DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH COLLABORATION: FREE SUMMIT MARKS ONE YEAR OF IMPACT

This month, the Supply Chain Sustainability School Ireland – an innovative online platform dedicated to advancing sustainable practices within supply chains – is celebrating its one-year anniversary by hosting a free Summit on Wednesday 22nd January at O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin.

Launched in Dublin in January 2024, the Supply Chain Sustainability School is a free virtual learning platform designed to upskill those working within, or aspiring to work within, Ireland’s built environment sector, providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to build resilient and environmentally responsible supply chains.

Since its inception, the School has trained over 1,800 active users across 500 companies and is supported by 21 industry partners. In October 2024, the School was honoured with the award for Best Procurement Collaboration Project of the Year – SME at the National Procurement Awards.

The Summit will feature expert-led discussions and panels, offering a chance to reflect on the School’s successes while exploring actionable strategies and real-world solutions to promote sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation within Ireland’s built environment.

The theme of this year’s Summit, “Delivering Sustainability Through Collaboration” underscores the importance of collaborative partnerships in driving meaningful change. Hosted by Chris Gordon, sustainability advocate and CEO of the Irish Social Enterprise Network, attendees will be treated to expert-led presentations and panels centred on the core pillars of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). Networking opportunities will also be available, allowing individuals from across the industry to connect.

Confirmed speakers include:
• Charles Mitchell, Senior Quantity Surveyor/Construction Adviser, Office of Government Procurement
• Dr. Paul Leahy, Senior Lecturer in Wind Energy at UCC and Head of R&D at BladeBridge
• Anthony Burrowes, Social Value Manager at Sisk
• Ingrid De Doncker, Co-Founder & Head of Research and Innovation at Future Planet
• Seán McCaffrey, Supplier Performance Manager, Iarnród Éirean
• Linda O’Sullivan, Head of Social Inclusion, Business in the Community Ireland
• Marie Hunt, Head of Research, IPUT
• Sarah Chatfield, Consultant, Action Sustainability
Andrew Wilson, Programmes Manager for the Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: “Our annual Summit brings together diverse voices to tackle the complex challenges of supply chain sustainability. This year’s theme, Delivering Sustainability Through Collaboration, reflects our ongoing commitment to building partnerships that drive lasting impact. We’re excited to host this event and continue our work towards a resilient and sustainable built environment.”

PJ Ryan, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance for Construction Industry Federation (CIF), added: “Over the past year, the Supply Chain Sustainability School Ireland has been a game-changer in driving sustainability education and awareness across the construction industry. As a proud founding partner, CIF is committed to supporting the School’s mission of equipping businesses with the skills and knowledge needed to build a more sustainable future. The January Summit marks a significant milestone, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to advance sustainability across the supply chain.”

Register now to secure your place at this key event in sustainability. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the conversation and help shape the future of Ireland’s built environment. Register for free today here.

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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE