All-Ireland award for Mayo man

Luke Gibbons, a 28-year-old PhD candidate and Irish Research Council Scholar from Claremorris, County Mayo, has been honoured with the prestigious All Ireland Young Sustainability Change Maker of the Year Award at a Gala Ball held on Thursday, October 24th, at the La Mon Hotel and Country Club in Belfast.

The All-Ireland Young Sustainability Change Maker Award highlights individuals under 30 who are making significant strides in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability. Luke was selected from a highly competitive field of nominees for his exceptional leadership in environmental education, policy development, and climate action advocacy.

In a double celebration, Luke was also announced as the Young Mayo Person of the Year in Breaffy House Hotel on the same day. These awards recognize his outstanding efforts as a young environmental and sustainability leader, celebrating his role in driving positive change within his community and the broader low-carbon economy.

Luke Gibbons’ career has been marked by numerous accolades that span both academia and policy-making. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Trinity College Dublin, funded by the Irish Research Council, where his research focuses on company directors’ duties in relation to climate change risks. His work addresses the growing need for corporate governance to align with climate action, a subject of increasing relevance in the legal and business worlds.

His leadership in sustainability was globally recognised earlier this year when he was named one of the Top 30 Under 30 Environmental Educators in the World by the North American Association for Environmental Education. This distinction highlights his role in promoting environmental education that reaches over 300,000 people worldwide. He is the only awardee from Ireland and the European Union in the 2024 cohort.

In February 2024, Luke was further honoured as a recipient of the Top 40 Under 40 Irish in America award, where he won the People’s Choice Award with an astounding 21,496 votes. This recognition celebrated Luke’s transatlantic contributions to sustainability, education, and climate action, reflecting his influence both in Ireland and the U.S.

Luke’s academic journey is as impressive as his advocacy. He holds a First-Class Law Degree with a Gold Medal from Trinity College Dublin and a BCL Masters in Law with Distinction from the University of Oxford, where he was named the Honoré Scholar in Law. Additionally, Luke undertook a Fulbright Scholarship at Harvard Law School as a Visiting Researcher in 2023, further cementing his international impact in the areas of environmental law and climate change governance.

Luke has presented his research at prestigious conferences, including the Irish Centre for European Law and Environmental Protection Agency Conference at Dublin Castle and the Mary Robinson Climate Conference 2024. His publications, including The Cancer of Climate Change Law and Striking the ‘Right Balance’ Between Credibility, Effectiveness, and Political Feasibility when Designing Multilateral Environmental Agreements, are contributing to thought leadership in climate law.

Beyond academia, Luke has played an instrumental role in shaping climate policy. He worked as a Legislative Fellow in the office of U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright as part of the Washington Ireland Program. During his time on Capitol Hill, he contributed to bipartisan environmental legislation, including efforts to monitor toxic mercury pollution and the UNLEADED Act. His collaboration with high-profile figures, such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jacinda Ardern, and Chelsea Clinton during his tenure at Harvard, showcases the breadth of his influence in climate diplomacy.

Luke is also a Climate Reality Leader under former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and a Young Climate Leader with President Mary Robinson’s Climate Leadership Program. These roles reflect his dedication to advancing global climate action and his ability to inspire the next generation of environmental advocates.

In addition to his policy work and philanthropy, Luke is the founder of the Ireland America Young Professionals Network (IAYPN), which has grown to over 1,000 members since its inception in 2023. Earlier this year, Luke was named in the Top 40 Under 40 Irish in America, where he won the People’s Choice Award for his work in the Ireland-U.S. sustainability space.

In September 2024, Luke represented the Washington Ireland Program at the UN Summit of the Future in NYC. In December 2024, Luke will represent Ireland at the Global Peace Summit in NYC, where he will engage in high-level discussions about Ireland’s potential role in influencing global climate policy. Furthermore, on November 26, 2024, Luke will speak alongside Mary Robinson in the Royal College of Surgeons, where they will discuss Ireland’s influence on global climate policy.

Luke’s contributions to environmental education, policy advocacy, and public engagement make him a fitting recipient of the All Ireland Young Sustainability Change Maker Award. His work continues to shape both national and international dialogues on climate action.

Reflecting on the honour, Luke said:

“It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized for work that I feel so passionate about. This award represents not just an achievement for me, but for everyone who is working tirelessly to create a more sustainable future. I believe we all have a role to play in tackling the climate crisis, and this recognition reinforces my commitment to driving positive change in Ireland and beyond.”