A Vision : 2025 survey of festival organisers in 2021 signalled an increase in carbon footprint measuring , reporting that more local authorities were asking event organisers for environmental performance information . Encouragingly , and despite the challenges of that year , 20 % of events reported putting in place new sustainability measures . The most common new measures were implementing new recycling protocols , or working with specific suppliers to improve sustainability . One in 10 events used reusable cups for the first time , another step toward reusables becoming the norm for larger events .
Where are we now ? There are significant movements in the supply chain . Battery units , to reduce energy and fuel consumption , are now a reliable and competitively priced option offered by an increasing number of power companies . The fuel price hike has focussed minds on fuel reduction strategies : knowing what energy is required in advance , planning efficient systems and demand management , along with new tech solutions , are essential .
Interesting things are happening around food , which has increasingly become part of the line-up of events . There has been a movement toward provenance , but beyond locally sourced it ’ s a complex supply chain to understand and tackle . I think we might be on the verge of sea-changes , with festivals such as Shambala , Roskilde in Denmark , DGTL in The Netherlands , and Festival Republic events experimenting with food impact measurement and labelling .
Exciting me most , is the tangible interest and collaborative nature of climate action in our industry . New research projects and reports focussed on event sustainability are increasing ; such as Vision : 2025 Zero Waste Festivals , exploring waste challenges with leading consultancy Resource Futures . The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations ( CAST ) is currently researching live music audience attitudes to transport . LIVE Green is actively building a strategy and resources , and EarthPercent is mapping the sector ’ s sustainable landscape . A knowledge base is being built for and by our industry , and structural changes are happening that will enable live events to become a leader in climate action .
Perhaps one of the best expressions of this is the momentum behind the new Green Events Code for outdoor events – a clear , workable set of sustainability targets and standards , to be launched this October at the Sustainable Events Summit at The Showman ’ s Show . It represents a cross industry effort to establish measurable standards that are accessible to event organisers , supply chain and local authorities . Its aim is to create a level playing field across the UK , as opposed to a lottery of expectations , as authorities establish how events fit in with their climate and net-zero plans and targets .
The Future I ’ ve been repeating the word measurement for more than ten years but it boils down to us all measuring our environmental impacts , reporting and reducing – how else can we do this ? Imagine not having a financial budget .
Some events are starting to embrace Net Zero . It ’ s an interesting one : It ’ s both a useful and vital framework to reduce emissions , and it really isn ’ t the only game in town . We need to fully understand supply chain impacts from food , drink , and resources , such as pollution , worker welfare and habitat destruction .
We need to make the fundamental changes to the way we do things – reducing travel emissions , the transition to renewable energy and more plant-based diets , circular management of materials and new communications expertise to take audiences with us and inspire wider change .
The best way we can do this is collectively , by getting involved with the many industry initiatives and organisations represented in this special edition of AAA , that provide knowledge and services to support events to be greener .
We have a brief window to take meaningful action on climate , with dire consequences if we don ’ t . Our industry is about creating amazing experiences , and we are worldleading . Let ’ s apply this talent and determination to the future of the planet and all life , and we really might be able to say in 10 years that we really did make a difference – to the future of the human race .
“ Exciting me most , is the tangible interest and collaborative nature of climate action in our industry .”
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