Festivals and indoor and outdoor events generate huge amounts of waste and high carbon emissions. An increasing number of festivals are becoming aware of the problem and are committed to achieving their goals concerning resource-efficient organisation and execution. For example, they are making more organic, regional, vegetarian and vegan food and drink options available, and the cost of taking public transport is included in the festival ticket.
Initiatives from Switzerland and abroad
- Vert le Futur is committed to a sustainable cultural and events industry for Switzerland.
- Europe Experience: GEX is a network of four festivals and two NGOs that have joined forces to co-create the future of climate-neutral outdoor events in a three-year ‘living lab’.
- The Green Music Initiative is a platform for promoting an environmentally friendly music and entertainment industry. Its aim is to reduce carbon emissions and negative environmental impacts in all areas.
- On greentouring.net, you’ll find a wealth of information about sustainable measures for concerts, festivals and events.
- Climate-neutral events guide: GRÜNE LIGA Berlin has developed a practical guide for climate-neutral events. The idea is to provide event organisers with a handy catalogue of actions that will support them in organising more sustainable events.
- A Greener Fête de la Musique: Berlin’s annual Fête de la Musique has developed a guide that provides tips and recommendations with practicality in mind, arranged according to areas of activity. It also has a checklist for a greener festival.
- How-To Festival: The How-To Festival handbook by ImPuls Brandenburg e.V. is a helpful guide for navigating the festival organisation jungle. Also available is a collection of material that provides useful documents to help with organising your own festival.
- Décarbonons la culture ! The French The Shift Project’s interim report takes a look at different cultural sectors, including live events (spectacles vivants) from page 41.
Couldn’t find what you were looking for?
We’re currently working on this page. In the meantime, visit our Film page for plenty of recommendations and measures that apply across industries. The checklists from the film industry will certainly help you make your work more environmentally sustainable.
Got experience in the festivals and events industry, as well as an interest in sustainability?
Do you work in the festivals and events sector? Are you interested in more sustainable production methods and would you like to contribute to the development of this website’s content? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We’d be happy to include your practical knowledge on our website.