Science-policy solutions for a more sustainable Europe
Launched by IEEP and its partners in 2018, Think2030 is an evidence-based, non-partisan platform of leading policy experts from European think tanks, civil society, the private sector and local authorities.
UPCOMING EVENT
Recognised as an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026
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 Conference Ireland 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).
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sessions
The conference will provide a forum for three evidence-based Science4Policy sessions on some of the most pressing challenges facing the European Union.
Taking place three months into the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, and within the context of a new Trio Presidency, the panel will shed light on Ireland’s role in advancing a coherent EU climate resilience agenda. Discussions will highlight how the successive Presidencies can help advance a common vision for climate resilience across the EU.
This session will discuss whether “Made in EU” criteria represent a coherent industrial and trade strategy, or a piecemeal response to political pressure that risks fragmenting the Single Market, inviting retaliation, and undermining the EU’s own trade agenda, including FTA and WTO-compatible rulemaking.
Among the risks faced by the European agricultural system, this roundtable will pay particular attention to those arising from strategic dependencies on third countries. These translate into market disruptions affecting the price or availability of agricultural commodities or inputs needed for production within the EU.
Speakers
Antoine Oger
Executive Director, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)
Bill Callanan
Chief Inspector, Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government of Ireland
Dr Orlaigh Quinn
Interim Director General, Institute of international and European Affairs (IIEA)
Philip Nugent
Assistant Secretary leading on EU, International and Marine Affairs at Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Government of Ireland
Eimear Cotter
Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ireland
Event details
Date and time: 16 September 2026, 9:00-17:00
Location: Trinity College, Dublin
Contact: reception@iiea.com
Organised by
Recognised as an associated event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026
Think2030 events
The conference usually takes place in the country of the rotating EU Council Presidency, with the support of the Think Sustainable Europe member based in that country.
By focusing on producing relevant, timely and concrete policy recommendations, Think2030’s key objective is to identify science-policy solutions for a more sustainable Europe.
Past events
The first Think2030 conference took place in Brussels in 2018. Ever since, the conference has taken place in more than 8 countries of the rotating EU Council Presidency, gathering more than hundreds of decision-makers and analysts from policy, business, and research across Europe to debate the key sustainability issues at stake for EU policy.
Think2030 conference Germany
Harnessing the European Green Deal to address the climate crisis:
Anticipating risks, fostering resilience
Co-organised by IEEP, Ecologic Institute and TMG.
Funded by Life, European Climate Initiative and German Federal Ministry
for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety.
Think2030 conference Belgium
Science-policy solutions for a more sustainable Europe
The first Think2030 conference took place in Brussels on 17-18 October 2018
which was was organised by IEEP and Globe EU with the aim of
providing decision-makers with relevant policy recommendations on a
range of sustainability issues ahead of the 2019 elections.
Think2030 confenrence Belgium
Ensuring a resilient future for the European Green Deal
IEEP organised the 2024 edition of the Think2030 conference on 27 March.
Taking place in Brussels, the Think2030 biannual conference was held
in a critical phase, both to deliver the European Green Deal and to ensure its
sustainability principles influence the future direction of the EU beyond 2024.
Think2030 conference France
A future-proof European Green Deal
Overcoming crises, increasing ambition
Organised by IEEP and IDDRI and hosted by Sciences Po Paris, the third edition of the Think2030 conference was an opportunity for the Think2030 community to meet in person again and exchange thoughts on the implementation status of the Green Deal.
Think2030 conference Spain
Council Presidency Dialogue for sustainability
The Think2030 Dialogue – Spain gathered decision-makers and analysts from policy,
business and research across Spain and Europe to debate the
key sustainability issues at stake for EU policy
moving towards the crucial political year for the EU in 2024.
The event is organised by IEEP, BC3 and Elcano Royal Institute,
in association with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Think2030 Dialogue Sweden
Navigating crisis through sustainability
The event addressed sustainability issues against the backdrop of broader
issues facing the EU, including security and geopolitics, innovation and
competitiveness, and social inclusion in the transition. It focused on
emerging priorities and work of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of
the EU, but also the next Trio Presidency, beginning with Spain as the
next Presidency.
Event co-organised by SEI, IEEP, MISTRA, FORMAS and SIEPS
Think2030 Poland
Towards a sustainable and secure Europe
The Think2030 conference Poland is a flagship event taking place on
28 March 2025 at the Central House of Technology in Warsaw.
Co-organised by the Reform Institute and the Institute
for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), the conference is held under
the honorary patronage of the Polish Presidency of the EU
Council and the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
Think2030 Dialogue Hungary
Clean Industrial Deal, COP29 and beyond: integrating competitiveness
and climate commitments
The webinar focused on some of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency,
looking in particular at the new EU competition strategy and the upcoming
Clean Industrial Deal. It also discussed the global dimension of the expected
Clean Industrial Deal and the ongoing international processes which can
impact, such as expectations of outcomes from COP29 and conclusions from COP16.
Think2030 conference Denmark
Reinforcing EU climate leadership for improved security,
competitiveness and prosperity
In association with the Danish Presidency of the EU Council, CONCITO,
Institute for European environmental policy (IEEP), and Think Tank EUROPA
will convene European decision-makers, businesses, policy experts
and civil society leaders to discuss the path forward in the current
political landscape.
The event is co-hosted by the Copenhagen Business School.
Think2030 Conference Cyprus
Fifty Years of the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)
Think2030 Conference Cyprus, under the Cyprus Presidency,
marked 50 years of the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP).
Think2030 Conference Ireland
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.
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