The Best Energy and Sustainability Conferences to Attend in 2021
No matter what field of work you are in, attending events and conferences (even if virtually) is beneficial. That’s why we created a list of the top energy and sustainability conferences to attend in 2021.
Beyond networking with other people you might not meet otherwise, you also gain new knowledge and inspiration to bring back to your organization. And there are many great virtual and in person opportunities covering a range of energy and sustainability topics.
Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.
Michele Jennae
What to Expect
To adapt to the current times, conferences and events are continually evolving. Many of the meetings listed below are online only.
While sitting in front of your computer may not live up to the in-person event experience, they still offer plenty of opportunities to build your network and stay plugged into industry trends.
More and more events that may have been previously inaccessible due to geographic limitations are now accessible for anyone to attend virtually. Many events do have registration fees. If your budget is tight, be sure to inquire about scholarships or special discounts!
2021 Energy and Sustainability Conferences
Here are a few of the top energy and sustainability networking conferences from around the country to have on your radar.
Note: Click the shortcut links below to read the full details on each energy and sustainability conference (or just scroll down).
February
IDEA Campus Energy Conference
MEEA Midwest Energy Solutions Conference
March
MIT Energy Conference
April
BNEF Summit
USGBC & CSI DesignColumbus Conference
May
BuildingEnergy Boston Conference
Sustainable Pittsburgh Sustainability Conference
U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit
EEI Building Diversity Virtual Conference
NAEM EHSTECH21 Software, Innovation & Technology Showcase
June
ACSCE/ERI World Environmental & Water Resources Congress
AWEA CLEANPOWER Expo
Forth Roadmap Conference
GreenBiz Circularity21 Conference
July
ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry
September
IDEA 2021 Powering the Future
BuildingEnergy NYC Conference
October
AEE World
November
ACEEE Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change
IDEA Campus Energy Conference
When: Tuesday – Thursday, February 16 – 18
Format: Online
About: College and university campuses have emerged as global leaders in the operation and optimization of world-class district energy systems. For over 30 years, the annual IDEA Campus Energy Conference has earned a reputation for excellent technical content, valuable peer exchange, and open constructive dialogue with business partners in a relaxed, collegial atmosphere.
Learn more about Campus Energy
MEEA Midwest Energy Solutions Conference
When: Tuesday – Friday, February 16 – 19, 2021
Format: Online
About: MES is about celebrating accomplishments in energy efficiency, as well as laying out the efficiency program and policy landscape for the coming year.
Learn more about Midwest Energy Solutions Conference
MIT Energy Conference
When: Wednesday – Friday, March 10 – 12, 2021
Format: Online
About: Dive into the critical decisions the US energy industry is making to drive a cleaner energy future. We bring you the 2021 MIT Energy Conference via the innovative Hopin platform, where you will interact with energy leaders making high-stakes decisions that will drastically improve the energy landscape over the next 30 years.
Learn more about the MIT Energy Conference
BNEF Summit
When: Tuesday & Wednesday, April 13 & 14, 2021
Format: Online
About: Where energy, finance and technology converge. The BNEF Summit has been convening leaders in energy, industry, transport, technology, finance and government since 2008, generating ideas, delivering insight, and making the connections that help them formulate successful strategies, capitalize on technological change and shape a cleaner, more competitive future.
Learn more about the BNEF Summit
USGBC & CSI DesignColumbus Conference
When: Monday – Friday, April 26 – 30
Format: Online
About: The Ohio Community of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC Ohio) and the Columbus Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)–co-hosts of DesignColumbus–will once again be offering an opportunity to learn and engage in the transformation of our built environment to be more healthy, prosperous and sustainable. DesignColumbus attendees can earn AIA and GBCI continuing education units (CEUs) for each education session, with some also earning IDCEC CEUs.
Learn more about Design Columbus
BuildingEnergy Boston Conference
When: Wednesday – Friday, May 5-7, 2021
Format: Online
About: BuildingEnergy Boston is a conference designed by and for practitioners in the fields of high-performance building and design, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
“This is the best place to geek out about energy, health, carbon, and the build environment.”
Learn more about BuildingEnergy Boston
Sustainable Pittsburgh Sustainability Conference
When: Thursday & Friday, May 6 & 7, 2021
Format: Online
About: Save the date for this 2 day virtual conference presented by ASCE/EWRI, and Sustainable Pittsburgh.
Learn more about the Sustainable Pittsburgh Sustainability Conference
U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit
When: Monday – Thursday, May 17 – 20, 2021
Format: Online
About: This will be a virtual, no-cost event featuring engaging and interactive sessions, as well as opportunities for attendees to network with their fellow industry peers and experts.
JadeTrack customer Wendy’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability includes participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Building Challenge. Learn how JadeTrack works closely with their team to take the initial challenge out of managing their data.
Learn more about the Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit
EEI Building Diversity Virtual Conference
When: Tuesday & Wednesday, May 18 – 19, 2021
Format: Online
About: As the leading trade association for the electric power industry, EEI is committed and qualified to address all things industry related. This conference brings together electric companies, primes, diverse business owners, and governing bodies for the purpose of education, training, and business opportunity exploration.
Learn more about the EEI Building Diversity Virtual Conference
NAEM EHSTECH21 Software, Innovation & Technology Showcase
When: Tuesday – Thursday, May 25 – 27, 2021
Format: Online
About: Whether you are shopping for new environmental, health, safety or sustainability management (EHS&S) software, implementing a just-purchased system, trying to get the most of your current systems(s), or wanting to stay on the cutting edge of how to use technology to drive innovation in your EHS&S department, NAEM’s Software, Innovation & Technology Showcase has something for you.
Learn more about the EHSTECH21
ACSCE/ERI World Environmental & Water Resources Congress
When: Monday – Friday, June 7 – 11, 2021
Format: Online
About: Now being held virtually, attendees taking part in the EWRI Congress will have the opportunity to share their research on issues affecting the environment and the policies relating to water resources. As a water community, we will focus on using our existing knowledge, combined with fresh ideas to maximize resources and develop best practices as we strive for a healthy future environment.
Learn more about the World Environmental & Water Resources Congress
AWEA CLEANPOWER Expo
When: Monday – Thursday, June 7 – 10, 2021
Format: Indianapolis, IN
About: CLEANPOWER offers the most efficient and targeted event for utility-scale renewable companies in the Western Hemisphere. This expanded and targeted business development event will help your company reach new heights.
Learn more about the AWEA CLEANPOWER Expo
Forth Roadmap Conference
When: Monday – Wednesday, June 14 – 16, 2021
Format: Online
About: Accelerated and widespread electric, smart, and shared mobility adoption requires a diverse and supportive “ecosystem” of industry and community leaders – from utilities and local governments; to vehicle OEMs, charging providers, and technology startups; to public interest groups and drivers. The annual Roadmap Conference brings all of these stakeholders together in a highly interactive format to explore emerging trends, share best practices and lessons learned, and build the road ahead.
Learn more about the Forth Roadmap Conference
GreenBiz Circularity21 Conference
When: Tuesday – Thursday, June 15 – 17, 2021
Format: Online
About: The circular economy is a bold vision for tomorrow — and today — empowering leaders across industries and communities to increase resilience, mitigate climate risk and unlock new business opportunities. Circularity 21, the largest online circular economy event, offers an engaging and informative program, expo and networking opportunities. Join the growing global community of thousands of visionaries and practitioners to learn, connect and accelerate the circular economy.
Learn more about the Circularity21 Conference
ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry
When: Tuesday – Thursday, July 13 – 15, 2021
Format: Online
About: Our 14th biennial conference will offer a provocative and dynamic discussion of industry on the brink of transformation. With industry accounting for more than one-fourth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, its decarbonization is more important than ever, and energy efficiency is a critical path forward.
Learn more about the ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry
IDEA 2021 Conference
When: Monday – Wednesday, September 27 – 29, 2021
Format: Austin, Texas
About: Registration and program details will be available in early Spring.
Learn more about the IDEA 2021 Conference
BuildingEnergy NYC Conference
When: Wednesday & Thursday, September 29 & 30, 2021
Format: Online
About: NESEA’s BuildingEnergy NYC conference is designed by and for practitioners in the fields of high-performance building and design, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and building/energy policy.
“A day of intense energy nerd bliss.”
Learn more about BuildingEnergy NYC
AEE World
When: Wednesday – Friday, October 20 – 22, 2021
Format: New Orleans, LA
About: Key energy issues, energy-efficient solutions, new energy initiatives, and developments in clean energy technologies.
Learn more about AEE World
ACEEE Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change
When: Sunday – Wednesday, November 7 – 10, 2021
Format: TBD
About: The Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference (BECC) is the premier international conference focused on understanding human behavior and decision making and using that knowledge to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. Currently, in its 14th year, BECC is associated with a growing set of allied conferences in Europe and Asia.
Learn more about the ACEEE Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change Conference
Thanks for reading! Did we miss any good energy and sustainability conferences on our list? Send us a message. ?
