30th June 2026 - Trinity College Dublin hosted the IKC3 Climate Innovation Summit, bringing together learners, educators, local authorities, industry representatives and climate leaders for a day of presentations, networking and shared learning.
The Summit celebrated the achievements of participants across three climate-focused programmes delivered through Ireland’s Knowledge Centre for Carbon, Climate and Community Action, IKC3.
IKC3 is a HEA funded consortium comprised of MTU, UCD and TCD. The summit was facilitated by Eleanor Saunders, a lecturer on the programme and coordinated by the IKC3 team based in TCD and MTU.
The event highlighted the growing impact of the Community-Based Climate Innovation, Climate Leadership Development and Climate Entrepreneurship programmes, which have collectively engaged 643 learners.
The Community-Based Climate Innovation Programme has worked with 295 learners across 11 Irish local authorities. Participants have developed practical, community-led ideas and projects designed to support local climate action.
A further 134 learners have participated in the Climate Leadership Development micro-credential, strengthening the leadership, communication and change-management skills needed to advance climate action within organisations and communities.
The Climate Entrepreneurship postgraduate programme has engaged 214 learners in developing viable business ideas focused on greenhouse-gas emissions reduction, climate adaptation, climate mitigation and wider climate-action enabling solutions.
The Summit provided an opportunity for participants from all three programmes to connect, exchange experiences and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
IKC3 extended its sincere thanks to all learners, speakers, facilitators, local authority partners, contributors and collaborators who supported the event and the delivery of the programmes. Special thanks were also extended to Quentin Crowley, Rose Dunne, Helen Courtney Power, Eleanor Saunders and Helena McMahon for their contributions.
Building on the achievements of IKC3’s climate education and innovation programmes, the next phase of support for Ireland’s sustainability transition will include EduGreen Connect, an AI-powered green-skills platform.
EduGreen Connect is designed to connect learners, graduates, employers and education providers by helping users identify green skills, explore relevant courses and access employment opportunities across the growing green economy.
The platform will support the continued development of Ireland’s climate and sustainability talent pipeline while helping employers identify the skills needed for the transition to a low-carbon economy.
IKC3 is funded by the Higher Education Authority and the Government of Ireland.
