A Morning with Mary Robinson: Climate Change, Leadership & Collective Action

Briefing by

Ann Shiels,

Co-Founder, Green Team Network

On a rainy January morning, a true Guardian of the Planetary Boundaries joined the Green Team Network to launch 2026 in powerful style.

Mrs Mary Robinson was guest of honour at our first event of the year, kindly hosted by William Fry LLP. A lifelong trailblazer, she has served as President of Ireland, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and—remarkably—became a Senator at just 25. Today, she is co-founder of Project Dandelion, Adjunct Professor of Climate Justice at Trinity College Dublin, and a member of The Elders. Her impact on global justice is unparalleled.

Billed as “A Morning with Mary Robinson: Climate Change, Leadership & Collective Action”, the event more than delivered:

From Human Rights to Climate Justice

Reflecting on her presidency of Ireland, Mrs Robinson noted that climate change simply wasn’t on the agenda at the time—it didn’t have a name as it does today. When she joined the UN in 1997, her focus was indigenous rights, human rights and equality. Over time, climate injustice emerged as inseparable from these issues.

Today, Mrs Robinson's view of the climate crisis is shaped by 5 core lenses:

1. Its disproportionate impact on minorities

2. Its unequal burden on women

3. The injustice imposed on future generations

4. The imbalance between developed and developing worlds

5. The destruction of nature and accelerating species loss

   
   

Against the backdrop of the recent Davos World Economic Forum week for global leaders, her message was clear: she no longer attends.

Planetary Boundaries and Political Choice

Referencing the work of Johan Rockström and the Stockholm Resilience Centre, Mrs Robinson warned that we are now at tipping points across 7 out of the 9 planetary boundaries. The threats to coral reefs and the Amazon are immediate and real.

"Yet there is hope"

Yet there is hope - The recovery of one boundary - the ozone layer - shows that when we choose to act, progress is possible. The challenge is not capability—but will.She acknowledged the EU’s strong legislative framework on climate and emissions, while warning that the current “competitiveness” agenda risks diluting hard-won regulatory progress. Her message was direct: we can be both competitive and clean.

Ireland: Urgency and Opportunity

Ireland, Mrs Robinson noted, is not on track to meet its climate targets. A 51% emissions reduction is required by 2030; current projections for Ireland stand at 29%. “29 is not 51,” she said plainly. The prospect of fines for Ireland missing these targets appears underestimated.

Achieving progress will require systemic, sector-by-sector change—particularly in agriculture—while also balancing food security. With Ireland importing 85% of its food (a “precarious” figure according to Mrs Robinson), food security is a pressing issue. She also highlighted Ireland’s untapped potential in renewable energy, especially wind, calling for a planning system that better enables delivery.

All of this, of course, requires big, courageous action.

Finance, Leadership and Community

On the role of finance, Mrs Robinson was unequivocal: money is never neutral. Her challenge to the financial services sector was — Don’t be soft. Make your voice heard. Shift capital toward environmental solutions and support a just transition away from high-emitting economic activities.

We all have a voice.

Quoting Kofi Annan —

“You are never too young to lead, and never too old to learn”

— Mrs Robinson reminded us that leadership is a responsibility shared by all.

Mrs Robinson closed by urging a return to community, referencing Article 29 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights  ‘Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his/her personality is possible’.  She linked this to a very Irish concept: “Meitheal” and shared an Irish saying - “Is ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” - It is in each other’s shelter that we flourish.

This spirit was beautifully reflected in the handcrafted artwork presented to Mrs Robinson by the Green Team Network, created by artist Nessa Doran O’Reilly of the Rediscovery Centre, Ballymun. When light passes through it, silhouettes of people emerge—a fitting symbol of collective action.

Our Thanks

The courageous, collaborative action required to address the climate crisis is no small task. We are grateful that today, we heard the urgency of the issue and the hope of action articulated in such a clear, compelling and empowering way.

Thank you, Mrs Robinson.

Huge thanks to speakers on the day: Niall Cribben, Aedín O'Leary (hosting the fireside chat), Suzanne Senior and Ann Shiels. Of course, this event could never have happened without our dedicated GTN events team of Sarah Bradley, Keith Parker, Jack Lee, Jill Shaw and Clodagh Ruigrok. 

The Green Team Network strives to begin each year with inspiration. Our 2026 launch will be remembered as one of our most impactful yet!

Coming up next: Final details of our 2026 Climate Challenge in association with GAP (Global Action Plan Ireland). You can register your interest in learning more here: https://www.greenteamnetwork.ie/contact-8

Meanwhile, some background on the Challenge: https://www.greenteamnetwork.ie/climatechallenge