Mayo man named All Ireland Young Sustainability Change Maker of the Year

A young Mayo man has added to his long list of accolades after being honoured with the prestigious All Ireland Young Sustainability Change Maker of the Year Award.

Luke Gibbons, a PhD candidate and Irish Research Council Scholar, received the recognition at the event held last night in Belfast.

Reflecting on the honour, he commented: “It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized for work that I feel so passionate about. This award represents not just an achievement for me, but for everyone who is working tirelessly to create a more sustainable future. 

“I believe we all have a role to play in tackling the climate crisis, and this recognition reinforces my commitment to driving positive change in Ireland and beyond,” he added.

_{Mr Gibbons at last night's event}

In a double celebration, the Claremorris man was also announced as the Young Mayo Person of the Year in Breaffy House Hotel on the same day, recognising his outstanding efforts as a young environmental and sustainability leader.

The 28-year-old’s career has been marked by numerous accolades that span both academia and policymaking. 

He is currently pursuing a PhD at Trinity College Dublin, funded by the Irish Research Council, where his research focuses on company directors’ duties in relation to climate change risks. 

This year has been one to remember for Mr Gibbons, with awards and recognitions piling in.

His leadership in sustainability was globally recognised earlier this year when he was named one of the Top 30 Under 30 Environmental Educators in the World by the North American Association for Environmental Education. He was the only awardee from Ireland and the European Union in the 2024 cohort. 

In February 2024, Mr Gibbons was further honoured as a recipient of the Top 40 Under 40 Irish in America award, where he won the People’s Choice Award with an astounding 21,496 votes.

In 2024 alone, he was recognised for his efforts on the world stage, nationally in the United States and Ireland and now locally in Mayo.

Beyond academia, Mr Gibbons has played an instrumental role in shaping climate policy. He worked as a Legislative Fellow in the office of US Congressman, Matt Cartwright, as part of the Washington Ireland Program. 

During his time on Capitol Hill, he contributed to bipartisan environmental legislation, including efforts to monitor toxic mercury pollution and the UNLEADED Act. His collaboration with high-profile figures, such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jacinda Ardern, and Chelsea Clinton during his tenure at Harvard, showcases the breadth of his influence in climate diplomacy.

Mr Gibbons is also a Climate Reality Leader under former US Vice President, Al Gore, and a Young Climate Leader with President Mary Robinson’s Climate Leadership Program. These roles reflect his dedication to advancing global climate action and his ability to inspire the next generation of environmental advocates.

In September 2024, he represented the Washington Ireland Program at the UN Summit of the Future in New York, and in December, Mr Gibbons will represent Ireland at the Global Peace Summit in the big apple where he will engage in high-level discussions about Ireland’s potential role in influencing global climate policy. 

Furthermore, he will speak alongside Mary Robinson in the Royal College of Surgeons next month, where they will discuss Ireland’s influence in global climate policy.