In a world shaken by the economic and geopolitical fallout of the war in Iran, the path to net zero has become more complex—but also more urgent. John opens our event exploring how energy instability, supply-chain pressures and shifting global alliances are reshaping climate strategy and discusses the critical choices leaders must take to keep decarbonisation on track in an era of global instability

Ireland is set to miss its legally binding emissions reduction targets by a wide margin. With the potential cost of EU fines running as high as €28 billion, the question is: could that money be better spent cutting emissions instead? Has attention shifted toward making deeper cuts after 2030, or are we backing away from meaningful climate action altogether?

Extreme weather events are already causing significant economic losses, proving that emission cuts are insufficient without preparing for unavoidable climate impacts. Hear how adaptation is now a priority for governments and organisations in the developed and developing world

Sustainability is a team effort at Munster Rugby – becoming part of the club culture, not just club operations. - Engaging teams and partners through shared language - Translating ESG concepts into meaningful stories - Balancing aspiration with practical action

With sustainability remaining high on the EU’s legislative and policy agenda, businesses should be aware of the broad range of legal obligations coming down the track. Jill will discuss: - how to manage the changing legislation - understanding the key issues - the potential impact on business operations - taking steps to ensure regulatory compliance

Safe operating thresholds in 7 of the 9 planetary boundaries are now exceeded, social inequality is growing both nationally and internationally and responsibility for sustainability is increasingly being assigned to the Board. - What is the sustainability elephant in the room? - How should boards prepare for long term resilience and viability, while also dealing with short term responses to current geopolitical events? - How do boards develop sufficient sustainability competencies to meet their fiduciary responsibilities? - How can sustainability be seamlessly integrated into existing governance, strategy and risk management processes?

As the sustainability transition gains pace, skills shortages are a big challenge for businesses and governments. How can educational institutions, industry leaders and policymakers align to cultivate the next generation of professionals with sustainability skills? We explore innovative apprenticeship schemes, education reforms and upskilling initiatives.

Anne makes the business case for nature and shares her insights on how organisations can turn complex climate and nature challenges into investable, scalable opportunities.

Businesses are key drivers of the climate transition and must integrate climate and nature when embracing sustainable practices, renewable energy and low-carbon solutions. In this session you’ll hear practical insights from businesses about how they are integrating nature-positive actions into their decarbonisation strategy. Key Takeaways: - The business benefits and key nature-positive actions in decarbonisation - Recommended first steps for companies - How to assess your company’s nature-related impacts and dependencies - Strategic and practical challenges