Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate is a pioneering, all-island initiative addressing the urgent challenge of climate change through creative collaboration and leadership. Led by The Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland, The Institute of Directors Northern Ireland, and Creative Futures Academy, the first phase (in 2024) brought together chartered directors, students, designers, entrepreneurs and innovators with the shared ambition to create actionable solutions for our planet.

Together with our new project partner Forvis Mazars we are delighted to announce phase two of Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate supported through the Creative Ireland Shared Island Fund that will take place throughout 2025.

The Collaborate4Climate exhibition, designed using sustainable principles, spotlights key climate areas: transport and mobility, the built environment, agriculture and food, and consumables. Phase two will see the exhibition tour to host organisations across the island of Ireland. Creative Boardroom will also bring design thinking workshops to organisations across the island. These workshops will provide the opportunity to develop a framework for action and embed insight into decision-making.

The Collaborate4Climate exhibition will be on display at Belfast Grand Central Station from August 19 – 31, and moves to Invest Northern Ireland’s office in Bedford Square from 4 September. Both exhibitions are open to the public and locally based enterprise to explore and be inspired by.

– The North, South Journey: Directors North and South took time to share their lived experience, challenges and hopes for the future.

– Ireland’s Climate Crisis: How are we doing on a comparative global scale?

– Emboldening Creative Climate Champions: The intergenerational learning journey between directors and students.

– Tackling the climate in the boardroom: The director journey

Some other key takeaways: 

• ‘It takes 7,500 litres of water to make a single pair of jeans – from the production of the cotton, to the delivery of the final product to the store.’ – Source: UN.org
• ‘There are an estimated two million disposable coffee cups a day in Ireland going into landfill.’ – Source: Environmental Protection Agency, news release December 2024
• ‘UK restaurants and food service businesses generate an estimated 1 million tonnes of food waste annually, costing the sector approximately £682 million’ – Source: wastemanaged.co.uk

Images by Press Eye

Pictured below: Visitors at Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate exhibition at Translink in Belfast Grand Central Station.

Also pictured:  Heather White, Nations Manager Northern Ireland, Institute of Directors NI, Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive for Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company & Translink and Kathryn Hill, Chief Operating Officer of Invest NI at Collaborate4Climate exhibition.

“This all-island partnership reflects the power of cross-border collaboration, and we’re excited to bring the exhibition to such meaningful venues – sparking dialogue and inspiring action on sustainability across diverse sectors and communities.” – Louise Allen, Director of Creative Futures Academy. 

“Translink recognises how important it is for businesses to collaborate and take action on the climate crisis. As a responsible leader we are committed to playing our part in providing better, cleaner transport solutions to deal with the growing concerns around air pollution and tackling the issues of climate change. We are already taking action by investing in zero and low emission fleet technologies and we continue to make the most efficient use of resources, driving out waste and protecting and enhancing our natural environment.” – Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive for Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company & Translink

“We’re delighted to support this exhibition by showcasing it in our Belfast office, highlighting the importance of sustainability in our economy’s future. We need to accelerate our journey to Net Zero, embed fully sustainable approaches across industries, and help our businesses identify and seize the opportunities this creates. Our own ESG strategy outlines how we’re contributing to this Net Zero journey by helping businesses to create opportunities in this area through our support.

“Additionally, environmental sustainability is a core priority of how we operate at Invest NI. We’re making our own commitment to reducing our carbon emissions through improving energy efficiency in our buildings; reducing waste and promoting low-carbon travel.” – Kathryn Hill, Chief Operating Officer, Invest NI

Translink, 19 – 31 August, Belfast Grand Central Station:
Translink will host the exhibition in Belfast from mid-August as part of its ongoing commitment to drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future. Translink is proud to lead the transformation of transport in Northern Ireland through its ambitious “Better. Connected” Strategy. With climate change recognised as the most urgent environmental challenge of our time, Translink is taking decisive action to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and promote healthier, more inclusive communities. By investing in zero-emission fleets, enhancing infrastructure, and launching initiatives like the Better on Board Charter aimed at businesses, Translink is encouraging a modal shift away from private motoring towards sustainable public transport and active travel. This shift is vital – not only to meet carbon reduction targets – but to create a cleaner, greener, healthier future for our people, our planet, and our prosperity.

Invest Northern Ireland, 4 – 19 September, Invest NI Office, Bedford Square, Belfast:
We are also excited to announce that Invest Northern Ireland, the region’s economic development agency responsible for attracting investment and growing local enterprise, will host the exhibition in September. Invest NI’s support underlines its commitment to innovation, green economy and collaboration with cross-sector partners.

For further information to host the exhibition or press enquiries and images please contact Shauna Kelly at kellys@staff.ncad.ie 

Link to press images 

Creative Futures Academy is a ground-breaking partnership between three creative higher education institutions: The National College of Art and Design (NCAD), University College Dublin (UCD), and the Institute of Art, Design + Technology (IADT). CFA offers flexible learning pathways in collaboration with industry experts to identify future skills and knowledge needs.

www.creativefutures.ie 

The Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation. It is the leading membership body for directors and business leaders in Ireland, with membership across all sectors and industries. Being the voice of directors and an advocate for the highest standards of corporate governance in Ireland is a core strategic pillar for IoD Ireland, who has detailed knowledge of best practice standards, codes of practice and the techniques and processes associated with high performing boards.

www.iodireland.ie/ 

The Institute of Directors Northern Ireland

We support directors from across Northern Ireland’s private, public and third sectors. Our focus is on providing members with unparalleled access to relevant information and advice, networks and professional director training. As the leading member organisation for directors and business leaders, we ensure our members are key in helping shape the policy developments that impact NI business and society.  With a membership of over 850  members and a community of approximately 80 Chartered Directors, IoD NI is at the forefront of driving the highest standard of good governance across our networks. 

www.iod.com/locations/northern-ireland/ 

Forvis Mazars in Ireland is a leading international audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm. Operating as a united partnership, Forvis Mazars works as one integrated team, leveraging expertise, scale and cultural understanding to deliver exceptional and tailored services in audit, assurance, tax, consulting, financial advisory, corporate finance and financial outsourcing.

https://www.forvismazars.com/ie/en 

The Creative Ireland Programme is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. They are an all-of-government culture and wellbeing programme and their ambition to inspire and transform people, places and communities through creativity.

https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/ 

Translink is leading the way in transforming transport in Northern Ireland: creating advanced public transport services and integrated networks which better connect people, communities and opportunities. It is vital to support the economic, social, environmental, health and well-being of our region.  

https://www.translink.co.uk/ 

Invest Northern Ireland’s ambition is to create wealth for the whole community; we will drive a regionally balanced, productive, sustainable and prosperous Northern Ireland economy by unlocking the potential of businesses across the region.  

We work with businesses to accelerate their growth by increasing external sales and innovation, creating good quality jobs, boosting productivity and skills, growing inward investment and reducing carbon emissions. We also attract high-quality inward investment and support sectors such as the Green Economy that offer high returns for the local economy.  

We work closely with our stakeholders to maximise the benefits of City and Growth Deal projects which will bolster our economic performance. 

https://www.investni.com/