In this session, we’ll hear from the inspiring eco-warriors featured on STTOP2030 as they share how they’ve applied their talents and passions to create meaningful impact on the environment and in their lives. We’ll highlight selected global innovations and how individual contributions can create significant collective change. From up-cycling and sustainable living to creative advocacy, this panel will empower attendees to recognise their potential and be inspired to take impactful actions for the planet.

Get ready to meet passionate ocean lovers, eco innovators, pioneers and change-makers and discover their cool ideas for the ocean! Part of the Ocean Lovers Festival, the Ocean Lovers Markets at Darling Harbour showcase innovative products and projects that don’t cost the earth, and are designed to specifically help protect or enhance our ocean environment and wildlife. A particular focus is on products that recycle, reuse or reduce plastic waste getting into our ocean.

The experiential marketing industry, celebrated for its ability to create immersive and memorable worlds, is at a critical crossroads. While it has the power to captivate audiences and shape culture, the environmental and social costs of these temporary experiences are staggering. With the events industry contributing 10% of global CO2 emissions and experiential marketing generating hundreds of thousands of tons of waste annually, it is evident that the current model is unsustainable. The opportunity to transform this industry into a force for positive environmental and societal impact has never been more urgent—or more achievable. UNEND’s mission to make the industry 18% circular by 2030 and 100% circular by 2050 reflects our radical optimism and commitment to systemic change. We are not just talking about sustainability; we are actively implementing it, one project at a time. In this session, we will explore how the principles of the circular economy can be applied to the world of experiential marketing, creating events and brand activations that regenerate rather than deplete. Attendees will leave with: A Clear Understanding of the Current Reality - The data and insights needed to make informed decisions about sustainability in experiential marketing. Actionable Strategies - Three practical approaches to integrating circular principles into brand activations. Inspiration from Success Stories - Real-world examples that demonstrate the possibilities and impact of circular experiential design. A Vision for the Future - A clear picture of what the experiential industry could achieve by 2050—and the steps to start that journey today. Who Will Benefit: Brand Executives - Highlighting how sustainability and circularity can transform into powerful competitive advantages, future-proofing brand reputation while aligning with evolving consumer and stakeholder values. Agencies - Showcasing how integrating circular design unlocks innovative opportunities to stand out in the market, offering clients bold, forward-thinking solutions that drive both impact and differentiation. Producers and Designers - Demonstrating the tangible, day-to-day benefits of circular strategies, from reducing costs and streamlining logistics to enhancing creative freedom with adaptable, reusable systems that prioritize efficiency and impact.

This event focuses on the growing potential for AI-enabled ecopreneurs to build climate action solutions, and how organisations can act now to tackle climate change with trusted and sustainable AI. The summit will bring together technology leaders, sustainability advocates, investors, researchers, academics, and regulators. This event is invite only. If you would like to register your interest in attending, please do so at the following <link>.

The no vote, Trump support, nuclear energy and abortion back on the national agenda has been largely driven by middle Australia. A huge swathe of the country influences the vote, dis/misinformation is rife, and we’re speeding towards an election which could see the reversal of progressive moves forward on climate. The challenge - the lefties are talking to each other and nobody is talking to middle Australia. This panel will explore effective tactics and strategies on effectively engaging middle Australia.

Centuries of land mismanagement has degraded Earth’s soil, damaging a vital planetary mechanism for retaining water, mitigating heat and regulating our climate. Healthy soil can be rebuilt in a matter of years, but we need to act now - and we need people to know about it. Dirty Trivia is a community event to raise awareness about soil's role in climate change and to raise funds for SOIL, a podcast told by the scientists, farmers and communities who are bringing water back into landscapes and mitigating climate change from the ground up.

Climate for Change is a climate education non-profit. We help everyday people better understand climate change, and inspire them to take action. Our flagship program is Climate Conversations, a kitchen-table conversations program backed by social research. In this session, you can expect to get a taster of the training we provide to our Conversations Facilitators, and come away feeling empowered to have more effective Climate Conversations. Note for organisers: we'd like to please propose this as a pre-CAW event on March 8th. This is because I (Mary - Programs Manager) am sadly going on holidays on March 9th, but I am super keen to be involved. I'd love to pitch this as a pre-event so that people can go into CAW feeling confident to have conversations about climate *during* the week! If this isn't possible I'll see what I can do in recruiting a volunteer to run it during the week, but as we've historically been mostly a VIC organisation I am still building up our Sydney volunteer team.

Join government and industry experts as they discuss how emerging technologies—such as sensors, IoT, and AI—are transforming the way we prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. The panel will explore key trends shaping event monitoring (floods, rainfall, hail, fires, etc.) in a changing climate and share insights into the gaps and challenges faced by both government and industry in supporting communities during these critical times.

Event Description: Join us for an enlightening and forward-thinking event designed to equip Australian businesses, policymakers, and sustainability leaders with actionable insights from Europe’s adaptation to the 2008 UK Climate Change Act. This interactive session will explore the trends, successes, and challenges that shaped the journey of large companies as they navigated one of the world’s most ambitious climate laws. By learning from their experiences, Australia has a unique opportunity to foster innovation, reduce costs, and boost productivity in its own efforts to tackle climate change. What to Expect: In 2008, the UK Climate Change Act set a groundbreaking precedent by legally mandating greenhouse gas emissions reductions, aiming for a net-zero economy. Over the years, companies across Europe responded with innovative strategies, but not without missteps along the way. This event will delve into the key lessons learned, focusing on how businesses adapted to new regulations, embraced sustainable practices, and integrated climate goals with profitability. Our expert speaker, Tracey Carr, is a lecturer on sustainability at the University of Surrey, Centre for Envirnoment and Sustainability and, will provide a comprehensive overview of: Emerging Trends: Gain insights into the pivotal trends that emerged in European industries post-2008, including renewable energy adoption, circular economy models, and green innovation. Success Stories: Explore how some companies transformed the climate mandate into a competitive advantage, achieving sustainability while driving profitability and operational excellence. Challenges and Mistakes: Understand the hurdles faced by companies that struggled with adaptation, including regulatory compliance costs, inadequate planning, and resistance to change. Actionable Lessons for Australia: Discover how Australian businesses and policymakers can apply these insights to achieve a balance between environmental responsibility and economic efficiency. Why Attend? As Australia accelerates its efforts to meet climate targets and transition to a low-carbon economy, this event provides a critical opportunity to reflect on Europe’s experiences and apply them to our unique context. Whether you are a corporate leader seeking to future-proof your organization, a policy advisor shaping climate legislation, or a sustainability professional driving green innovation, this event will leave you inspired and equipped with practical tools to make a difference. Key Takeaways: Learn how to align climate action with productivity and cost management. Identify potential pitfalls and prepare strategies to overcome them. Discover innovative approaches to sustainability and their economic benefits. Network with industry leaders and gain fresh perspectives on Australia’s climate journey.