These are small decisions we can make in our day-to-day lives that can make a difference, but we need to put in the effort en masse to effect real change. The decision to go green isn’t just a catchphrase anymore, it’s a necessity, and leaders in the field who are making the big changes toward a greener future must share their hardships and successes with us so that we may carry the torch forward in our private lives and in our business dealings and strategies.

The Ireland Portugal Business Network (IPBN) is providing the platform for these game-changers in the political, social, technological, corporate, and academic arenas to shine some light on what it truly means to go green, as is tradition on St. Patrick’s Day.

This year, as Portugal takes the Presidency of the EU Council and drives green initiatives to the forefront of the international agenda, there is real urgency to ensure a sustainable future. The IPBN’s three-day-long St. Patrick’s Day Sustainability Conference from16 until 18 March is an event for greener living through talks and presentations, socially distanced cultural events, and other member activities focusing on projects and initiatives in building sustainable environments.

The speakers include Barry Andrews, an Irish Member of the European Parliament, Michael Naylor, IPBN Member and private equity investor in Green projects and companies, the Honorable Will Wynn, former Mayor of Austin Texas, Dr. Sarah Miller, CEO of the Rediscovery Centre, part of the Ballymun Regeneration Project and Ireland's Minister of State in the Department of Finance, Sean Fleming, will join as a keynote speaker on March 17th at 4pm.

IPBN board members and Aoife Healy, Chair of the IPBN, will lead the guest speakers in conversations about their own innovations and the areas where we can continue to grow towards a more sustainable future. The virtual talks will be broadcast via Zoom to registered attendees.

On the last day, the IPBN will hold a virtual members meet members hosted by IPBN Board member Susan Cabeceiras. This year’s conference is sponsored by Konceptness, PAR (Passionate About Recycling), and KRA Renewables with our Executive partners Agreen Full Cycle Building Management and Dense Air, Ltd and supported by Media partners Essential business and Portugal Confidential. For all the details of the programme of the conference, please visit https://www.ireland-portugal.com/events/sustainability-conference-2021/ where you can register for free.