Sustainable Cities Festival drives east London innovation
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Published
10 March 2026
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The Sustainable Cities Festival returned for its third year at the Royal Docks, bringing together local government, employers, founders, students and community partners to explore one central question: how do we build cities that are not just greener, but fairer and more inclusive? Hosted by the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS) and sponsored by Hover Energy, the festival focused on skills, sustainable enterprise and community-led change.
The three-day festival opened with remarks from the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, setting a clear message: sustainability must deliver real benefits for local people. Panels and case studies explored how inclusive talent strategies can create pathways into green jobs across east London, with universities, employers and community organisations working side by side. That focus came to life at the Careers Fair, where students and residents spoke directly with employers including Siemens, RSK Group, SWECO, Morgan Sindall and Tesla. Short career talks ran throughout the afternoon, offering practical advice on building careers in areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy and sustainable construction.
Day two of the festival shifted the focus to enterprise and innovation. From early-morning business briefings to funding workshops and pitch sessions, founders explored how to build viable ventures that also tackle climate and social challenges. Sessions on investment readiness and emissions reduction highlighted a growing reality: sustainability is no longer a niche; it is becoming a core business strategy. The pitch session captured the energy of the day, with founders sharing bold ideas rooted in circular economy thinking, clean energy and community-led solutions, while conversations around collaboration and local ecosystems underscored that innovation thrives when it is rooted in place.
On the final day, the festival moved beyond campus and into the Royal Docks, where site tours showcased circular construction approaches and place-based regeneration in action. Community workshops gave people the chance to take part directly, from repair and reuse to local enterprise and wealth building. It was a reminder that sustainable cities are not built through policy alone; they are shaped through lived experience, local knowledge and long-term partnerships.
Reflecting on the festival, Robert de Jong, Director of the RDCS, said,
Sustainable Cities Festival 2026 has shown what’s possible when skills, enterprise, and communities come together. The creativity, collaboration, and energy we’ve seen here demonstrate that east London is leading the way in building cities that are not just greener, but fairer and more inclusive.”
Across the festival, one theme stood out: skills unlock pathways, start-ups drive transformation, and communities shape change. Sustainable Cities Festival 2026 demonstrated what is possible when universities, local government, businesses and residents work together with a shared purpose. At UEL, the focus remains clear: sustainability must connect to opportunity, create real pathways, and reflect the communities it serves. The conversations may have ended, but the work continues across the Royal Docks and east London.
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