· 9 min read
👉 See illuminem's guide to the unmissable sustainability events of 2025 or continue below to navigate the events of 2026.
As the leading platform for sustainability information and data, illuminem is delighted to present a comprehensive list of the "must-attend" sustainability events of 2026 – a year set to reshape global efforts toward a greener future.
Events recommended by illuminem are marked with a ⭐, while those offering our readers an exclusive (typically 30%) discount carry the 🎟️ badge!
January
⭐ 13–15 January | World Future Energy Summit | Abu Dhabi, UAE 🇦🇪
Main focus: Renewables ⚡, Green Tech 🚀
Description: MENA’s flagship clean-energy gathering returns to ADNEC with 50k+ attendees, 300+ speakers and a broad expo spanning solar, hydrogen, storage and smart cities
⭐ 19–23 January | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting | Davos, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Main focus: Ethical Governance 🏛, Social Responsibility 🤝, Sustainable Business 💼
Description: World leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will convene in Davos to engage in discussions to address global issues and set priorities. The call for bold collective action makes the meeting particularly relevant. Contact us to join, as we’re delighted to offer our readers discounted tickets along with a special illuminem gift!
February
17–19 February | GreenBiz 26 | Phoenix, USA 🇺🇲 🌐
Main focus: Sustainable Business 💼, ESG 📊
Description: The premier U.S. corporate sustainability forum returns; themes include Scope 3, climate tech and transition planning, with participants including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs, heads of legal, supply chain, human resources, and investor relations
March
⭐ 2–4 March | Economist Impact: Sustainability Week | London, UK 🇬🇧
Main focus: Sustainable Business 💼, Energy Transition 🌿
Description: A flagship global forum bringing together C-suite leaders, investors, and regulators to accelerate sustainable business transformation. The 11th edition features a dedicated Energy Transition Summit, spotlighting actionable pathways to decarbonisation, resilience, and long-term value creation
4–5 March | Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit | London, UK 🇬🇧
Main focus: Net Zero 🌿, Sustainable Business 💼
Description: An event for senior sustainability leaders driving decarbonisation at scale with spotlight on the critical intersection between sustainability and supply chains bringing together procurement, supply chain, and sustainability professionals to accelerate collective impact
11-12 March | Carbon Capture Europe Summit | Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Main focus: Carbon 🌫️
Description: A Summit seeking to drive innovation and investment in Europe’s transition to carbon neutrality, focusing on cross-border CO₂ transport, scaling carbon removal technologies (BECCS, DAC, carbon farming), and fostering collaboration among industrial clusters
24–25 March | Climate Technology Show (UK) | London (ExCeL), UK 🇬🇧
Main focus: Green Tech 🚀
Description: Exhibition and conference uniting business, policy and tech leaders to explore the rapidly evolving climate-tech value chain, from carbon capture and clean energy to circular economy platforms and climate-resilient infrastructure. This event offers an opportunity to connect in advancing market-ready climate solutions
30–31 March & 1 April | ChangeNOW 2026 | Paris, France 🇫🇷
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Sustainable Business 💼
Description: Brings together a global community of innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and policy-makers with a mission to identify and scale the most impactful solutions for the planet – a platform to discover and accelerate climate-tech and nature-positive business models
April
8-9 April 2026 | Climate Tech Connect | Washington D.C., USA 🇺🇸
Main focus: Green Tech 🚀
Description: Global conference that delves into the intersection of climate resilience and cutting-edge technology with thought leaders, innovators and leading industry experts committed to advancing climate adaptation and resilience at scale
May
4–9 May | Climate Week Zurich | Zurich, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Main focus: Sustainable Finance 💰, Sustainable Business 💼
Description: Switzerland’s growing climate finance and innovation week that drives sustainable transformation across business, policy, and society, connecting key players to accelerate climate innovation, adaptation, and resilience strategies
6 May | PRI Regional Summit 2026 | Abu Dhabi, UAE 🇦🇪
Main focus: Sustainable Finance 💰
Description: With senior delegates, including investors, policymakers, regulators, sovereign wealth funds, and leading thinkers, the summit will go beyond broad conversations – instead focusing on making the business case for responsible investment
June
⭐ 3-8 June | Venice Conference on Climate Change & Sustainability | Venice, Italy 🇮🇹
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: The key sustainability event of the Adenauer Foundation, Bocconi University, Venice University, and Politecnico di Milano, bringing together over 100 leading experts to advance climate governance and sustainability
⭐ 20–28 June | London Climate Action Week 2026 | London, UK 🇬🇧
Main focus: Green Tech 🚀, Net Zero 🌿
Description: Europe’s largest city-wide climate festival returns with 700+ events, partnering across finance, tech, cities and culture
⭐ 23–24 June | Reset Connect London 2026 | London, UK 🇬🇧
Main focus: Sustainable Business 💼, Sustainable Finance 💰
Description: The flagship event of London Climate Action Week, showcasing the latest in clean energy, green finance, and impact investments to accelerate net-zero strategies and sustainable growth
July
7-9 July | Asia Climate Summit 2026 | Hong Kong, China 🇭🇰
Main focus: Carbon 🌫️, Sustainable Finance 💰
Description: One of Asia’s leading financial summits that brings together policymakers, investors, and market experts to define Asia’s role in shaping global carbon markets while exploring opportunities to engage in the transition to a sustainable economy
28-29 July | Australian Clean Energy Summit 2026 | Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
Main focus: Renewables ⚡, Energy Transition 🌿
Description: Australia’s flagship clean-energy leadership conference that brings together the most influential leaders and voices from across the sector including leaders, policymakers and technical specialists driving the country's energy transformation
August
21-24 August | World Sustainability Forum | Hong Kong, China 🇭🇰
Main focus: Sustainable living 🏡, Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: A global platform with aim to bridge scientific research, societal needs, and policy implementation. With a rigorous research focus and multi-sector approach, it stands as a platform for accelerating urban sustainability, climate adaptation, and equitable green transitions worldwide
September
⭐ TBA | Building Bridges 2026 | Geneva, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Main focus: Sustainable Finance 💰
Description: Europe's leading forum for sustainable finance, renowned for launching transformative initiatives, like the Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment (CAPE), and aligning financial systems with sustainability goals. Read more on the 2025 edition
October
⭐ 5-6 October | The Economist Sustainability Week | Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Main focus: ESG 🏢, Public Governance 🌍
Description: The event brings together leaders in business, policy, and innovation with focus on implementing measurable change through transformative technologies, evolving sustainability regulations, and cross-sector collaboration to advance both business resilience and planetary well-being
⭐ 18-26 October | UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) | Yereven, Armenia 🇦🇲
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🐟, Biodiversity 🌳
Description: A significant gathering to negotiate the next phase of the Global Biodiversity Framework, uniting countries, scientists, and Indigenous representatives to advance international biodiversity targets, shape new conservation policies, and align finance, science, and governance to halt ecosystem loss and accelerate nature-positive pathways
20-23 October | Greenbuild International Conference & Expo 2026 | (USA) 🇺🇸
Main focus: Sustainable living 🏡
Description: A premier international gathering where building leaders, engineers, and sustainability professionals explore cutting-edge materials, technologies, and standards driving the transformation toward healthier, low-carbon, and resilient buildings worldwide
28-29 October | Global Summit on Climate Change | Paris, France 🇫🇷
Main focus: Climate Change 🌳, Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: A globally recognised summit that blends scientific expertise, policy leadership, and industry innovation to accelerate progress on climate adaptation and sustainability. Gathering influential voices from around the world, it stands out for its ability to turn global insights into real-world climate action
November
3–6 November | Ecomondo 2026 | Rimini, Italy 🇮🇹
Main focus: Green Tech 🚀, Circular Economy ♻️
Description: Europe’s leading event for the green and circular economy, bringing together key players from industry, policy, and research to showcase cutting-edge technologies, drive innovation, and foster sustainable business models
3–5 November | Smart City Expo World Congress 2026 | Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸
Main focus: Green Tech 🚀, Sustainable Living 🏡
Description: The world’s leading event on urban innovation, bringing together 1,100+ exhibitors and 25,000+ visitors to drive sustainable, tech-driven and inclusive urbanization
TBA | Web Summit 2026 | Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹
Main focus: Green Tech 🚀, Net Zero 🌿
Description: A powerhouse event for innovators and leaders, uniting CEOs, founders, and investors to shape the future of technology. Expect conversations on how tech can drive sustainability, with a dynamic mix of talks, networking, and showcases
⭐ TBA | COP31: UN Climate Change Conference 2026 | (Host TBA) 🌐
Main focus: Climate Change 🌳, Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Ethical Governance 🏛
Description: This landmark event gathers nations, NGOs, and stakeholders to tackle the climate crisis. The annual UN climate summit; location and dates to be confirmed by the UNFCCC
Keep an eye on this page, as we will continue to update this calendar with new, unmissable events. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletters for a quick recap of these updates.
Contact us if you want to suggest an event for this guide, and partner with us to be featured alongside Thought Leaders (the world's largest sustainability expert network) and engage with a vibrant community of 500,000+ sustainability professionals.
