Why Music Festivals Need to
Be More Sustainable?
Music festivals are a time of celebration, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories. However, they also leave a lasting mark on the planet. Significant carbon emissions from attendees travelling to and from the event site are problematic. This impact threatens to overshadow music events’ positive experiences, making sustainable festivals a new standard.
Adopting eco-friendly practices in festival-goer commutes is essential. This will definitely ensure the festivals remain vibrant and sustainable. By addressing this aspect, we can transform music festivals into platforms for sustainability, setting a powerful example for other cultural events.
1.
The Environmental Impact
Of Music Festivals
Music festivals generate significant carbon emissions
As an organiser, it’s time for you to understand how significant your festival’s impact is and take responsibility and action. The festival’s contribution to environmental degradation mainly comes from the many attendees travelling to and from the event location. Most festivals are held outside urban areas, prompting attendees to use personal vehicles and significantly boosting carbon dioxide emissions.
According to the UK’s environmental impact report, 80% of a festival’s carbon footprint can be attributed to audience travel. One festival generates around 24,261 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is 1.9 kg of CO2 per person per day. These numbers represent a unique chance to distinguish your event by pioneering ways to reduce transportation carbon emissions.
The detrimental effects on local environments
As thousands of vehicles converge on festival sites, harmful emissions rise dramatically. This degrades air quality and poses health risks. Moreover, constant traffic generates substantial noise pollution, disrupting local residents and wildlife.
For example, Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival has faced criticism for the environmental impact of its massive influx of attendees. This led to concerns over air quality and the well-being of the local ecosystem. These examples highlight the pressing need for music festivals to adopt more sustainable practices to mitigate their negative effects on the environment.
Growing need for sustainable festivals
Festivals must address their environmental impact promptly to align with global climate goals, such as the Paris Agreement. As cultural events with significant public visibility, festivals have a unique role in setting an example for broader society. Adopting sustainable practices can inspire attendees and other event organisers to follow suit, amplifying their positive impact.
Growing climate change awareness among festival-goers means inaction could damage reputations and lose support from eco-conscious audiences. For example, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has faced increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability, reflecting a broader trend toward more eco-friendly events. As a response to the public’s pressure and criticism, the festival has become more engaged in sustainable practices, as you can read below.
2.
Sustainable Transportation
Solutions
Encouraging carpooling and
alternative means of transportation
As the organiser, you can change the narrative and make the events more environmentally friendly. But how can visitors choose sustainable transportation if they are not given any green choices? This is your chance to reinvent your festival by offering various alternatives to eco-hostile transportation. Encourage attendees to opt for eco-friendly options like carpooling, biking, and public transportation.
Carpooling in the context of music festivals is a relatively fresh concept. Still, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has successfully played the sustainable festival game for the last few years. They introduced shuttle services and carpooling incentives through an innovative Carpoolchella system, significantly reducing individual car use and associated emissions.
Leveraging technology for your festival sustainable transportation plan
Technological advancements can play a crucial role in making festivals more sustainable. Apps and online platforms can help attendees plan eco-friendly travel options. For instance, ride-sharing apps enable festival-goers to carpool, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and reducing emissions.
KINTO for Events is one such platform. Its mobility survey feature allows you to calculate emissions and provides your festival-goers with easy, sustainable, and safe transportation options. By integrating this and similar tech solutions, festivals can promote and facilitate greener travel, ensuring attendees contribute to a more sustainable event.
3.
The Benefits of Sustainable Festival
Practices
Enhancing the festival's reputation
Enhancing a festival’s reputation through sustainable practices can significantly improve its public image and attract environmentally conscious attendees. By implementing green initiatives such as carpooling programmes, your festival can showcase its commitment to environmental responsibility, appealing to a growing demographic of eco-aware consumers.
For example, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival‘s green initiatives, such as promoting carpooling, recycling programs and the Bonnaroo Work Fund, have earned praise and attracted a loyal, eco-conscious fan base. By prioritising sustainability, festivals can enhance their brand image and foster a dedicated community of attendees who value and support their efforts in creating green events.
Long-term cost savings
Although investing in sustainable infrastructure may have high initial costs, it can lead to significant long-term savings for your music festival. You can lower operational expenses over time by incorporating energy-efficient technologies, waste-reduction systems, and sustainable transportation options.
For instance, the Shambala Festival in the UK, known for its strong sustainability focus, has reported savings through different green practices. Considering the ever-growing gas price and parking management costs, investing in solving those issues can be financially beneficial. These examples demonstrate that while the upfront costs of sustainable practices may be substantial, the long-term financial benefits can make these investments worthwhile.
Contribution to global sustainability goals
By minimising its environmental footprint, your festival can support broader efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental stewardship. For example, festivals that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can address several key areas, such as responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), and life on land (SDG 15).
The Glastonbury Festival has implemented comprehensive recycling programs, reduced plastic usage, and promoted public transportation, directly contributing to these global objectives. Such initiatives help mitigate the festivals’ immediate environmental impact and set an example for other events and industries.
Conclusion
Making music festivals more sustainable, especially in transportation, is crucial to reducing their environmental impact. Sustainable transportation systems will cut carbon emissions, minimise environmental damage, reduce vehicle numbers, protect your brand, and attract new attendees and sponsors.
Adopting solutions like KINTO for Events and encouraging public transport or cycling can create eco-friendly events that inspire others. By working together, festival organisers and attendees can ensure that music festivals continue to flourish without compromising our planet’s health.