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
Turning Investment into Highland Opportunity
- 10:55 am - 12:30 pm
Connecting the Highland Supply Chain
Exhibition, networking & interviews
- 12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Developer Perspective: Creating Highland Opportunity
Fred. Olsen Renewables
- 12:45 pm - 1:35 pm
Networking lunch & Exhibition
- 1:35 pm - 2:15 pm
Panel - The Investment Pipeline: Delivering Highland Opportunity
- 2:15 pm - 2:20 pm
From Opportunity to Legacy: Looking Ahead to Day Two
Yvonne Crook (Highland CIC)
- 2:20 pm - 3:00 pm
Making Connections: Supply Chain & Exhibition
Facilitated speed networking
- 3:00 pm
Exhibition closes & informal networking
19 November Highland Sustainable Development Summit Agenda
- 8:15 am - 9:00 am
Connecting leaders: Registration & arrival refreshments
- 9:00 am - 9:05 am
Welcome to the Highland Sustainable Development Summit: A shared ambition for the Highlands
- 9:05 am - 9:15 am
Keynote - Yvonne Crook (Highland CIC): ‘From Highland Opportunity to Global Leadership: A New Model for Sustainable Development’
Yvonne Crook (Highland CIC)
- 9:15 am - 9:30 am
Keynote - Pavan Sukhdev (GIST Impact): 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.
- 9:30 am - 10:10 am
Panel - The Highland Challenge: 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
- 10:10 am - 10:50 am
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?
- 10:50 am - 11:00 am
Keynote - Kevin Keane (BBC): ‘‘Changing the conversation - sustainability, media & public trust’
Kevin Keane, BBC
- 11:00 am - 11:20 am
Networking & refreshment break
- 11:20 am - 12:00 pm
Panel - Nature & Prosperity: can the Highlands grow both?
- 12:00 pm - 12:10 pm
Keynote - Keith Masson (HIE): A Climate-Ready Highlands - are we ready for what comes next?
‘Does the Highlands have the potential to become an international leader in sustainable development and what would it take?’
- 12:10 pm - 12:25 pm
Keynote - Beyond tourism: the power of destination development
- 12:25 pm - 12:35 pm
Keynote - A global destination with a bigger purpose
- 12:35 pm - 1:30 pm
Connecting leaders: Networking lunch and interviews
- 1:30 pm - 1:45 pm
The Highlands we want to build - a live conversation with the room
- 1:45 pm - 1:55 pm
Keynote - What does prosperity look like when a community actually feels the benefit?
- 1:55 pm - 2:35 pm
Panel: From Economic Growth to Lasting Prosperity
‘Could the Highlands become an impact investment region?’
- 2:35 pm - 2:55 pm
Comfort break
- 2:55 pm - 3:05 pm
Keynote - The Energy Opportunity: Powering the Highlands’ Future
- 3:05 pm - 3:45 pm
Panel - Collaboration, Competition and the Highland Opportunity - Highland Renewables Steering Group conversation
- 3:45 pm - 4:25 pm
Panel - The Next Generation: Skills, Voice & Opportunity
How do we make sure young Highlanders have a stake in the future being created here? Launch - My Highlands
- 4:25 pm - 4:30 pm
Keynote - Making the opportunity real: what needs to happen next?
- 4:30 pm - 4:40 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
- 4:40 pm
Highland Sustainable Development Summit Closes
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
