In thought leadership article Laura Magahy CDir, Chairperson, Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate, outlines strategising for a sustainable future, and the next stage of the Creative Boardroom Collaborate4Climate project.
In boardrooms across Ireland, climate change has shifted from being a long-term risk to an immediate strategic and practical concern. Directors are now expected not only to understand its implications but to lead through its disruptions – anticipating impacts and opportunities, and adapting proactively, with resilience. This is precisely the challenge that Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate set out to address, and as we enter Phase 2 of this dynamic programme we look forward to partnering with organisations across the island of Ireland in actioning this urgency.
Launched in late 2023, in partnership with the Institute of Directors Ireland, the Creative Futures Academy and Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland, and supported by Creative Ireland’s Climate Action and Shared Island funds, Phase 1 of the programme brought together a cohort of 24 experienced Chartered Directors (from across the Island) and 20 third-level design students from across the island. Over 10 months, this intergenerational and interdisciplinary group tackled some of the most complex climate systems which drive carbon emissions – transport, the built environment, food and textiles – through a design-thinking-led, collaborative ideation process.
For many participants, it was the first time working so closely with designers, students, academics and policy thinkers in such a hands-on way. The outcome was not only a deeper understanding of climate systems and circular economy principles, but also a practical toolkit for strategic action – grounded in design thinking, systems mapping and creative exploration.
Leading through complexity in the boardroom
One of the consistent messages from directors throughout Phase 1 was a growing realisation: traditional problem-solving approaches are no longer sufficient in the face of systemic challenges like climate change. The climate crisis demands not just compliance, but imagination.
Design thinking offered a structured yet accessible methodology to support this shift. Across five workshops and three director-led strategy sessions, participants developed a series of co-created outputs that now form the basis of a toolkit for board-level climate action. Directors reported greater confidence, literacy and clarity around their leadership role in sustainability. Students, meanwhile, felt empowered to see their creative skills as central to real-world impact. The intergenerational exchange proved both instructive and inspiring.
Making the story public
Perhaps most importantly, Collaborate4Climate changed how participants perceived their individual and collective agency. In an era often marked by climate fatigue or helplessness, this programme demonstrated that real change is possible when cross-sectoral dialogue is grounded in trust, empathy and shared purpose.
The programme culminated in a public exhibition at the National College of Art and Design Gallery in Dublin, showcasing the data, insights and solutions generated during the workshops. This exhibition served both as a celebration and a call to action for boardrooms across Ireland – to see climate not as a roadblock, but as a powerful opportunity to lead differently.
The response from the wider business and policy community was overwhelmingly positive. Attendance was strong, media coverage significant and online engagement with the materials continues to grow. Importantly, the exhibition was designed to be scalable – both in form and function.
Looking ahead: Phase 2 and a new strategic partner
As we move into Phase 2, our ambition grows. We are delighted to welcome audit, tax and advisory firm Forvis Mazars as a key strategic partner. Their deep commitment to responsible governance, ESG leadership and long-term thinking makes them an ideal collaborator.
Phase 2 will see the Collaborate4Climate exhibition tour host organisations across the island. Each stop will include the option of a bespoke design thinking workshop focused on ‘Strategising for Sustainable Futures’, offering staff and board members a framework for action and embedding insight into decision-making. These workshops are practical, participatory interventions – designed to help bridge the gap between sustainability intentions and implementation.
The role of directors going forward
As directors, we are used to working with risk registers, audit trails and compliance frameworks. But the climate crisis requires us to think more expansively. It asks: What kind of future are we shaping through the decisions we make today?
Through Collaborate4Climate, we are helping boards bring climate into the heart of strategy – not as a cost, but as a driver of innovation, resilience and long-term value. And the results speak for themselves. From the North–South collaboration that highlighted shared opportunities, to surprising insights from creative processes and intergenerational learning, this initiative has shown that a new kind of leadership isn’t just necessary – it’s already emerging.
Join the movement
As we roll out Phase 2, we invite boards and leaders across the island to get involved. This next phase brings our dynamic, thought-provoking and visually compelling exhibition on tour - offering organisations the chance to host it in their boardrooms, offices, campuses and public spaces.
This is not just an exhibition to observe - it’s an experience to engage with. Featuring powerful visuals, informative data and real-world ideas generated by directors and students, it reveals what happens when creative minds meet executive leadership in the arena of sustainability. Whether you’re a listed company, public entity, or mission-driven enterprise, hosting this exhibition is a statement: that you’re serious about sustainability, focused on innovation, and committed to shaping the future, not just reacting to it.
Together, through collaboration and creativity, we can design a future that works for our companies, our communities and our climate.
To learn more visit the Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate website.
Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate
This initiative aimed to generate dynamic and creative solutions that can meaningfully address the complex environmental and social challenges that we currently face as a result of climate change.
