illuminem guide to top sustainability events of 2026

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👉 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

10–11 January | xChange 2026 | Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦
Main focus: Ethical Governance 🏛, Social Responsibility 🤝
Description: xChange 2026 unites EWB Canada’s community, alumni, and partners to explore systemic change, tackle root causes of social challenges, and co-create solutions for a sustainable future

⭐ 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 January | CSO Awards Europe 2026 | Davos, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Main focus: Sustainable Business 💼, Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: Celebrating the Top 100 European CSOs who drive sustainability at scale, championing innovation, impact, and leadership in major companies

⭐ 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!

⭐ 26-28 January | Cleantech Forum North America | San Diego, USA 🇺🇲
Main focus: Renewables ⚡, Green Tech 🚀
Description: North America’s leading cleantech gathering, bringing together 600+ investors, corporates, and innovators for networking, market insights, and the breakthrough technologies shaping the future of climate solutions

⭐ 26-29 January | Odeon: End to Begin | Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹
Main focus: Sustainable living 🏡, Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: End to Begin’ is a documentary theatre production exploring humanity’s hopes, fears, and actions, connecting past and future through science, philosophy, and climate engagement

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 

23–25 February | Globe Forum 2026 | Vancouver, Canada 🇨🇦
Main focus: ESG 📊, Ethical Governance 🏛
Description: Globe Forum 2026 unites Canadian leaders, innovators, and policymakers to tackle the country’s toughest challenges, unlock partnerships, and drive strategies for a clean, competitive, and resilient economy

25–27 February | World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) | New Delhi, India 🇮🇳
Main focus: ESG 📊, Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: WSDS 2026 marks the 25th edition of the summit, bringing together global leaders and change-makers to explore vision, perspectives, and value-driven strategies essential for sustainable development and climate action

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 | World Ocean Summit & Expo | Montréal, Canada 🇨🇦
Main focus: ESG 📊, Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: The 13th World Ocean Summit 2026 brings together business, policy, and finance leaders to turn global ocean milestones into action, exploring innovative tools, investment strategies, and collaborative solutions for a resilient and sustainable ocean economy

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

10-11 March | Climate Risk Reporting | London, UK 🇬🇧
Main focus: ESG 📊
Description: Climate Risk Reporting 2026 is Europe’s largest climate reporting event, uniting reporting leads, investors, and experts to navigate ISSB standards, transition planning, and advanced climate risk insights

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

18-19 March | Responsible Investment Forum | New York, USA 🇺🇸 
Main focus: Sustainable Finance 💰
Description: RIF NY 2026 brings together private markets leaders and responsible investment experts to share insights, benchmark strategies, and explore how sustainability can drive portfolio performance, resilience, and value creation

⭐ 18-20 March | Villars Institute Summit 2026 | Villars‑sur‑Ollon, Switzerland 🇨🇭 
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Biodiversity 🌳
Description: Villars Summit 2026 brings together 300 experts, leaders, and innovators to tackle climate and biodiversity challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate systemic change

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 | 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

12-14 April | Impact Investing Forum 2026 | West Palm Beach, USA 🇺🇸
Main focus: Sustainable Finance 💰, Sustainable Business 💼
Description: The 12th Annual Impact Investing Forum brings together leading investors, managers, and innovators to explore strategies that drive positive social and environmental impact alongside competitive financial returns

14-15 April | Scope 3 Summit | Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪
Main focus: ESG 📊, Green Tech 🚀
Description: The 4th Annual Scope 3 Summit 2026 brings together European sustainability, procurement, and finance leaders to turn Scope 3 ambitions into measurable results through data-driven reporting, verified emission reductions, and cross-sector collaboration

14-15 April | Impact Summit Europe | Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Main focus: ESG 📊, Sustainable Finance 💰
Description: Impact Summit Europe is a leading institutional investor conference dedicated to advancing high-impact, values-aligned investing that drives measurable environmental and social outcomes alongside strong financial returns

14-15 April | The World ESG Summit & Awards | Dubai, UAE 🇦🇪
Main focus: ESG 📊, Ethical Governance 🏛
Description: A leading global ESG gathering bringing together policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders to exchange insights, showcase best practices, and co-create actionable strategies

18-26 April | SF Climate Week | San Francisco, USA 🇺🇸
Main focus: ESG 📊, Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: SF Climate Week 2026 is a decentralised, week-long gathering across the Bay Area, connecting thousands of attendees, organisations, and events to share ideas, foster collaboration, and accelerate practical climate solutions

20-22 April | EarthX | Dallas, USA 🇺🇸
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Ethical Governance 🏛
Description: EarthX 2026 gathers global leaders, experts, and advocates across the environmental spectrum to exchange ideas, inspire action, and advance solutions for a sustainable future

20-22 April | International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability | Rhodes, Greece 🇬🇷
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Ethical Governance 🏛, ESG 📊
Description: This conference brings together a global community exploring sustainability at the intersection of environmental, cultural, economic, and social dimensions, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and actionable strategies

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 

5–7 May | Global Fashion Summit | Copenhagen, Denmark 🇩🇰
Main focus: Sustainable Business 💼, Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: Copenhagen Edition 2026 convenes industry leaders for three days of dialogue, networking, and actionable solutions shaping the future of sustainable and innovative fashion

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

12–13 May | Industrial Decarbonisation Europe 2026 | Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Main focus: Carbon 🌫️, Sustainable Business 💼
Description: This event will explore pathways for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, balancing competitiveness with climate goals, enhancing supply chain transparency, and leveraging cross-sector collaboration and diverse leadership to drive industrial transformation

18–21 May | Ecosperity Week 2026 | Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 🇸🇬
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Carbon 🌫️, Energy Transition 🌿
Description: A high-level convening on climate, energy, finance, decarbonisation and resilience bringing together leaders across sectors to shape a sustainable future

19–20 May | Climate & Impact Summit | London, UK 🇬🇧
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Sustainable Finance 💰
Description: The FT Climate & Impact Summit convenes global leaders to tackle the accelerating climate crisis and explore practical, cross-sector strategies for building a resilient, net-zero, and more sustainable economy

20–21 May | Annual European Sustainable Finance Conference | Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Main focus: Sustainable Finance 💰
Description: The European Sustainable Finance Conference 2026 brings together senior finance leaders, policymakers, and advisors to explore sustainable finance strategies, regulatory developments, and market innovations shaping the EU, UK, and global transition

27–28 May | World ESG and Climate Summit | Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Main focus: Sustainable Finance 💰, ESG 📊
Description: The 3rd Annual World ESG and Climate Summit — a global forum uniting decision-makers, investors and sustainability experts to explore ESG strategies, climate action, and sustainable finance for a resilient future

June

⭐ 3-8 June | Venice Climate Week | Venice, Italy 🇮🇹
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍
Description: The Venice Climate Week gathers public officials, climate scientists, businesses, investors, and NGOs, focusing on urban decarbonisation strategies, adaptation for coastal infrastructure, clean energy deployment, and ocean and marine ecosystem protection

9-10 June | The Futures Conference 2026 | Turku, Finland 🇫🇮
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Sustainable Business 💼
Description: The Futures Conference 2026 convenes international researchers, business leaders, and students to explore sustainability transformation, long-term thinking, and innovative approaches for building just, resilient, and sustainable futures

16-18 June | Our Ocean Conference | Mombasa, Kenya 🇰🇪
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Biodiversity 🌳
Description: The Our Ocean Conference 2026 gathers global leaders to advance ambitious commitments for protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, driving action for people, climate, and biodiversity

⭐ 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

29–30 June | Hamburg Sustainability Conference | Hamburg, Germany 🇩🇪
Main focus: Environmental Sustainability 🌍, Green Tech 🚀, Ethical Governance 🏛
Description: The Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2026 convenes global leaders to confront urgent sustainability, technology, and governance challenges, fostering dialogue and cooperation to strengthen resilience and reimagine multilateralism

26–30 June & 1-3 July | Water in Industry 2026 | Delft, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Main focus: Energy Transition 🌿, ESG 🏢
Description: WIN2026 focuses on advancing sustainable industrial water management amid rising challenges such as hazardous organics, high salinity, broad flux loads, and intensive energy and material demands

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

4-11 September | Euronext Sustainability Week | Milan, Italy 🇮🇹
Main focus: Sustainable Finance 💰, ESG 🏢
Description: Euronext Sustainability Week convenes investors, issuers, experts, and policymakers for a week of dialogue and insight on the future of sustainable finance, ESG reporting, and the evolving green economy

15-16 September | The Drop | Malmö, Sweden 🇸🇪
Main focus: Green Tech 🚀, Sustainable Finance 💰, Energy Transition 🌿
Description: The Drop Conference is a leading European climate‑tech investment summit that brings together innovators, investors, and thought‑leaders to explore bold solutions across energy, AI, sustainability, and climate resilience

15-21 September | Harvard Climate Action Week 2026 | Boston, USA 🇺🇸
Main focus: Ethical Governance 🏛, Sustainable Business 💼
Description: Harvard Climate Action Week 2026 brings together leaders from government, business, academia, and the nonprofit sector to explore strategies for climate resilience and greenhouse gas reduction

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

9–11 November | 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.

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