Co-organised by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) and Trinity Long Room Hub, this conference is recognised as an associated event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026. The Think2030 Ireland Conference will bring together European and Irish policymakers, representatives of EU institutions, researchers, industry leaders, civil society organisations and think tanks to explore how sustainability can strengthen Europe’s resilience and support a competitive and secure future.
Think2030 conference Ireland
- Date: 16 September 2026, 9.00-15.30
- Format: Hybrid
- Place: Trinity College, Dublin
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Europe faces an increasingly complex and interconnected risk landscape. Climate impacts are intensifying, geopolitical tensions are reshaping global markets and supply chains, and pressures on natural resources and social and economic systems are growing. These challenges interact across sectors and borders, creating systemic risks for food systems, energy security, industrial production, social cohesion and economic prosperity.
The Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union comes at a time when preparedness, resilience and competitiveness have become central priorities for the European project. Together, they provide a framework for navigating uncertainty and shaping Europe’s long-term future.
Preparedness is about anticipating and planning for future shocks. Resilience refers to the capacity of social, economic and environmental systems to withstand, adapt to and transform in response to disruption. Competitiveness increasingly depends on the resilience of these systems and their ability to deliver prosperity, security and wellbeing under changing conditions.
Environmental sustainability underpins this agenda. Climate stability, healthy ecosystems, resilient food systems and sustainable resource use are not only environmental goals; they are essential foundations of Europe’s economic security, strategic autonomy and long-term competitiveness.
Co-organised by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) and Trinity Long Room Hub, this conference is recognised as an associated event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026. The Think2030 Ireland Conference will bring together European and Irish policymakers, representatives of EU institutions, researchers, industry leaders, civil society organisations and think tanks to explore how sustainability can strengthen Europe’s resilience and support a competitive and secure future. Together with the Think Sustainable Europe network, the conference will provide a forum for evidence-based dialogue on some of the most pressing challenges facing the European Union.
The conference is part of the Think2030 event series, a multi-stakeholder forum that provides science-based policy recommendations for a more sustainable Europe. This Think2030 builds on previous editions co-organised with the Polish Presidency in Warsaw (March 2025), the Danish Presidency (September 2025) and the Cyprus Presidency in Brussels (April 2026).
