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Showcasing how sustainability drives competitiveness and long-term growth

Sustainability Week 2025, hosted by the Mid-West Sustainability Network under the auspices of Shannon Chamber will take place from 22 to 25 September 2025. This dynamic week-long series of in-person events and online seminars will put the spotlight on sustainable business practice.

The week kicks-off on Monday, 22 September with an event hosted in Ei Electronics’ Centre of Excellence in Shannon featuring keynote remarks from Tom O’Carroll, Zimmer Biomet, David Keating, Ei Electronics, and Sinéad Murphy, The Shannon Airport Group.

This will be quickly followed by an empowering business to decarbonise session with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and a cost-saving case study from Shannon Springs Hotel with the afternoon featuring an online seminar delivered by ESB Smart Energy Services where heat, transport and the road to net zero will take centre stage.

This opening day sets the scene for four days of insight, innovation and impact involving presentations and case studies from twenty-four companies from throughout Ireland.

The week will culminate with a day-long conference in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick on Thursday, 25 September where senior leaders who are driving meaningful change within their organisations will discuss the structures, resources and processes they have implemented to embed a culture of sustainability across their organisations. Companies participating in the conference include Britvic Ireland, Zimmer Biomet, Reagecon, Dexcom, ESB, ABC Nutritionals, Aerogen Ltd., AIR Shannon, AiP Thermoform Packaging, Cook Medical, Coca Cola Ballina, and Astellas Ireland (Kerry).

Fresh from his involvement with steering the British Irish Lions to test rugby victory, renowned sports psychologist Gary Keegan with bring the week to a close with what promises to be an inspirational and visually engaging keynote address on leadership, team dynamics, and high performance. Using sports analogies, he will show how sustainable performance is key, not just for initiating change but for maintaining it over time. He will show how leaders must be consistently visible and engaged, and that sustaining culture requires ongoing efforts.

Announcing details of Sustainability Week, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said: “Now in its third year, the Mid-West Sustainability Network continues to foster peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, empowering organisations to reduce their carbon footprint and advance towards net-zero ambitions. This year’s agenda will deliver inspiration and practical insights across the sustainability pillars of waste, water, energy, and biodiversity.

“Since its inception in 2023, the Mid-West Sustainability Network has provided a collaborative forum for businesses to explore environmental goals, with Sustainability Week acting as the highlight event for collective learning and advancement. This year’s agenda reflects the Chamber’s Strategic Plan (2023–2026), which commits to providing platforms that drive regional contributions to Ireland’s climate targets and sustainable development.”

Sustainability Week is sponsored by Climeaction and supported by: ESB, Lilly, Ei Electronics, Element Six, GreenTech Skillnet, AIB, Shannon Chamber Skillnet, Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet, Vitalograph, Aerogen, Mavarick, The Shannon Airport Group, SEAI, Clean Ireland Recycling, Oak Tree, Irish Manufacturing Research, WattFootprint and Common Knowledge.

All Sustainability Week events are open to the public, with many free options available. A full schedule of events can be found at www.shannonchamber.ie/events/sustainability-week-2025/

Bookings must be made online at Shannon Chamber’s events’ portal: www.shannonchamber.ie/events-training/

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your organisation’s sustainability journey.

ENDS

About Sustainability Week 2025: 4 Days of Insight, Innovation, and Impact

Monday, 22 September – Launch & Decarbonisation Insights

• 09:00 – 10:30: Kick-off at Ei Electronics Centre of Excellence in Shannon, featuring keynote remarks from Tom O’Carroll (Zimmer Biomet), David Keating (Ei Electronics), and Sinéad Murphy (Shannon Airport Group)
• 11:00 – 12:00: SEAI’s “Empowering Business to Decarbonise” session with Aoife Madden and Aidan Condell, followed by a cost-saving case study by John Gavin of Shannon Springs Hotel
• 15:00 – 16:00: Webinar on “The Electrification Era: Heat, Transport & the Road to Net Zero” by Eoghan Conway and Kevin Hourigan of ESB Smart Energy Services

Tuesday, 23 September – Reporting Smarter, Natural Resources & Sustainable Commutes

• 09:30 – 10:30: “Reporting Smarter” – insights for SMEs on the EU ESG shake-up from Carol Walsh (Carbon Reduction Ireland) and Kim Knowles (The Change We Need)
• 11:00 – 14:00: In-person site tour “Harnessing the Power of Ireland’s Natural Resources’, hosted at Britvic Ireland’s Newcastle West site with Sian Young, Kieran Stack, and Kevin McGourty
• 15:00 – 16:00: Online session, “Rethinking the Commute: Turning Everyday Travel into a Sustainability Win”, led by Addi Colgan of KINTO Join Ltd.

Wednesday, 24 September – Site Tours & Climate Action

• 09:00 – 10:30: Tour of Ei Electronics’ campus showcasing green innovations—solar PV, heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, LED lighting, PPA, and the evolution from 1960s buildings to net-zero-ready facilities
• 12:30 – 14:00: Discussion “Fostering Commitment to Climate Action: From Root to Roof”, featuring Dermot Fenton, Dr. Amy Haigh, and Anne Pears of VEON, highlighting forestry’s role in sustainability and ecology services

Thursday, 25 September – Culminating Conference: Developing a Sustainability Mindset
Full-day conference at Radisson Blu Hotel, Limerick from 08:30 – 15:30, moderated by Barry Gavin, Chair of the Mid-West Sustainability Network

Key sessions include:

• “The Tone at the Top”: Featuring Sian Young (Britvic), Tom O’Carroll (Zimmer Biomet), Vicky Howard (Reagecon), and Mike Finn (Dexcom)
• “Driving Mindset”: Panel with Sharon McManus (ESB), Laura Greaney (ABC Nutritionals), Emma Ryan (Aerogen), and Shane Cooke (AIR Shannon)
• “Bringing Sustainability to Life”: Featuring Gary Keegan (Uppercut)
• Closing Remarks by Helen Downes, CEO of Shannon Chamber.