There’s no doubt that festival season is already here, but while many of us are going out to see our favorite artists, are organizers making sure that such events don’t have a negative impact on the environment?
According to a recent study conducted through the non-profit organization A Greener Future at more than 40 festivals across Europe, significant innovations in sustainability have been observed.
The study shows that festival bans on single-use plastic food items increased from 54% in 2022 to 75% in 2023, with nearly two-thirds (60%) having a reusable cup formula last year.
He also highlighted the significant impact of travel and transportation, and the fact that food and beverages are the second-largest source of emissions after public transportation.
In an interview, the CEO and co-founder of A Greener Future, Claire O’Neill, said that the demanding sustainability situations we face on the most occasions are the big problems facing society as a whole, adding food, shipping and energy.
He added that the trend toward sustainability has intensified in recent years as regulations, investment demands, and businesses place more emphasis on the environment.
“One thing that’s helping a lot is the way vocal artists approach sustainability,” O’Neill told me.
“If a featured artist imposes a safe point of sustainability on a festival, it can have a huge impact. “
He explained that many music festivals started out as small events, which in the past sold select ideas, such as environmental protection.
“If you organize a festival, you create a gathering of other people that can be a catalyst for change,” he added.
“At this vital time, there are so many things to replace and fix, but festivals can show positive and forward-looking opportunities for what life can be. “
One of the most sustainable concepts is the idea of incentivizing festival-goers to generate the electrical energy needed to celebrate the event by dancing with smart kinetic earth technology.
Laurence Kemball-Cook is the founder and CEO of the British company Pavegen, which offers smart flooring technology that can convert dance steps and steps into kinetic force to force events or entertainment facilities.
Pavegen recently built a 39-square-metre formula for a UEFA Champions League event at Trafalgar Square (pictured) in London, fronted by British drum and bass band Rudimental.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Rudimentary functionality in Trafalgar Square on the second day of the Championship of Champions. . . [ ] Festival ahead of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF on May 31, 2024 in London, England. (Photo via Eamonn McCormack – UEFA/UEFA Getty Images)
In an interview, Kemball-Cook said the facility drew more than 6,000 people who danced at the event and helped force Rudimental’s microphone and DJ booth.
“Our participation in the UEFA Champions Festival was a phenomenal success, it’s so simple, you just have to dance to generate energy with our technology,” he told me.
“To feel the power and excitement of the crowd and to see Pavegen in action, helping to put on such an iconic event, was truly inspiring,” he added.
“We are proud to partner with UEFA and Rockstar Energy to demonstrate how cutting-edge responses can foster grid sustainability and engagement. “
The kinetic generation of the ground has also made its impression at a wide variety of events, including Coldplay concerts and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
“There’s no question that governments, municipalities, and the public are very aware of the environmental impact of primary events,” Kemball-Cook told me.
“And we know that with this vast decarbonization program, it’s only a matter of time before each and every occasion in the world becomes climate positive. “
Of course, not all festivals take advantage of kinetic platforms for energy. In many cases, live events rely on electric power generators, many of which rely on fossil fuels.
Andreas Sedlmayr, co-founder and co-CEO of German cellular energy company Instagrid, said in an interview that classic diesel or gas turbines for an hour can generate exhaust emissions equivalent to a 250-kilometer trip with a regular car. an internal combustion engine.
Sedlmayr said that traditionally turbines were placed far away at events, as they can be noisy and generate destructive fumes, but this means that more infrastructure needs to be implemented.
But he added that portable battery-powered force materials can be used closer to stages and where live events are needed, meaning fewer cables and fewer health and safety hazards for festival-goers.
Sedlmayr said battery-based strength materials are also much quieter and popular with consumers, who want to see more environmentally friendly festivals.
“There are still a lot of myths about batteries: they’re safe,” Sedlmayr says.
“People just want to see that there’s a greater chance of painting and generating electricity,” he added.
“Tesla has shown the world that you can go electric without compromise and that’s necessarily what we need to repeat with smaller portable batteries that are best for live events and the entertainment industry. “
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