SEPTEMBER | FEATURE
The direction of travel for live events
Bethan Riach , project manager at ecolibrium , a charity that supports the live events industry to tackle emissions from travel , outlines where travel fits into a Net Zero strategy . She shares examples of best practice from event organisers who are leading the way in cutting carbon emissions from audience travel ; which is often an events ’ greatest environmental impact
In October 2021 the UK Government published its Net Zero Strategy , setting out a plan to meet the legally binding climate goals laid out in the 2015 Paris Agreement : To keep the rise in global temperature to well below 2 ° C above pre-industrial levels , and preferably limit the increase to no more than 1.5 ° C .
The UK ’ s current Net Zero Strategy recognises that global carbon emissions need to be reduced by at least 68 % by 2030 on 1990 levels , and reach Net Zero by 2050 . The term Net Zero refers to net zero carbon emissions . Getting to Net Zero means reducing carbon emissions as far as possible and removing emissions that can ’ t be avoided or reduced .
Although the Government ’ s plan for reaching Net Zero has been criticised , in fact , announced as unlawful in July 2022 in a High Court ruling , there is no doubt that we will all benefit if we can reach Net Zero and create a strategy that does what it ’ s supposed to in delivering a decarbonised economy , liveable climate and healthy planet . If we don ’ t succeed , the future is very bleak indeed .
Why should live events work towards Net Zero targets ? Everyone in the live events industry , from event organisers to venues , artists , suppliers and music companies have a responsibility to acknowledge and reduce their environmental impacts . Research shows that audiences too now expect events to be taking action .
Some 83 % of festival-goers expect all of the festivals they attend to tackle their environmental impacts , according to CGA research .
Although Net Zero emissions goals are set for 2050 , the real point is having a plan to reduce emissions year on year . What ’ s important is setting the shorter-term goals that will ensure that action starts now , and final targets aren ’ t endlessly delayed . It ’ s also worth noting that Net Zero is not the only sustainability strategy in town , and we must also consider pollution and social justice in our operations , food sourcing and procurement .
How can events go about setting targets ? Measuring emissions is the first step , then avoiding and reducing emissions , and finally carbon offsetting unavoidable emissions by planting trees , using technology like carbon capture and storage , or working with projects that increase positive impacts for people and planet . Ecolibrium works with climate solutions partners whose projects offer our members carbon balancing and verified carbon offsets ; via support for communityled renewable energy generation , and
ecosystem protection and restoration .
What emissions should events measure ? We can look to the Greenhouse Gas ( GHG ) Protocol to know what measure ; this categorises which carbon impacts a company is responsible for according to scope . Scope 1 and 2 describe activity that a company can directly control and scope 3 include activities that the company can only indirectly influence .
For years , it has been customary for businesses to report and acknowledge scope 1 and 2 emissions and include these in reduction strategies . For large UK and European organisations , it ’ s mandatory to report scope 1 and 2 emissions and now encouraged to report scope 3 under legislation .
This diagram on the following page shows typical scope 1 , 2 and 3 emissions for events .
In terms of travel at events :
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