As one of the world's largest outdoor gatherings, Glastonbury Festival is totally committed to reducing carbon emissions ‐ and to raising awareness of what can be done to help combat climate change.
Onsite composting On‐site Recycling Pollution aware Green police Greenfields On‐site water reservoirs Nearby sewage treatment Promoting public transport: Bio‐tractors running on bio‐diesel from recycled vegetable oil New solar array Love the Farm – leave No Trace
One of the many visible on‐site activities to promote green awareness Messages include Use the toilets Use the recycling bins Use the ‘butt’ bins
Oxfam campaign that asked people to paint their face blue and join the growing global movement of people determined to take action on climate change. Big success at festivals in 2009
Ticket holders who arrive at the Festival by public transport or bicycle will be given a Green Traveller lanyard, offering: Vouchers for discounts on main meals Solar showers, solely provided for Green Travellers Access to compost toilets Discount on a Festival T‐ shirt
Aim was to get 40,000+ people on coaches and trains – nearly a third of festival goers Also promoted lift share and cycling Glastonbury actually achieved a reduction in cars driven to the site in 2011 (a sell out festival)
4,500 less cars Coach travel up from 13,050 to 19,578 people 500 cycled Overall 42,000 people used public transport, up from 32,200 in 2010 Aim for 2000 cyclists at next Festival
Glastonbury Festival has always been the first to host “alternative” solutions to environmental concerns, and over time, we’ve watched as those “alternatives” have become mainstream. In fact, to me, one of the greatest benefits of Glastonbury Festival has been in giving people the chance to “open their eyes” and see something better, even if it is only for one weekend in the year. We hope that we can continue to lead the way by making Glastonbury as green and as sustainable as we are able to, given the restrictions of the site, and also by spreading the word to Festival goers about what will really make a difference to the environment.
The Greener Festival Awards scheme Green Insurance Scheme Ongoing research Great Big Green ideas Database DVD Festival Harvest 2010 and 2011 Conferences & training The Website
53 point checklist Self Assessment Independent Audit Supporting documents First awarded to 16 festivals in 2007, 32 Awards made in 2008, 37 in 2009, 47 in 2010 and 46 IN 2011 UK, Europe, North America and Australia
Event Management Office & admin Travel & transport Energy use Greenhouse gases Green initiatives Waste & recycling Water management The environment Noise
The Awards attract a significant level of press interest. This can be generated by festivals themselves.
We also receive press on a national level, in music industry trade press and even on an international level through organisations such as the BBC and the Discovery Channel.
UK newspapers regularly run features
www.agreenerfestival.com www.virtualfestivals.com.
With Virtual Festivals.com Prizes from music industry – two or three very good “goodie” bags Very good response! sugar and sauce sachets, travel ideas, food waste ideas Also some mad ones – like banning clothes at festivals (no washing, everyone is cool!)
The insurance scheme set up with Robertson Taylor Insurance Brokers Up to 12.5% discount on public liability and employers liability insurance for ‘green’ events Must sign up to at least 5 of the 16 initiatives we have approved
A new scheme now supported by the Big Green Coach Company to plant a woodland area in the United Kingdom Can donate by text BGCC donate two trees for each coach sent to a UK festival – 1100 tress in 2011
Best of British Emerging Talent – 28 new bands Involved talent bookers at six festivals including Glastonbury Festival and T‐in‐the‐Park Packaged in card – no jewel case – a 90% reduction in carbon footprint manufactured by our sponsor DMS IG mark awarded by Julies Bicycle, signifying reduced CO2 emissions UK Festival Awards
With the Bestival, Isle of Wight and Glastonbury festivals to focus on “left behind” TENTS LOVE YOUR TENT Also looking at practical solutions – RE‐TENT – a “passport” stamp for festival goers on their tent
“Hmm. Could this be
the moment when the backlash starts? It is, after all, a scientifically verifiable fact there is nothing in this world more annoying than being lectured by a pop star”
Growing numbers of artists and bands are deeply concerned about climate change and are keen to do the right thing. Yet the pervasive belief that celebrity ‘endorsement’ of climate change is the best way of getting the message across is ripe for challenging. It places an extraordinary burden on artists and songwriters, and is fraught with potential for accusations of ‘Green Wash’ (Alison Tickell)
John Mayer had not signed Gore’s seven‐point Live Earth pledge. "If you want to peg me as not being entirely eco‐friendly, you'll win" Events total carbon footprint minimum of 74,500 tonnes CO2
“Hypocrite: Eco‐ warrior Sting and the Police top list of bands with worst carbon footprint”
Glastonbury's Michael Eavis famously said that if a festival was to be green, it wouldn't happen, but then we would miss out on all the wonderful experiences they have to offer.