Dublin #13 - Christmas Cracker: Game changer

From flooded pitches to extreme heat, climate change is rewriting the rules of the game - impacting athletes, fans and the entire sports industry. Game Changer explores how rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns and sustainability pressures are reshaping everything from stadium design to sponsorship deals. With billions invested in sports globally, can this powerhouse industry become a leader in climate action? Join us as we fast-forward to 2030 and beyond, imagining a future where sports don’t just survive climate change - but help drive the solutions.

The evening will unfold through a series of conversations that bring the climate–sport connection to life from very different vantage points. We begin with leadership: an intimate fireside discussion with elite athlete and Irish rugby legend Linda Djougang, followed by Seán McCabe on how clubs and communities can drive bold, justice-centred climate action. From there we shift into inspiration, moving through film, surf culture and extreme adventure sports as Alice Ward and Daragh Morgan show how creativity and endurance can deepen our understanding of environmental change.

The programme then brings these threads together in a panel discussion featuring leaders from rugby, hockey, surf, triathlon and filmmaking, exploring how climate impacts are reshaping performance, participation and decision-making across sport. The formal sessions end on a lighter note with our annual Crappy Christmas Quiz before Clubbers return to networking and conversation (likely with left-field Christmas songs to boot).

The structure is designed to move from personal experience to system-wide perspectives, giving audiences a grounded and energising look at where sport and climate action meet.

SPEAKERS

• Linda Djougang, Professional Rugby Player with Ireland and Leinster

• Seán McCabe, Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability, Bohemian Football Club

• Daragh Morgan, Adventure Athlete, Swim Eire

• Alice Ward, Creative Director, Sea Pea Films

• Laura Lahiff, Sustainability Lead, Munster Rugby

• Ben Johnson, Paris Olympian and International Hockey Player, Team Ireland; and Sustainability Professional, EY

EVENT SCHEDULE

1815 - Doors open (cocktails and networking)

1915 - Kick-off by Tom Popple

PART 1 - Leadership

1920 - Fireside chat: perspectives from an elite athlete, with Linda Djougang

1945 - Leadership keynote: bold community-led climate action, with Seán McCabe

PART 2 - Inspiration

2005 - Creative feature: exploring surfing's links to environmental damage and human health, with Alice Ward

2020 - Inspiration keynote: connecting people with nature through extreme adventure sports, with Daragh Morgan

2030 - Panel discussion: dive into the climate and sports nexus, with Laura Lahiff, Ben Johnson, Alice Ward, Daragh Morgan

PART 3 - Quiz

2110 - Christmas Cracker Annual Pub Quiz

2130 - Closing remarks

2300 - Close

TICKETS

In true CCC style, the event is open to all, but the space is limited, so buy your tickets early to ensure you have a spot. We have individual tickets and table reservations (five tickets).

PARTNERS

We are proud to be supported by our event partners. Contact us to support the mission and become a partner to the Climate Cocktail Club. We need your sponsorship to ensure our events are successful. We have a limited number of event partner and sponsor opportunities - please get in touch (info@climatecocktailclub.org).

OFFICIAL COCKTAIL PARTNER - IRELAND

DIAGEO

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Spirit of Progress, is Diageo’s ongoing ESG action plan to create a more inclusive and sustainable world. Diageo’s Spirit of Progress ambitions have three priorities: to promote positive drinking, champion inclusion and diversity and pioneer grain-to-glass sustainability. Doing business the right way underpins everything Diageo does.

Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice.

BRAND PARTNER

THINKHOUSE

THINKHOUSE is one of the world’s leading independent agencies. Powered by youth culture, its digital-first, future-fit marketing is for progressive brands that care about people and planet. The company transforms and empowers organisations and teams by helping shift mindsets and adopt new ways of looking at the world - through the lens of the next generation. THINKHOUSE’s innovative, creative work is a vehicle for change, born out of its mission to have a positive impact on the lives of younger generations, now and into the future. www.thinkhousehq.com

DELIVERY PARTNER

ERINN INNOVATION

ERINN Innovation is an impact driven company dedicated to advancing sustainable development through national and EU projects, initiatives, and services. We aim to connect and engage diverse stakeholders to bridge gaps, foster dialogue, and build a sustainable future for all. Some of the impactful initiatives we support include Peatland Finance Ireland, an initiative aiming to secure financing for large-scale peatland restoration in Ireland. We’re also collaborating with the University of Galway under the EU LIFE Peatlands & People project to conceptualise a Climate House for Ireland, a transformative visitor experience and Ireland’s leading climate impact venue, which will be located in the midlands. We’re also involved in the Irish Ocean Literacy Network, which has the vision to achieve an Ocean Literate society across the island of Ireland.

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

KPMG IRELAND

KPMG Sustainable Futures is a dedicated cross-functional team of experts who help corporates and public sector clients plan and execute programmes addressing ESG topics, decarbonisation, and long-term value creation. At KPMG, we believe that organisations that rise to these challenges and show leadership will be rewarded by their stakeholders and gain access to new opportunities. Those businesses that fail to act may put their margins and even business models at risk. Whether your organisation is just beginning its sustainability journey, reporting on its progress, or financing new initiatives, we have the knowledge and the people to support you.

BE IMPACTFUL

INDEPENDENT ADVISORY FOR CLIMATE, NATURE AND COMMUNITY IMPACT. We unleash changemakers with the insights, solutions and partnerships they need to reach set goals. We supercharge purpose-driven brands, organisations and social enterprises across the world. We are honest, transparent and fiercely independent. We strive for a just, equitable and thriving planet.

COLLABORATORS

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL LLP

Founded in 2007, Sustainable Development Capital LLP (“SDCL”) is one of the most established and innovative investment firms in the sustainability markets and is unique in its dedicated focus on efficient and decentralized energy solutions. SDCL’s core strategy is to develop and invest in sustainable energy infrastructure assets that reduce cost and carbon and improve reliability. The Firm has a long and proven track record in delivering solutions for major technology, healthcare, commercial, industrial, and public sector clients, such as enterprise and hyper-scale data centres, hospitals, heavy and light industrial facilities, universities, warehouses, and hotels. SDCL deploys a wide range of commercially proven technologies such as on-site renewables including solar paired with storage, renewable heat, and cogeneration, as well as energy conservation measures such as LED lighting, energy efficient heating and cooling, motors, building management systems and controls. SDCL’s infrastructure investment capabilities cover all stages of the project development lifecycle, from concept to long term operations. In addition to project investments, SDCL has launched a private equity division to invest growth equity capital in the best companies providing products and services to the EDGE markets. SDCL is headquartered in London and the group, and its investment vehicles also operate from offices in New York, Greenwich, Dublin, Hong Kong, and Singapore.  SDCL is authorized and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

SUSTAINABILITYEXAMPLES.COM

We help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driving climate action (Doers) gain more visibility, greater recognition, and a faster ROI for their sustainability initiatives by providing a dedicated platform where they can launch, share, and compete for prominence through community engagement with climate-conscious supporters (Champions).

LUGGALA ESTATE