SPRING | OPINION
A Greener Future for the Live Sector
In troubling times , Claire O ’ Neill , CEO at live events sustainability consultancy A Greener Future calls on individuals and organisations to help forge positive change
Starting with the good news - the green transition will increase resilience and bring cost savings . Reducing waste , energy use , risks ( including insurability ), adapting to and preventing extreme weather are all no brainers . For example , in our investment grade energy audits with venues we find most energy saving equipment upgrades pay back within a year and then make savings . The bonus , for each kWh saved CO2 is saved .
The less than rosy backdrop is the extremely challenging times we face during this transition . The aftershock of Covid , skills shortages , Brexit , rising energy costs , all threatening the continuation of business at all , let alone a greener way . Globally , hideous treatment and slaughter of huge groups of people ; a 70 % loss of biodiversity in 50 years ; increasing emissions , temperature rises ; and culture wars feeding polarisation . There is understandably an air of collective existential crisis .
2024 is a year of pivotal elections . Governments have the power to make a green , just , economic transition succeed or fail . Whilst we have work to do to get our house in order , to curb our emissions , we more than ever have to use our privilege , platform and creativity .
What is urgently needed now is to counter division and misinformation using our powerful voice . The # JustVote24 apolitical campaign is an important vehicle promoting and encouraging more diverse voices to be heard . There are obstacles preventing young people from voting in the UK . # JustVote24 guides people through the voter ID process using competition entry as an incentive . We are calling on everyone who can to provide prizes , communication channels and screen space to promote this to get marginalised unheard voices in our country to stand up and be counted .
Practically , we are deep into green energy finding ways to support the sector to reduce consumption , costs , and fossil fuels . We launched the Low Emission Festivals project with Ecotricity , LIVE and AIF and to gather insight from power providers and events about their relationship and
Claire O ' Neill culture of energy within events , plus current usage , wastage and potential savings . Preliminary research results will be shared at GEI16 .
For temporary power spaces the Grid Faeries project provides investment and technical support to install grid connections into regularly used event sites , eliminating or reducing the need for generators . For the built environment , there are opportunities afoot for the “ top ” of the sector to support the grassroots through investment into the green transition , allowing for cost savings across the board as well as emissions reductions . We are working closely with Ecotricity and UK associations to increase renewable capacity in the UK and make clean energy available for everyone through the National Grid .
In addition to transforming energy and taking on “ the man ”, organisations need to measure , monitor and report . This will be a legal requirement , directly or as a part of the supply chain . AGF is renewing and expanding the AGF Framework of our certifications , to reach more organisations than ever before . Get signed up for an AGF Assessment and site visit , including your CO2 footprint as well as biodiversity and social impacts and actions . 2024 will be a year of collaboration , metric and reporting standardisation , and increased engagement which will lead to actions at scale that can transform our sector for the better .
Finally , do not miss the Green Events & Innovations Conference ( GEI16 ), 27 February , Royal Lancaster London . Organised by AGF and ILMC , the foremost conference for sustainability in live is packed with inspiring speakers including Brian Eno , Jarvis Cocker , Fay Milton ( MDE ), Dale Vince ( Ecotricity ), Blaine Harrison ( Mystery Jets ).
15