Mary Robinson Climate Conference returns to Mayo

The Mary Robinson Climate Conference returns to Mayo next week.

Taking place in Ballina from June 5-7, the conference is delivered in partnership with the University of Galway, with sponsorship from SSE Renewables.

Following a highly successful first year, this year’s theme reflects the fact that we all have a part to play in addressing the impact of climate change at local, national, and even global levels. 

The theme recognises that all voices are important in contributing to climate conversations, and that such conversations then are the catalyst for collective action.

“The climate crisis brings to the fore a complex and urgent series of concerns, that require diverse skill sets and scholarly approaches, reflected in our convening approach,” said Conference co-chair Kathy Reilly, who represents social sciences.

The conference will explore the shared response to the shared responsibility of tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.

An in-conversation talk on Project Dandelion with Mary Robinson and Laura Cook, former Communications Advisor to The Elders, sets the tone for the three-day event, highlighting the importance of grassroots action and the impact it can have at policy level. 

“This event provides an invaluable platform for diverse voices to come together and drive forward the conversation on climate action. We believe that through collaboration and shared responsibility, we can create effective solutions to help meet Ireland’s net-zero targets,” said Ciaran Maguire Onshore Wind O&M General Manager Ireland for SSE Renewables.

A range of speakers, from Ireland and overseas, will bring community actors, researchers, policy-makers and local and national governance together, acknowledging their collective role in addressing our most pressing climate issues.

Highlights in the programme include sessions that address community participation in offshore wind energy, a repair café in partnership with the Rediscovery Centre, site visits to Wild Atlantic Nature’s bog restoration projects in North Mayo and an exploration of how gaming can be an effective solution generation tool for deliberative democracy and climate issues.

Susan Heffernan, Project Manager for the Mary Robinson Centre, said the conference is ‘becoming a national space’ for knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration. 

“The Centre and Ballina Green Town are proud hosts of this conference and the important dialogue it generates at national level,” she concluded.

For more information and booking, visit the Mary Robinson Centre website.