12 Things Not To Miss At Earth Rising Festival This Weekend
As businesses across Ireland continue to embrace sustainability and climate responsibility, it’s vital to stay inspired, informed, and connected to the wider movement for change. This weekend the Earth Rising Festival, at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Dublin, offers a unique opportunity to do just that.
With over 50 free events spanning art, ecology, and collective action, the festival is a vibrant showcase of how creativity and community can drive meaningful environmental progress. Whether you’re a sustainability lead, a climate-conscious entrepreneur, or part of a team looking to deepen your impact, Earth Rising provides a rich programme of experiences that speak directly to the challenges and opportunities facing business today.
In this post, we’ve selected five standout activities that offer fresh perspectives, practical insights, and powerful storytelling -each one relevant to the journey of building a more sustainable and resilient business.
🌍 1. OPW Biodiversity Tour
A guided tour exploring biodiversity initiatives by the Office of Public Works. This is ideal for businesses looking to understand land stewardship, native species protection, and nature-based solutions in the Irish context.
🌿 2. What Nature Teaches Us About Being Human
This reflective experience invites participants to explore how nature can inform our understanding of human behaviour, community, and resilience. It’s a gentle but profound way to reconnect with ecological wisdom and consider how biomimicry and natural systems thinking can influence sustainable business practices and leadership.
🔮 3. The Future We Want to Be
A participatory installation or workshop that encourages attendees to envision and co-create future scenarios rooted in sustainability, equity, and imagination. It’s particularly relevant for businesses exploring strategic foresight, visioning exercises, or employee engagement around climate goals and long-term planning.
🌱 4. Change Clothes Dublin – Swap & Mend Workshop
A hands-on workshop that encourages sustainable fashion practices by inviting participants to swap and mend clothing. This is ideal for businesses exploring circular economy models, waste reduction, or employee engagement in sustainability.
🛹 5. Skate + Forage Tour
A joyful and subversive guided tour through Dublin’s edible greenways, combining urban foraging with skate culture. It’s a creative way to rethink urban sustainability, green infrastructure, and community-led climate action.
🧠 6. Talks on Climate Justice and Civic Imagination
Featuring speakers like Seán McCabe (Bohemians FC), Jon Alexander, and Professor John Barry, these talks delve into climate justice, ecological care, and sustainable civic futures. Perfect for professionals seeking thought leadership and policy inspiration. We are also delighted to see that Seán McCabe, one of the upcoming speakers at the Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference 2026 is featured in this line up.
🎬 7. Outdoor Screenings on Living Canvas
Daily films shown on Europe’s largest digital outdoor art screen, curated to provoke reflection on climate, culture, and community. A great way to explore storytelling as a tool for sustainability education and public engagement. A personal favourite would be Éiru which our team at Sustainable Business Network can’t wait to watch!
🔊 8. Climate Alarm Clock Podcast – Live Show
A live recording of a podcast that tackles climate issues with urgency and clarity. Great for professionals interested in climate communication, public engagement, and media strategies for sustainability.
🔥 9. Dinnseanchas Stories by the Fire / Scéaltí Dinnseanchas Cois Tine
This storytelling session connects people to place through Irish folklore and ecological memory. It’s a powerful reminder of how cultural heritage can inform sustainable land use and community resilience. Dinnseanchas is an inspiring project combining the environmental world with the creative lead by our friends at Hometree who spoke at the Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference in January 2025. Also head over to the Farmgate in the Courtyard, exchange stories and have your say!
👟 10. In Our Shoes Walking Tour
A walking tour that explores Dublin through the lens of lived experience and environmental awareness. It’s a compelling example of urban sustainability, inclusive design, and social impact.
👗 11. Breaking Down the Fashion Industry to Grow Something New
A workshop that critically examines the fashion industry and explores regenerative alternatives. Perfect for businesses interested in supply chain transformation, circular economy, and ethical production.
⚖️ 12. Court for Intergenerational Climate Crimes
An immersive tribunal-style installation by Radha D’Souza and Jonas Staal, this project stages public hearings to prosecute climate crimes committed by corporations and states – not just for their impact today, but for their consequences on future generations. It challenges participants to act as a public jury, interrogating the legacy of extractive capitalism and colonialism through artistic and legal frameworks. This is ideal for professionals interested in climate justice, corporate accountability, and intergenerational ethics.
And if that’s not enough, and you would like to get your dance on after soaking up all things sustainability. There are also some exciting musical performances which are not to be missed, such as Mohammad Syfkhan, Negro Impacto and Ispíní na hÉireann. Find out more information on Earth Rising on the IMMA website here.
