering technologies, REDD+ and agriculture, and human rights and the environment, in collaboration with various intergovernmental organizations, national governments, and civil society groups.
In 2020, Railla obtained her LL.M. degree in Environmental Law, specializing in Global Environmental Law, from Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law with summa cum laude honors. She also holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines and a Bachelor of Science degree, major in Psychology, from the Ateneo de Manila University. She is a member of the Philippine bar since 2015.
