Festivals Striving for More Sustainable Rock Experiences

Hannah Love, a devoted festival enthusiast

She traces her festival journey back to the Sidmouth Folk Festival, attended by her mother when she was eight months pregnant with Hannah. Now, as a mother of three and an expert in baby sleep and parenting, Love prioritizes festivals over traditional holidays. The allure for her lies not only in the diverse acts and activities but also in the values a festival embodies.

Festival choices are guided by family-friendliness, with Wilderness being a top pick for its blend of woodland crafts, swimming, quality headline acts, and a secure environment for her children. More than just entertainment, Love notes the importance of festivals aligning with values such as sustainability. She argues that Attending festivals leaves a smaller carbon footprint than international travel, a consideration gaining traction across the festival industry.

However, the environmental impact of festivals is a growing concern. The substantial electricity consumption, often from generators running on fossil fuels, poses a challenge. A Greener Future’s research reveals that the UK festival community consumes over 12 million liters of diesel annually. Transport emissions further contribute to the environmental footprint.

Festival organizers are taking steps to address these issues. Glastonbury Festival, for instance, introduced a 20-meter wind turbine to power selected stalls, and other festivals are investing in greener energy options such as solar power and battery storage.

Chris Johnson, co-founder of the Shambala festival, emphasizes the need for a cultural shift. Shambala has adopted eco-friendly measures like serving only vegan and vegetarian food and sourcing power through sustainable means. Johnson stresses the importance of reducing energy demand and collaborating with all stakeholders, including food traders, to achieve this goal.

Internationally, Mysteryland in the Netherlands has made strides by generating 80% of its power through nearby solar panels and connecting to the national grid.

While the European Green roadmap urges the phasing out of non-renewable energy sources, Claire O’Neill from A Greener Future emphasizes the need for festivals to establish grid connections, despite the associated costs. Additionally, addressing transport emissions becomes crucial, with O’Neill suggesting a collaboration between festival organizers and transport providers.

The festival industry’s progress towards sustainability primarily relies on voluntary actions, with limited regulatory oversight. As festivals increasingly tout their green initiatives, regulatory scrutiny on environmental claims has heightened, urging organizers to ensure the legitimacy of their sustainability efforts.