Sustainability Leadership Conference 2025

While this event has currently sold out, all is not lost! Please make sure to add your name to our waiting list if you would like to attend. If current attendees cancel their bookings, you will then be automatically notified to sign up. 

Climate change impacts many aspects of our lives, from the environment to jobs and the economy. To take meaningful action, we must be well-informed. The constant stream of information about climate change can be overwhelming, but this is your chance for a deep dive. Becoming sustainability-savvy is not only essential for driving change but also a crucial skill in today's workplace.

The Sustainability Leadership Conference, co-delivered by Sustainable UCL and Students' Union UCL, returns for the second year, with a newly developed programme that will bring together students, with sustainability experts, to discuss the biggest challenges facing the planet today, and how to tackle them.

The next generation of climate leaders are studying at UCL today and the Sustainability Leadership Conference will empower students to find sustainable solutions to global issues.

Get ready to expand your knowledge, skills, and network when you attend this year’s conference as we aim to accelerate your transformation into becoming a sustainability leader.  

This three-day event is a unique opportunity for UCL students of any degree programme to connect with more than 70 sustainability experts who are making a difference in the world today:

 🌎 Day 1 - Sustainability Insights: Learn about key concepts in sustainability and the challenges faced in different sectors. 
 🌍 Day 2 – Sustainability Skills: Develop key skills through interactive workshops.
 🌏 Day 3 - Taking the Lead: Bring together your knowledge and skills to discuss and learn how to move forward and start to demonstrate your sustainability leadership. 

You'll receive crucial insights from internationally acclaimed business leaders in open discussions as they share real-world experience of working to tackle the climate emergency (Greenpeace, Deloitte, WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development, PwC, Green Alliance, WWF, International Water Association, ITV, United Nations Environment Programme, the LEGO Group, C40 Cities, Friends of the Earth, and many more!)

Find updates and more via our Sustainability Leadership Conference Landing Page.

2024 Delegate: "The conference provided a clear vision for how sustainability can be integrated into future careers, which is invaluable as we approach graduation. I left feeling empowered and with a much clearer understanding of my own sustainable values."

New for 2025

• The Sustainability Leadership Conference is expanding to three days, with delegates able to join for 3 days. 

• Alongside a range of expert speakers, you will also have the opportunity to meet community organisations, get hands-on with sustainability initiatives, and enhance your debating and communication skills.

• Increased opportunities for networking and debriefing, allowing you more opportunities to discuss and connect with your fellow attendees. 

• A pre-conference offer, involving skills development in key transferable skills to help you get the most out of a packed 3-day conference!

Shashwat, a Master's student in Clinical Neuroscience at UCL, shares his feedback from the 2024 conference.

2024 Delegate: "It was a privilege to attend the conference and meet so many inspiring people committed to climate action. I left feeling empowered to make change in my own way, and I am reassured knowing that there is a vast community committed to this cause."

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Pre-conference opportunities( 5-6 June)

Active Bystander empowerment workshop. Check it out here

Upskill4life workshop. Check it out here

Climate Hack. Check it out here

Sustainability sounds great but I am nervous about attending a conference.

Conferences can be a bit overwhelming, can't they? It's totally normal to feel a bit nervous about diving in. Just remember, this event is all about students like you. You'll get to meet other students who are just as eager to learn and share their experiences. You're definitely not alone, and your enthusiasm to learn is already a huge step forward. Embrace this chance to grow and connect with others on the same journey. You've got this!

So what will I gain from the conference?

Here is what students said about their take-aways from last year's conference:

• The conference changed my mindset and opened my worldview - Shashwat
• Anyone can get into sustainability work - Shashwat
• I have a clear vision of how sustainability can be integrated into future careers - student delegate
• I left feeling empowered and with a much clearer understanding of my own sustainable values - student delegate
• I left reassured knowing  there is a vast community committed to this cause - student delegate

How do I make sure I get the most out of the sessions?

Unsure of what kind of questions you could ask to speakers to find out more? Here are a few suggestions:

• What would you say are the biggest opportunities/challenges for sustainability in your sector?
• What are your top tips for students who would like to enter your line of work?
• How do you see your sector/industry evolving over the next 5 or 10 years?
• What does sustainability leadership look like in your area of work?

Remember to listen closely and note down any interesting points you might want to ask speakers to expand upon in the Q&A. If you don't get chance, try to speak to them at the end of the session, but remember to move to your next session on time. Most speakers are easy to find in LinkedIn - you could request to connect and send them a message after the event to continue your conversation. 

Wellbeing Resources

We recognise that conversations around sustainability and the climate crisis can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are several avenues available to you if you would like to seek support, and we've listed some helpful resources below.

• UCL Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW): UCL SSW Website
  📧 student.wellbeing@ucl.ac.uk |  📞 +44 (0)20 7679 0100
   
• Greenpeace: Climate Anxiety Resources
   
• 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line (via SSW):
  📞 0800 197 5907 (UK Freephone)
  📞 +44 (0)20 7679 0100 (from outside the UK)
   
• UCL Student Psychological and Counselling Services (SPCS)
  📧 spcs-info@ucl.ac.uk | 📞 020 3108 8836
   
• External 24/7 Helplines
  • SHOUT – Text "SHOUT" to 85258
  • Samaritans – Call 116 123
  • NHS 111 – Call 111 and choose the mental health option

We will also have quiet spaces throughout the event for rest and reflection.