Tara Shine

Dr Tara Shine is an environmental scientist, policy advisor and science communicator who translates complex climate science into practical action for leaders, organisations and communities. As CEO and co-founder of the award-winning social enterprise Change by Degrees, she advises governments, multilateral agencies and civil society organisations on sustainability strategy, most recently contributing to Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2026. Having negotiated for the EU at the United Nations and presented the prestigious Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on BBC4, Tara combines high-level policy expertise with engaging public communication. Her sessions empower audiences to understand their role in climate solutions and equip them with tangible steps to drive meaningful environmental change within their spheres of influence.

Dr Tara Shine stood at the negotiating table for the European Union at the United Nations, shaping global climate agreements that would affect millions of lives. Over two decades, she has built a career at the intersection of environmental science, international policy and public engagement, working to ensure that climate action is grounded in both scientific evidence and social justice. From advising on Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2026 to co-facilitating the Structured Expert Dialogue under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, she has consistently translated complex environmental challenges into workable solutions for governments, organisations and communities. Her ability to move between high-level policy forums and grassroots initiatives reflects a rare combination of technical expertise and practical communication skills that make climate science accessible and actionable.

As CEO and co-founder of the award-winning social enterprise Change by Degrees, Tara leads a team providing sustainability advice to governments, multilateral agencies and civil society organisations including the Mary Robinson Foundation for Climate Justice and The Elders Foundation. Her academic foundation, a PhD in Geography and a BSc in Environmental Science from Ulster University, underpins her work as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the International Institute of Environment and Development. Beyond boardrooms and policy documents, she has become a trusted voice in science communication, presenting the prestigious Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on BBC4 in 2020 and wildlife documentaries for the BBC, RTÉ and Channel 4, including the series A Wild Irish Year. She is also the author of How to Save Your Planet One Object at a Time, published by Simon & Schuster, and co-founded Plastic Free Kinsale, a community initiative that has mobilised a town of 5,000 people and reached half a million people through social media to reduce single-use plastics.

Tara's sessions equip audiences with the clarity and confidence to act on climate challenges within their own spheres of influence. She helps leaders understand the long-term vision required for sustainable decision-making and provides organisations with practical frameworks to embed environmental responsibility into their operations. Whether addressing corporate teams, policy-makers or public audiences, she connects the urgency of climate science with tangible steps that individuals and institutions can take immediately. Her approach demystifies sustainability, showing audiences that meaningful change begins with informed choices and collective action. Participants leave her presentations not only understanding the scale of environmental challenges but also empowered with the tools, knowledge and motivation to contribute to solutions that create lasting impact for their organisations, communities and the planet.