Highland Sustainable Development Summit 2026
Description
The Highland Sustainable Development Summit returns for 2026
The Highland Sustainable Development Summit is set to be a stand-out event for the region, with the Highland Renewables Network Exhibition taking place on 18 November and The Highland Sustainable Development Summit taking place on 19 November.
The Highlands stand at a pivotal moment. With unprecedented opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable tourism, community wealth building, nature restoration and green enterprise, we have the chance to create a future that is economically prosperous, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.
Highland CIC is bringing together leaders from business, government, academia, community organisations and the third sector to explore practical solutions and partnerships that will help deliver a sustainable future for the Highlands.
At a glance
Wednesday 18 November 2026 - Highland Renewables Network Exhibition & Supply Chain Sessions
Thursday 19 November 2026 - The Highland Sustainable Development Summit Conference
Venue: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, Highlands
Host: Highland CIC
Wednesday 18 November 2026
Highland Renewables Network Exhibition & Supply Chain Sessions
Day one opens the Summit with the Highland Renewables Network Exhibition - a dedicated event connecting developers, the regional supply chain, public bodies and community organisations. Alongside the exhibition, a programme of supply chain sessions offers practical insight into upcoming projects, procurement opportunities and how local businesses can win work in the energy transition.
The day is designed for networking, partnership building and showcasing the capability of the Highland supply chain to deliver on the region's green energy ambitions.
Thursday 19 November 2026
The Highland Sustainable Development Summit Conference
Day two is the flagship conference - a full day of keynote speakers and four themed panel discussions exploring the practical solutions and partnerships needed to deliver a sustainable future for the Highlands.
18 November HRN Exhibition & Supply Chain Sessions Agenda
- 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Connecting the Industry — Networking breakfast, registration & exhibition
- 10:30 am - 10:40 am
Welcome: The Highland Opportunity
Kate Hooper (Strategy Story) & Michael Matheson (Highland CIC)
- 10:40 am - 10:55 am
Building Social Value into the Transition
- 10:55 am - 11:20 am
Industry Leadership: What Does Good Look Like?
- 11:20 am - 12:30 pm
Connecting the Supply Chain
Exhibition, networking & interviews
- 12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Developer Perspective: Creating Highland Opportunity
- 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Networking lunch & Exhibition
- 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Opening the Highland Supply Chain
- 2:15 pm - 2:20 pm
Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Highlands
Yvonne Crook (Highland CIC), looking ahead to Day Two
- 2:20 pm - 3:00 pm
Supply Chain Connections & Exhibition
Facilitated speed networking
- 3:00 pm
Exhibition closes & informal networking
19 November Highland Sustainable Development Summit Agenda
- 8:45 am - 9:30 am
Connecting leaders: Registration & arrival refreshments
- 9:30 am - 9:35 am
A shared ambition: Welcome to the Highland Sustainable Development Summit
- 9:35 am - 9:45 am
Opening keynote
- 9:45 am - 10:00 am
Pavan Sukhdev: What Does Sustainable Prosperity Actually Mean?
Founder & CEO, GIST Impact, Study Leader TEEB (UNEP); ex-President, WWF International, ex-MD, Deutsche Bank Global Markets How do we create and measure prosperity not just through economic growth, but through what it delivers for people, communities and nature? Introducing Pavan Sukhdev's Four Capitals approach.
- 10:00 am - 10:30 am
If the Highlands get the next 25 years right, what will have changed?
Pavan Sukhdev reflections: What would success look like through the Four Capitals approach - People | Communities | Nature | Economy
- 10:30 am - 10:45 pm
Keynote: Who Benefits? Turning Investment into Lasting Change
- 10:45 am - 11:15 pm
Panel: People, Place & Prosperity - Turning Investment into Better Lives and Stronger Communities
How do investment and growth translate into stronger communities, wellbeing, opportunity and places where people can thrive?
- 11:15 pm - 11:35 am
Networking & refreshment break
- 11:35 pm - 11:45 pm
Keynote: ‘The changing media landscape and political lenses through which sustainability can now be perceived’
Kevin Keane, BBC
- 11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Panel - Nature - Growing Prosperity While Restoring the Natural Capital of the Highlands
- 12:15 pm - 12:25 pm
Keynote: A Climate-Ready Highlands
‘Does the Highlands have the potential to become an international leader in sustainable development and what would it take?’
- 12:25 pm - 1:25 pm
Connecting leaders: Networking lunch and interviews
- 1:25 pm - 1:35 pm
Keynote: A global destination with a bigger purpose
- 1:35 pm - 1:40 am
Keynote: Rethinking Growth
‘Can we redefine what prosperity looks like?’
- 1:40 pm - 2:20 pm
Panel: From Economic Growth to Lasting Prosperity
‘Could the Highlands become an impact investment region?’
- 2:20 pm - 2:30 pm
Keynote: Making the opportunity real: what needs to happen next?
- 2:30 pm - 3:10 pm
Panel: The Next Generation: Skills, Voice & Opportunity
How do we make sure young Highlanders have a stake in the future being created her Launch - My Highlands
- 3:10 pm - 3:20 pm
Comfort break
- 3:20 pm - 3:35 am
Keynote: The Energy Opportunity: Powering the Highlands’ Future
- 3:35 pm - 3:50 pm
Keynote: Turning the energy opportunity into Highland legacy
- 3:50 pm - 4:00 pm
Closing remarks: Highlands Forever
Pavan Sukhdev, Founder & CEO, GIST Impact, Study Leader TEEB (UNEP); ex-President, WWF International, ex-MD, Deutsche Bank Global Markets
- 4:00 pm
Highland Sustainable Development Summit Closes
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
