Festival for a sustainable Belfast

Global Conversation

People, Place and Planet

Debate New Ideas

From Q&A sessions to social media

Inspirational Speakers

Listen to local, national and global experts

Celebrate Initiatives

Find out what companies are doing to support sustainability.

We invite you to RE[act]…

Following the success of RE[act] 2021, we are delighted to relaunch the initiative as our flagship contribution to Belfast 2024.

RE[act] brings together sustainability experts and champions to help inspire change and define a sustainable path towards a better Belfast. The Festival is aligned with COP29 but follows the themes of our homegrown year of culture, with three days of events focusing on “People, Place, and Planet.” Each theme is led by a keynote speaker who are experts in the field, and throughout the day we have curated a wide range of interactive activities, workshops, screenings, tasking menu, artist exhibitions, social networking and more.

With 40 free events available to the public. Please join us between 12-14 November and together lets RE[act] to the climate challenge that we face and help build a more sustainable Belfast.

Themes

Events

“No matter how complex global problems may seem, it is we ourselves who have given rise to them. They cannot be beyond our power to resolve.”

Daisaku Ikeda

See below 2024 EVENTS

The RE[act] Festival mirrors the key themes of Belfast’s Year of Culture: People, Place and Planet. Simply choose a theme that interests you most or search by the calendar of events.

12th November - People
13th November - Place
14th November - Planet

Climate Clever Communities

November 12

4:30-5:30PM Europa Hotel

This engaging, gamified experience allows participants to assess and negotiate actions, forging a local response to the global climate crisis.

Sustainable Event Delivery: Building a Lasting Legacy for Northern Ireland

November 12

5-6 PM Europa Hotel

This two-part session takes attendees on a journey through the principles of sustainable event delivery, highlighting the profound impact that events can have on people, the planet, and prosperity. Through practical examples and visionary strategies, the session will explore how Northern Ireland can lead the way in creating environmentally responsible events that leave a lasting legacy for local communities and the region.

RE[love]: Style with Purpose

November 12

9-12 Noon voco® Belfast - Gasworks

Drop in at our Pop-up sustainable fashion store, where fashion meets sustainability for a cause! Discover a curated collection of pre-loved, high-quality clothing and accessories, all handpicked to give you a chance to refresh your wardrobe while making a positive impact on the planet.

Ignite Your Healthy Ageing Journey

November 12

12-1PM Europa Hotel

Join us for a lunch screening of “The End of Blue Zone” documentary followed by an Ignite Talk by Dr. Nicola Ann Ward about Promed-EX, a study looking into protein rich Mediterranean diet for people in NI.

Our Story, Our City, Our Responsibility – What you DO makes a difference!

November 12

3-6pm Europa Hotel

This three-part event aims to bring together community members, thought leaders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates for an engaging, dynamic discussion on how we can build a more sustainable future. The event will explore critical areas of our daily lives—Eat, Live, Wear, Waste, Power, and Travel—and foster collaboration to drive actionable change in our city.

Business Breakfast: Changing the Business Landscape

November 12

9-10AM Europa Hotel

Hear inspiring stories from leading organisations and their remarkable stories of putting people first and making a difference!

Climate Café

November 12

10:30 -11:30 Social Café - One Elmwood - QUB

Join our Climate Café for casual conversations and connect with like-minded individuals passionate about all things climate!

Sustainable Pop-Up Design Museum

November 12

9-5PM Europa Hotel – Rotunda Room

Discover the work of five brilliant local designers across different disciplines in both the physical and digital realms

AI for Good: How to Use AI Responsibly

November 12

10-11AM Europa Hotel

Interactive session discussing generative AI tools, capabilities, and the latest industry trends.

From Roots to Canopy – Revealing the Hidden Benefits of Urban Trees

November 12

10:30-11:30AM Europa Hotel

Have you ever wondered what urban trees are doing for our towns and cities? Join Paul Armstrong from the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland as he reveals the hidden benefits of trees in our urban environment. Discover how these living legends improve our lives in and learn how we can measure their impact

Building a Culture of Sustainability – Keynote Talk by Raquel Noboa

November 12

7-8PM Europa Hotel - Penthouse Suite

An engaging and transformative workshop that delves into how we can advance a vibrant culture of sustainability within organisations. With Louise Cullen, BBC Agri and Environment Correspondent

Design Thinking (and Doing) for Sustainability

November 13

3-4:30PM Europa Hotel

In this highly interactive hands-on session, participants will explore how the mindsets and tools of human-centred design thinking might help us bring a lens of action toward sustainability to our life and work.

RE[thinking] Resources : Turning Off the Tap

November 13

1-2 PM Europa Hotel

Join us for a powerful call to action as we rally the sector to accelerate its transformation from waste managers to custodians of the critical raw materials that underpin the economy. As the industry evolves, now is the time to embrace this pivotal role in safeguarding resources, driving sustainability, and shaping a resilient future for all.

Lights, Camera, Action for Sustainability: NI’s Film Industry

November 13

1-2PM Europa Hotel

Do you want to know sustainability stories behind your favourite NI filmed movies and series? This session looks at the global shift towards sustainable film making and the changes within the local screen industry to address the environmental impact of film production.

RE[shaping] Tourism: Sustainable Tourism Best Practice

November 13

3-4PM The Academy Restaurant

A refreshing panel of local tourism businesses will discuss their practical and cost effective solutions to become more sustainable.

How Do We Create and Steward Sustainable Cities for the Future? – Keynote Talk by Nicholas Boys Smith MBE

November 13

6-7PM Europa Hotel Penthouse Suite

Nicholas Boys Smith will discuss his work in the UK and abroad and his work with the UK Government on English planning and place policy. What are the implications for the present and future of Belfast? And how can we take people with us to a city which is bigger, better and more beautiful?

RE[love]: Style with Purpose + RE[discover] Hospitality Experience

November 13

9-12 Noon voco® Belfast - Gasworks

Coffee and Tea? Drop in at our Pop-up sustainable fashion store, where fashion meets sustainability for a cause! Discover a curated collection of pre-loved, high-quality clothing and accessories, all handpicked to give you a chance to refresh your wardrobe while making a positive impact on the planet.

Business Breakfast | Building a Sustainable Future: Invest NI’s Green Solutions for Businesses

November 13

9 - 10:30 AM Europa Hotel - Penthouse Suite

Discover the tools, resources, and support available to help your business thrive in a low-carbon, zero waste, energy efficient world and contribute to Northern Ireland’s net-zero journey.

The Green Plate: Tasting Menu at The Academy – Your Gateway to Sustainable Gastronomy | Fee Applies

November 13

12:30 2:30PM The Academy Restaurant

We invite you to experience the flavours of Northern Ireland like never before with our exquisite 4-course small plates tasting menu, crafted from the finest locally sourced produce from 11 councils.

REACTing to our Linen Legacy

November 13

12-1:30pm Europa Hotel – Penthouse Suite

Discover how each thread of linen weaves a tale of innovation, resilience, and craftsmanship that shaped Northern Ireland’s past and future—featuring selected footage from the NI Screen digital archive.

We Used to Cycle – A Journey Through Belfast’s Travel Revolution

November 13

4:45-5:45 PM Europa Hotel

Come along to learn, participate, and be inspired to make active travel a part of your daily routine. With archive footage of Belfast’s transport past, a story of how one family have created the conditions for them to travel sustainably, and ideas about how we move forward and make travel in and around Belfast more pleasant for everyone.

Belfast Through the Years

November 13

3-4PM Europa Hotel Penthouse Suite

Screening of selected archived digital footage of Belfast through different decades, highlighting its story as a thriving place in the 1900’s and potential to create a sustainable city.

Crafting Spaces: A Placemaking Toolkit

November 13

10:30 -12:30PM Europa Hotel – Grand 4-5

This session with Bram Dewolfs (Urban Foxes) will explore ideas to create more inclusive placemaking projects for diverse communities and young citizens.

Climate Bar

November 13

1-2PM SU Bar - One Elmwood - QUB

Join our Climate Bar for casual conversations and connect with like-minded individuals passionate about all things climate!

Sustainable Pop-Up Design Museum

November 13

9-5 Europa Hotel

Discover the work of five brilliant local designers across different disciplines in both the physical and digital realms

Nature Walk + Talk at Divis Mountain

November 13

12-1:30PM Divis Black Mountain

Unique nature walk and expert talk at Divis and Black Mountain No specials skills needed. Just enjoy the walk!

Driving the Future Today!

November 14

9:30 - 12:30 Belfast Grand Central Station

This collaborative event is brought to you by Linen Quarter BID as part of its RE[act] Festival for a Sustainable Belfast and Translink to explore how and why we all need to work together and better. Connect to achieve modal shift in Belfast and beyond.

RE[love]: Style with Purpose

November 14

9-12 Noon voco® Belfast - Gasworks

Climate Craic Couture: Revamp Your Wardrobe!

November 14

11:30 - 12:45PM | 1-2:30PM Europa Hotel Paris Room

Available in AM and PM sessions. Learn creative ways to repurpose old clothes into unique and stylish pieces. Whether you’re a DIY pro or a beginner, this workshop is for you.

Energising Belfast: Delivering a Cleaner and More Secure Energy Future

November 14

1-2PM Europa Hotel Penthouse Suite

Join SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) for an exciting session exploring how they are powering the transition to a sustainable energy future. In this session, SONI will share their vision for supporting Northern Ireland’s renewable energy goals, with a special focus on the transformative “Energising Belfast” project. This key initiative is essential to enabling Belfast’s decarbonisation and green growth ambitions, helping to shape a cleaner, more sustainable future for the city.

Unearth the Heat Beneath our Feet – Geothermal Energy Potential for NI

November 14

9-5 PM Europa Hotel

Drop in and experience our audio visual displays and immersive VR encounter that bring the power of geothermal energy to life. Discover how clean, renewable resource could transform Northern Ireland’s energy landscape, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and paving the way to greener, more sustainable future.

6 Steps to ESG and Sustainability Success – Interactive Workshop

November 14

12-1PM Europa Hotel

Get ready for an engaging introductory course on sustainability and ESG reporting! This session is your gateway to understanding the essentials and driving impact.

Breakfast with Young Leaders Leading with HOPE – KNIB 30 Under 30

November 14

10-11AM Europa Hotel

Breakfast with storytelling and a dynamic panel discussion where these passionate young leaders will share their journeys, challenges, and hopes for our city.

Your Climate Future – A Time for Change

November 14

9-10AM Europa Hotel – Penthouse Suite

This “Climate Briefing” will provide key information about climate change as well as how and why individual and community climate action is vital as we come together to make a difference.

Greening the Deal – Sustainability in Contracts

November 14

10-11AM Europa Hotel

Workshop to explore the concept of sustainability and its critical relevance to modern contracting.

Nature Conservation – An Evening with Barra Best

November 14

5-6:20pm Europa Hotel - Penthouse Suite

Screening of Barra Best’s Return of the Wild! Dive into thrilling behind-the-scenes stories with Barra himself, followed by an exciting Q&A session!

Northern Ireland First Climate Change Act + Net Zero 2050: Plans and Approach -Keynote talk by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA

November 14

6:30-7:30PM Europa Hotel - Penthouse Suite

Join DAERA Minister Andrew Muir as he outlines Northern Ireland’s plans and approach for meeting the ambitious targets set by the NI Climate Change Act and the roadmap to net-zero. Discover how you can play a role in addressing the climate crisis and contributing to the creation of a climate-resilient Northern Ireland. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, engage, and be part of the solution!