Conference Chairperson & Opening Remarks

‍

Key Requirements for Ireland under the EU Green Deal – An Overview

• Ireland’s Climate Targets Under the EU Green Deal
• Financial & Compliance Risks for Public Bodies
• Green Energy Transition & Infrastructure Upgrades
• EU Funding & Just Transition Mechanism
• Corporate Sustainability & Public Sector Leadership

Climate Action Planning, Risk Management and Business Continuity

Speaker: Dr Julie Clarke BSc ME PhD CEng MIEI, Assistant Professor in Engineering in Climate Action, Trinity College Dublin

• Step by step approach to designing and implementing climate action strategies at all organisational levels
• Identifying vulnerabilities in transport, energy supply, water management and public services
• Creating resilience plans for severe weather events such as Storm Éowyn, how can current plans be improved
• Establishing clear, measurable goals, identifying key stakeholders and monitoring effectiveness

Digital Traceability and Emissions Reporting in Public Infrastructure Projects

Speaker: John O'Neill, CEO and Founder of HUB360

• Meeting Circular Economy, NEMIS and CSRD obligations with verifiable, journey-level data
• Ensuring compliance with Article 27 and Waste Management legislation
• Case studies from local authorities using digital docket systems for reuse and audit-ready reporting
• Aligning material movement and Scope 3 emissions tracking with CAP24 and procurement standards

Available Grants and Funding for Public Sector Climate Initiatives

• Breakdown of available funding sources including SEAI grants, Climate Action Fund, EU Just Transition Fun, and Horizon Europe opportunities
• Understanding the process for securing government funding
• Meeting the necessary reporting and accountability and transparency standards to secure and retain funding

Circular Economy in Public Sector Operations – Waste Reduction, Product Lifecycles and Resource Efficiency

Speaker: Irish Manufacturing Research’s Circular Economy Team and the CIRCULÉIRE Team

• How can public sector organisations integrate circular economy principles
• Reducing waste – strategies for minimising single use plastics, electronic waste, food waste and construction waste
• Best practices for public sector infrastructure and facilities
• Working with community groups and local business to support sustainable initiatives
• Case Studies

Green Procurement – implementing Sustainable Purchasing Policies in Public Sector Contracts

Speaker: Emma Hinds, Senior Associate, McCann FitzGerald LLP 

• Step-by-step guide to integrating environmental considerations into procurement
• Clear explanation of national and EU policies on sustainable procurement
• Practical steps for public sector organisations to adopt green procurement practices
• Successful green procurement strategies in Irish public bodies

Climate Leadership Training for Senior Management

Speaker: Raoul Empey, Founder and Managing Director, Sustineo

• The Cost of Inaction vs. Taking Action
• Strategic Investment in Sustainable Infrastructure
• Embedding Climate Action into Decision-Making
• Leading by Example to Drive Organisational Change
• Setting sustainability targets

Implementation and Compliance

Speaker: Ciarán Hayes, Sustainable Development & Climate Action Strategist, Ciarán Hayes Consultancy Ltd.

• Establishing & Resourcing Green Teams
• Embedding Sustainability into Decision-Making
• Mandatory Annual Climate Action Reporting
• Ensuring Transparency & Accountability
• Meeting Compliance Requirements Under CAP24 – avoiding potential regulatory penalties and securing continued funding for sustainability initiatives