The sustainability movement is gaining momentum, with businesses, policymakers, and individuals all striving for a more eco-friendly future.
Sustainability conferences play a crucial role in accelerating progress towards a more eco-friendly future. The top sustainability annual events offer a lot of things for attendees. First, they provide a wealth of knowledge under one roof. Attending a sustainability conference helps people gain insights from leading researchers, policy makers, businesses, and more all working on sustainability solutions.
Second, these conferences offer incredible networking and introductions to leaders and industry professionals in the sustainability community. Next, attending events like that help showcase the constant evolution of the industry. They may feature cutting-edge innovations, emerging tech, and share best practices across various sectors. And, finally, they provide inspiration to create a greener future.
Attendees at sustainability conferences tend to be a wide range, unless they are niche conferences. Conference-goers will see everyone from business leaders like sustainability officers, corporate social responsibility professionals and executives. Also in attendance can be policy-makers, scientists and researchers, non-profits and those entering into the industry. In addition, professionals at these can include a range of sectors like renewable energy, environmental sciences, green buildings, waste management, sustainable agriculture and more.
As the industry continues to expand, more conferences continue to come up. So, which conferences should you go to? We’ve picked our top conferences worth attending.
The 10 best sustainability conferences (2024) in the US
CleanTech Forum
Jan. 22 – 24, 2024 | San Diego | # of attendees: 400+ | Types of attendees: leaders in sustainable ecosystem, influencers, start-ups, scale-ups, investors, corporates, government | Speakers | # of speakers: 120+
Cleantech Forum North America connects start-ups with investors and corporations looking for new partners. The Forum provides ample opportunities to make connections, build business and meet leaders in sustainable innovation. People attend this to make deals and meet the right people, including influencers, innovators and companies from the Global Cleantech 100. Attendees of the Forum will walk away with new insights into the trends and innovations that power a cleaner and cooler world.
The annual conference focuses on trends shaping the future of sustainable innovation complete with keynotes, interactive briefings, games and more.
GreenBiz
Feb. 12 – 14, 2024 | Phoenix | # of attendees: 177K+ | Types of attendees: corporate sustainable professionals and leaders beyond the sustainability function, including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs, heads of legal, supply chain, human resources, investor relations and others |Speakers | # of speakers: 200+
GreenBiz 24 is one of the best conferences for business leaders seeking hands-on, tangible solutions. At this event, attendees can learn what’s next in decarbonization, biodiversity, supply chains, strategic communications and more. Plus, they’ll have access to more than 50 tutorial, keynote presentation and breakout sessions. The conference hosts more than 200 leading experts who share their insights and market trends.
Attendees will get up-to-date on issues impacting corporate sustainability and how trends impact their organizations. In addition, they will have opportunities for networking and learn about emerging market-ready products and services.
SAVe
March 14 – 15, 2024 | LA | # of attendees: 130+ | Types of attendees: AV
Although Sustainability in AV (SAVe) is a young organization, it’s desire it to bring AV industry stakeholders together to achieve sustainable development goals. The first conference of its kind, the conference was a history-making event in the AV industry. The theme “A Call for Leaders” reflected the industry’s need for people to step up and help advance initiatives, foster partnerships and move the industry into a leader.
If you’re in the industry, this event is a must. It covers how to advance sustainability in the AV industry. It also includes topics like controlling electronic waste, the invisible footprint of AV systems, certification workshops, change makers and more.
Reuters Responsible Business USA 2024
March 26 – 27, 2024 | NYC | # of attendees: 650+ | Type of attendees: pioneers from sustainability, legal, communications and finance | Speakers | # of speakers: 80+
Responsible Business USA 2024 is one of the premiere sustainability events in North America. The two-day event spans three tracks which offer forums, workshops, roundtables and panels. A majority of attendees are director level or above with ample networking opportunities among the industry’s most influential innovators and changemakers.
Reuters curates insightful topics to address at this event which have included using impact data to inspire, the future of green technology, leveraging climate data to drive change and more.
EarthX
April 22 – 26, 2024 | Dallas | # of attendees: 2500+ | Type of attendees: thought leaders, visionaries, change-makers | Speakers | # of speakers: 80+ | Cost: $99 – $1500
This year marks the 9th annual event of EarthX, which brings together thousands of people and organizations from around the world. The goal is to unite various industries to create actionable solutions for energy, oceans, climate, business, policy and beyond. This year, there are more than 80 speakers and five days of sessions exploring sustainability. Each day highlights a unique theme. This year, the themes are:
– The Future of Energy
– Circular Economy
– Money, Power and Politics
– Oceans and Philanthropy
– Wildlife and Ocean Conservation
The event facilitates collaborations via interactive sessions, summits, debates and dialogue to help drive sustainability solutions across business, policy, science, and activism.
NAEM Tech24 EHS + ESG Data and Reporting
April 29 – May 2, 2024 | Alexandria, VA | # of attendees: 300 | Types of attendees: Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) professionals
NAEM is the only tech event focused exclusively on meeting the challenges of data management, software and technology solutions for compliance, climate tracking, corporate transparency, and ESG reporting. The annual event, which launched in 2001, connects software buyers with vendors in the software and data management marketplace. It’s conference addresses ESG software applications and data management as it relates to the environment, health and safety, and sustainability. Considered the go-to conference for corporate professionals who need assessments, selection, implementation and data management tools in this area.
The three tracks for the conference are:
– EHS management and compliance
– Carbon accounting and sustainability management
– Corporate ESG reporting
Sustainability Week USA
June 12 – 13, 2024 | NYC | # of attendees: 5500+ (virtual and physical) | Type of attendees: sustainability professionals | Speakers | # of speakers: 150+ | Cost: $0 – $999
This annual event brings together businesses and policymakers to tackle challenges that sustainability professionals face while trying to achieve their targets. It is designed to unite businesses to shape climate solutions. The 4th annual event provides important information businesses can use to move faster on reducing emissions and improving environmental impact.
This two-day series of sessions includes new how-to workshops, Action Hour sessions, and the CSO Leaders’ Club. It also features networking opportunities, an exhibition and more.
Innovation Forum Apparel and Textiles Conference 2024
June 25 – 26, 2024 | NYC | # of attendees: 200+ | Types of attendees: Senior management up to CEO level, primarily from CSR, sustainability, supply chain, procurement, ethical trade, corporate affairs and corporate communication functions | Speakers | # of speakers: 40+ | Cost: $1300 – $2100
The Innovation Forum is a two-day conference dedicated to addressing how brands can adapt practices to deliver on commitments and stakeholder expectations. Attendees will learn best practices and guidace to develop net-zero strategies. In addition, they will learn how to transform supply chains, scale circularity, reduce waste and drive social impacts.
Topics cover:
– Climate action: how apparel brands can develop a strategy to get to net zero; implement regenerative and nature-positive approaches; and take action
– Circular systems: showcase leading tech and approaches to implement circularity and solutions that drive scale
– Factory engagement and manufacturing: brand and factory perspectives on how to transform factories and manufacturing process to ensure stainable and ethical supply
– Social impact: how to tackle challenges in ensuring an ethical supply chain and deliver a clear, positive impact for workers
Climate Week NYC
Sept. 22 – 29, 2024 | NYC |# of attendees: 50K + | Type of attendees: business leaders, political change makers, local decision takers and civil society representatives | Speakers |
Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind. For one week, the city is the backdrop for more than 500 events and activities. It is hosted by Climate Group, an international non-profit, and the official program operator. Climate Week is held in partnership with the Unites Nations General Assembley and run in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York. The events (which you register to attend individually) unite senior international figures from business, government, civil society and the climate sector.
While this year’s activities weren’t published at press time (April 2024), last year there were nearly 600 events and 10 main themes. They were:
– Built environment
– Energy
– Environmental justice
– Transport
– Finance
– Sustainable living
– Nature
– Policy
– Industry
– Food
Sustainable Brands: SB2024
Oct. 14 – 17, 2024 | San Diego | Speakers | Cost: $2594 – $3891
Sustainable Brands is a global event for regenerative brands and leaders. For 2024, the focus is “Innovation for the Win.” It includes the exploration of new strategies, tools and solutions for turning challenges into business opportunities. The goal: to redesign your brand to win in a world that is changing. In addition to the conference, there’s also an add-on SB ReGen Ag Summit taking place simultaneously on the last day.
The four-day event includes compelling keynotes from visionaries. Plus, the conference has breakout sessions, workshops and special events like yoga and dinner discussions.
More and more industries continue to evolve to make positive change and make way for a more sustainable future. With environmental issues becoming headline news, and influential leaders and sustainability leaders leading the charge, this sector will continue to grow. These conferences provide sustainable solutions presented courtesy of global leaders taking part in in-depth panels, keynote speakers and exhibits.
If you’re a company interested in climate change adaptation and want to take a deep dive into business strategy surrounding global sustainability, we’re here to guide you. Connect with us today to learn more about our conference strategy program, speaker development consulting, and exhibit hall design.
