Green Awards for Festivals -we aren't there! Ahem organisers
| Malcolm Blackmore |
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Thu 21 Apr 2011, 14:55 http://www.juliesbicycle.com/about-jb/news/1028,Press+Release%3A+Julie%E2%80%99s+Bicycle+Announce+New+Industry+Green+Awards.html%3E Watch out for the line break. Julie?s Bicycle, the not-for-profit organisation working with the creative industries to support environmental sustainability, has announced the award of their prestigious Industry Green (IG) certificates to fourteen UK music festivals. These pioneering festivals are: * Big Chill The IG certification scheme recognises evidenced commitment to understanding, measuring, improving and communicating environmental initiatives with an emphasis on lowering carbon emissions year on year. IG certifications are awarded on a 1 to 3 star basis, with 3 stars being the highest award. Shambala is the first festival to receive 3 star IG certification. The festival, run on almost 100% renewable energy, has proven reductions of 63% in its primary emissions from 2009 - 2010, and is commended for its innovative approach to sustainability including locally sourced and ethical food, 100% FSC certified construction timber used on site, research into audience attitude towards sustainability, an offsetting scheme offered to those driving by car to the festival; and a sustainability checklist for suppliers applying for festival tenders. Of the fourteen festivals, four have been awarded 2 star IG: Lovebox Weekender, Isle of Wight Festival, TRUCK and Wood. Lovebox achieved CO2e emissions reductions of 38% between 2009 ? 2010, despite almost doubling ticket sales in the same year. The Isle of Wight Festival made reductions of 22% due to improvements to audience travel emissions and have successfully restored bee populations to the island with their Let it Bee campaign. TRUCK decreased its emissions by 10% and have been encouraging audiences to travel green through subsidised bus travel and rewards for cyclists. Its smaller sibling, Wood is the first UK festival to go fossil fuel free, and is aiming to be 100% renewably powered within the next three years. Wood managed to decrease biodiesel demand by 30% from 2009 ? 2010 despite audience numbers almost doubling, and promoted sustainable living with composting toilets, showers heated by wood-burning stove and a solar-powered stage. Eight festivals have been developing ?baselines? for 2010 and are implementing strategies for 2011 festivals. Together they are committing to a range of sustainability initiatives, many of which are new. These festivals all achieved 1 star in 2010 Examples of initiatives range across staff and audiences campaigns, recycling, public transport, locally-sourced merchandise and food, renewable and low carbon energy, and reduced water and landfill waste. IG provides the festivals with a common framework that means Julie?s Bicycle can develop the first industry average benchmarks working with this pioneering group of festivals. They also join a host of other creative companies across music and performing arts which are leading the cultural response to climate change by becoming IG certified. These initiatives and achievements send clear messages from a community of influential organisations to the rest of the creative industries (and wider audience of artists and fans) about the importance of building a sustainable, low-carbon future for the creative industries. Alison Tickell, Director of Julies Bicycle said: 'The challenge of reducing impacts while growing the business is being tackled head on by this brave group of festivals, It?s not always comfortable to put the green brand to the test. This group of festivals are doing it for real.' Chris Johnson, Director, Kambe Events said: 'Finally there is a credible approach to benchmarking and assessing sustainable practice in the events sector. We think the Ig is worthwhile - its robust, but easy to use for promoters, and importantly, it places an emphasis on continual improvement.' |