Two keynotes announced for the 10th Sustainability Summit – plus how to make the most of your day

The Sustainability Summit returns to Sydney this November for its 10th year, bringing together some of Australia’s leading voices in sustainable architecture, design and construction for a full day of discussion, debate and formal CPD.

This year’s program features eight expert panel discussions and two keynote presentations, giving delegates the opportunity to earn up to 10 Formal CPD points across the complete program.

And with the two keynote speakers now announced, the 2026 program is taking shape.

Two keynotes, two perspectives on the future of sustainable design

Opening up the conversation is Professor Deo Prasad, last year’s Sustainability Awards Lifetime Achievement winner, with Passive Solar to Regenerative and Circularity – How the Changing Focus Has Been Evolving and Influencing Design Outcomes.

Drawing on five decades of change in sustainable design, Prasad will explore the evolution from passive solar principles through energy efficiency, decarbonisation and circularity to the growing focus on regenerative design – and consider where the built environment needs to go next.

At the other end of the program, architect and Churchill Fellow Carol Marra, Director of Marra + Yeh Architects, will present Design for Climate, Design for Change.

Marra’s keynote tackles one of the most immediate challenges facing the profession: how we design for a climate that is already changing. Drawing on vernacular precedents alongside contemporary case studies, she will explore practical approaches to designing for bushfire, extreme heat, flooding, storms and other increasingly prevalent climate risks.

Together, the two presentations provide complementary perspectives: one looking at how sustainable design has evolved and where it is heading, and the other examining how those principles can be applied to the climate challenges architects and designers are confronting today.

10 sessions. Up to 10 Formal CPD points.

Alongside the two keynotes, the 2026 Sustainability Summit program includes eight Formal CPD panel sessions addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the built environment.

Topics range from regenerative design, nature-based solutions and waste reduction to data centres, renewable energy, fire resilience, housing and the skills and supply chains required to deliver more sustainable construction.

Each of the Summit’s 10 sessions is worth 1 Formal CPD point, meaning delegates can complete up to 10 Formal CPD points through the program.

But that doesn’t mean you need to squeeze all 10 sessions into the day.

How to get the most from your Summit ticket

One of the advantages of this year’s format is flexibility.

Plan your day before you arrive. Review the eight panels and two keynotes in advance and identify the sessions most relevant to your practice, projects or professional development priorities.

• Pick and choose on the day. With sessions running across the Summit program, you can build your own agenda rather than feeling you need to attend every session in person.
• Make time for the conversations outside the sessions. The Summit brings together architects, designers, sustainability specialists, suppliers and industry leaders from across the built environment. Don’t overlook the value of networking, meeting speakers and exploring the product and innovation displays between sessions.

Catch up afterwards. Most importantly, you don’t have to choose between two sessions you want to see. Every session will be professionally recorded, with ticket holders receiving access to the complete library of recordings for 60 days following the Summit.

That means you can attend your priority sessions on the day and complete the remaining sessions afterwards, including the required CPD components, to work towards the full 10 Formal CPD points.

A different Summit format for 2026

There is one important change for delegates familiar with previous Sustainability Summits: there will be no livestream in 2026.

The Summit is returning its focus to the in-person experience at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney on 12 November 2026, creating more opportunity for face-to-face discussion, networking and engagement throughout the day.

However, the removal of the livestream doesn’t mean those unable to attend in person need to miss the program.

All registered ticket holders will receive access to recordings of every keynote and panel for 60 days after the event. This means that if circumstances prevent you from attending on the day, you can still access the Summit content online and complete the relevant requirements to earn Formal CPD points.

For those attending in person, the same access means there is no pressure to see everything at once. Choose the sessions that matter most to you, enjoy the full Summit experience and catch up on anything you missed afterwards.

Celebrating 10 years of the Sustainability Summit

First established as a dedicated education platform for Australia’s architecture and design community, the Sustainability Summit reaches its 10th year in 2026.

Over that decade, the sustainability conversation has shifted significantly – from energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact to decarbonisation, circularity, resilience and increasingly regenerative approaches to the built environment.

The 2026 program reflects that evolution, while asking what comes next.

The 2026 Sustainability Summit will be held on Thursday 12 November at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

With two keynotes, eight expert panels, 10 Formal CPD opportunities and 60-day access to every session recording, delegates can build a Summit experience around the issues most relevant to them – and continue learning long after the day itself.

Book your ticket now while Early Bird rates save you 30% off the full price. Click for the full agenda or to book your ticket.
Article originally published: https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/editorial/sustainability/two-keynotes-announced-for-the-10th-sustainability-summit-plus-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-day