Top 10: Sustainability Events

Climate change is a global issue affecting everyone. According to the World Health Organisation, 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to its impacts. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is key to improving public health worldwide.

Sustainability conferences offer a vital platform for industry leaders to collaborate on innovative solutions that protect the planet and its inhabitants. As the UN highlights, "from showcasing climate action to increasing ambition, these events create space for dialogue and knowledge-sharing."

Many events now offer hybrid formats, enabling global participation without the need for travel.

We've ranked 10 key events that are shaping the future of sustainability as we strive to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal.

10. CleanTech Forum North America

CEO: Richard Youngman
Focus: Climate tech
Founded: 2011
Location: San Diego, California
​​​​​​​Attendees: 700

CleanTech Forum North America serves as a crucial event for climate tech innovators and investors. It focuses on advancing technologies that aim to reduce carbon emissions and create sustainable solutions across industries.

This forum provides a dynamic space for climate tech startups, established companies and investors to explore innovations in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and circular economy models.

By fostering these collaborations, the event plays a key role in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

“Cleantech is a cross-cutting innovation theme,” says CEO Richard Youngman. “It involves so many geographies, all the sciences, all technology readiness levels (TRLs) and company development stages.”

9. EarthX 2025

CEO: Rajan Singh
Focus: Environmental sustainability 
Founded: 2010
Location: Dallas, Texas
​​​​​​​Attendees: 177,000

EarthX has grown into one of the world’s largest environmental gatherings. It began as a local Earth Day event in Dallas but now focuses on broad issues related to environmental sustainability and climate change.

EarthX offers businesses and policymakers a platform to present and discuss innovative solutions for reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to renewable energy and promoting biodiversity. This annual event attracts a global audience and provides vital insights into how we can tackle the pressing environmental challenges of our time.

CEO Rajan Singh says EarthX is “not just hosting a conference; we are fostering a global dialogue on sustainability”.

8. ACESD 2024

International Advisory Chair: Vincenzo Belgiorno 
Focus: Environment and sustainable development
Founded: 2016
​​​​​​​Location: Osaka, Japan

The Asia Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development (ACESD) is a leading platform for scientific discussion around climate solutions. This conference brings together researchers and professionals focused on sustainable development, aiming to share the latest advancements in environmental protection.

ACESD's hybrid format enables wide participation, with in-depth discussions about the role of science and technology in combating climate change, reducing emissions, and protecting ecosystems. It's an important forum for the exchange of ideas that could shape the future of environmental policy and climate tech.

7. VERGE

CEO: Eric Faurot
Focus: Climate tech
Founded: 2011
Location: San Jose, California
​​​​​​​Attendees: 6,000

VERGE, hosted by GreenBiz, is all about convergence — bringing together sectors like energy, transportation and buildings to create a unified approach to climate tech. This event showcases the latest innovations aimed at reducing carbon footprints and increasing energy efficiency.

VERGE’s broad scope includes discussions on electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and smart cities, making it a key event for anyone looking to understand the interconnection between technology and sustainability. Its location in Silicon Valley further emphasises the tech-driven nature of climate solutions.

Jennivine Kwan, Sustainability Strategist for Wells Fargo, says “VERGE takes the pulse of the market and I look forward to this event every year”. 

6. Innovation Zero

CEO: Paul Dunne
Focus: Net zero
Founded: 2022
Location: London
​​​​​​​Attendees: 10,000

Innovation Zero, held in London, focuses on the race to net-zero emissions, bringing together global leaders across industries to discuss strategies for decarbonisation. This conference plays an essential role in shaping climate policy and technology, addressing topics such as carbon capture, renewable energy and sustainable finance.

Innovation Zero is a unique opportunity for businesses and governments to collaborate on achieving the ambitious net-zero targets, particularly in sectors that are historically difficult to decarbonise, such as manufacturing and transportation.

Innovation Zero Chair, Sir Liam Fox MP says: “We need a sense of urgency on the issue, to continually stress the concept of sustainability and use technology to shape the world around us, not let the world shape us.” 

5. ICSD

President: Jeffrey Sachs  
Focus: Sustainable development 
Founded: 2013
Location: Grand Dakar, Senegal 
​​​​​​​Attendees: 2,000

The International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) is a major event for leaders focused on achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This hybrid event encourages collaboration between governments, businesses and researchers to create practical solutions for sustainable growth.

ICSD particularly emphasises the importance of technology and innovation in meeting the global climate goals, making it a vital space for discussions on renewable energy, water conservation and climate resilience in vulnerable regions.

The first ICSD was a small meeting in Dakar, Senegal, but participants felt they needed a larger conference to bring more people into the dialogue.

Sustainable Development Solutions Network President Jeffrey Sachs says the event will feature “engaging side events and thought-provoking speeches and conversations from leaders in the field of sustainable development”. 

4. The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Davos

Executive Chairman: Klaus Schwab
Focus: Global issues
Founded: 1971
Location: Davos Klosters, Switzerland
​​​​​​​Attendees: 2,800

The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos is renowned for its focus on global challenges, with climate change at the top of the agenda. The WEF Annual Meeting serves as a platform for world leaders, CEOs and experts to explore the policies and technologies needed to ensure a just energy transition.

The event features extensive discussions on how businesses and governments can collaborate to mitigate the impacts of climate change while ensuring economic growth. It’s an essential stop for anyone serious about understanding global climate initiatives.

WEF President Børge Brende says: “I’m proud that we will host discussions on a wide range of topics as we look to find solutions to the challenges that we all face.”

3. Climate Week NYC

CEO: Helen Clarkson
Focus: Climate change 
Founded: 2009 
Location: New York City
​​​​​​​Attendees: 2,000

Climate Week NYC offers a packed schedule of more than 600 events focused on climate action. It gathers global leaders in business, government and civil society to accelerate efforts in sectors like energy, transportation and urban development. This event plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration between high-emitting sectors and those focused on innovation in climate tech.

From carbon reduction technologies to sustainable finance, Climate Week NYC is a must-attend for anyone working to combat climate change at scale.

Climate Group Chairman Mike Rann says: “I’m immensely proud of our work in mobilising governments and businesses around the world to take action, in key high emitting sectors such as energy, transport, industry, and the built environment.” 

This year, the inaugural Climate Film Festival New York will take place in the opening weekend of Climate Week, giving audiences an opportunity to engage with our climate in a new way. 

Also new for 2024 is Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC, a one-day ‘invitation-only’ summit offering unique networking and learning opportunities taking place on 24 September.

2. COP29

President: Mukhtar Babayev
Focus: Climate change
Founded: 1995
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

Attendees: 70,000

The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku will once again gather global leaders to advance the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol.

COP29 will focus on creating actionable plans to reduce global carbon emissions and encourage sustainable development, with a special emphasis on green energy solutions. Azerbaijan’s commitment to sustainable energy development makes it an ideal host for this pivotal event.

COP29 will be a decisive moment in the global fight against climate change, bringing forward the latest in climate tech, policy innovation, and international cooperation.

Baku is described as a city “founded upon oil”, so sustainable developments in the area are welcomed. 

When elected as host country of COP29, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said: "Being elected by unanimous decision as the host country for COP29 is really a big honour for us. We consider it as a sign of respect from the international community to Azerbaijan and what we are doing, in particular, in the area of green energy.”

1. Sustainability LIVE London

CEO: Glen White
Focus: Sustainability 
Founded: 2022
Location: London
​​​​​​​Attendees: 8,000 (2023)

Sustainability LIVE, held in London, is one of the leading global conferences focusing on sustainability and ESG strategies. It brings together key figures from some of the world’s largest corporations to discuss practical solutions for a sustainable future.

Sustainability LIVE offers insights into the latest trends in climate tech, renewable energy and green finance, making it an essential event for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact.

The 2024 edition will also feature the inaugural Global Sustainability Awards, further elevating the conversation around corporate responsibility and climate action.

The event was sold out in 2023 and is expected to be equally as jam-packed this year.

Sustainability LIVE has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Conference and Events Awards for Best New Conference/Event with more than 600 attendees.

“The event has been described as the 'most granular sustainability event in the world' by many of its participants and that is because we showcase real people, managing large enterprises who implement these sustainability and ESG strategies globally on a daily basis - I do not believe there is another event even close to being at this level,” says Glen White, Founder and CEO of BizClik Media and Sustainability Magazine.

“We’re proud to be recognised in this shortlist and proud that Sustainability LIVE is continuing to grow as we also launch the Global Sustainability Awards at the next Sustainability LIVE Global Summit in London on 10 and 11 September.”

Sustainability Magazine will be hosting a further five events in 2024, both virtual and in-person. Don’t miss out on your chance to hear from leading industry experts.

Essential diary dates for 2024 and 2025…

Sustainability LIVE continues to expand its events with more to come in 2024 and 2025, discover our essential diary dates below.

2024 diary dates:

• Sustainability LIVE London | 10-11 September 2024
• Sustainability & ESG Awards | 10 September 2024
• Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC | 24 September 2024
• Sustainability LIVE Malta | 17 October 2024
• Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion | 12 November 2024
• NEW | The CSO Network
• NEW | ClimateTech Magazine
• NEW | Scope3 Magazine
• NEW | Diversity Magazine

2025 diary dates: 

• Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero | 5-6 March 2025
• Sustainability LIVE Singapore | 18 March 2025
• Sustainability LIVE Dubai | 22 April 2025
• Sustainability LIVE Chicago | 4-5 June 2025
• Sustainability LIVE London | 9-10 September 2025
• Sustainability & ESG Awards | 10 September 2025
• Sustainability LIVE: DE&I | 11 November 2025

******

Receive the next edition of ClimateTech Magazine by signing up for its newsletter. 

As part of this portfolio, make sure you check out Sustainability Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series -  Sustainability LIVE. 

Also check out our Sister Brand, Energy Digital. 

******

ClimateTech Digital is a BizClik brand.