AGF NEWS ROUNDUP - JULY
Welcome to our new #InTheNews blog post, where we share the latest updates and news from AGF.
Join us as we highlight key efforts and initiatives driving sustainability across various fields. Our CEO, Claire O'Neill, recently appeared on SonoSuite's Music Industry Coffee Break podcast to discuss the benefits of hybrid battery systems and sustainability in the music industry. Claire also serves as the Environmental Champion Trustee on the In Place of War Board, using creativity for positive change in conflict zones. Don't miss Claire's insights on Labour's electoral victory and her thoughts on green initiatives and community well-being in her recent interview.
Dr. Teresa Moore gave a keynote speech at The Event Educators Forum, emphasizing the importance of education in sustainable event management.
At the Rosendal Garden Party Festival, Jamal Chalabi discussed strategies for sustainable touring, showing our commitment to eco-friendly practices in live events.
Our partnership with AEG Europe at BST Hyde Park introduces initiatives to lower carbon footprints and reduce waste.
We also celebrate sustainable storytelling with our support for Nick Kelly's documentary, "The Song Cycle," which won Best Independent Film at the Galway Film Fleadh.
We are excited to support ADE Green, a conference where industry leaders will discuss topics like water management, climate justice, and accessibility in the music industry.
Finally, we’re asking you to use the "No Climate Action Without Us" toolkit at your festivals and live events this summer to identify where accessibility and sustainability initiatives could be better connected. We’d also like you to share your successes, challenges, and ideas for improvement to be included in an updated version of the toolkit due for release in early 2025.
Claire O'Neill's Pioneering Impact on Sustainability Across Industries
Our CEO, Claire O'Neill, was featured on a recent episode of SonoSuite's Music Industry Coffee Break podcast. In this engaging episode, Claire joined Co-Founder Maarten Van Wijck to discuss sustainability in the music industry and the transformative impact of hybrid battery systems on energy consumption.
Additionally, Claire has joined the In Place of War Board as their Environmental Champion Trustee. In Place of War is a global organisation that uses creativity in places of conflict as a tool for positive change.
In the article titled "Labour Election Victory Welcomed by Live Events Industry" by Christopher Barrett, Claire discussed the significance of Labour's electoral victory for environmental sustainability. She highlighted Labour's dedication to supporting the creative industries and promoting green initiatives, including their ambitious goal of achieving 100% renewable energy on the grid by 2030. Claire expressed optimism about the potential for positive changes in community, climate, biodiversity, and water quality under Labour's leadership.
“We have had 14 years of Tory misrule during which time community, climate, biodiversity, water quality, and the economy have been eroded…
I am pleased and confident in what Labour can now deliver with their support for the creative industries and commitment to the green economy. This is especially seen in the case of green energy, where they have a 2030 target for 100% renewable energy on the grid. That is huge.” - Claire O’Neill
For more details, you can read the full article here.
To cap off a busy month, Claire also spoke at the Wallifornia Music & Innovation Summit in Liège, Belgium, from 9th to 11th July. She joined a panel hosted by Félix Barros Ribalta (Evento Medido / Measurevent) with Maxime Faget to explore the future of sustainability in live music. Below are some pictures from the event, where Claire discussed creative strategies, innovative solutions, and the role of technology in fostering sector-wide sustainability transitions.
Dr. Teresa Moore's Keynote at The Event Educators Forum 2024
Dr. Teresa Moore, Director at A Greener Future, was a keynote speaker at The Event Educators Forum 2024, hosted from July 3rd to July 4th, 2024, at Sheffield Hallam University. This milestone event celebrated the 20th Anniversary of AEME (Association for Events Management Education) and was organized by Sheffield Hallam University's Events Management Team. The forum focused on "The Value of Events and Events Education," featuring insightful keynote talks, panel discussions, and presentations. Check out some snapshots from the event below
Jamal Chalabi's Insights on Sustainable Touring at Rosendal Garden Party
Recently, Jamal Chalabi, AGF's Head of Greener Tour, participated in a panel discussion on Massive Green Touring at the Rosendal Garden Party Festival. Alongside Linnéa Vagen Svensson, Sustainability Manager for Rosendal Garden Party, and Louise Lindén, Founder of LiveGreen Festivals & Academy, Jamal led a discussion on sustainable touring and festivals. They delved into ways to transform the music industry, promoting more sustainable tours and festivals, and emphasized the critical role of music events and artists in the climate justice movement.
Here are some highlights captured during the panel:
Photography: @fridayphotos.se
AGF's Sustainable Collaboration with AEG Europe at BST Hyde Park
A Greener Future is proud to collaborate with AEG Europe and Keep Britain Tidy on eco-friendly initiatives at BST Hyde Park. Together, measures include calculating the carbon footprint of each meal served and aiming for zero waste to landfill through biodiesel generators and batteries. Also launched is a new waste reduction program with portable ashtrays and an e-cigarette collect-and-recycle initiative. Attendees can track travel journeys via the Lowr platform to help mitigate the environmental impact of festival travel. Read more about these initiatives in this article: [link to article]
The Song Cycle: AGF's Support for Best Independent Film
We're thrilled to announce that Nick Kelly's documentary feature film, “The Song Cycle”, featuring AGF CEO Claire O'Neill, has been awarded Best Independent Film at the prestigious Galway Film Fleadh. This acclaimed film had its world premiere at Ireland’s leading film festival.
The documentary chronicles Nick Kelly’s inspiring journey by bicycle to perform at the Glastonbury Festival, capturing both idealistic and moving moments along the way.
Congratulations to Nick on this outstanding achievement!
AGF is proud to have supported the creation of this remarkable film.
Join ADE Green: Tickets Now Available
We’re proud to support ADE Green this year, the pioneering conference on sustainability and social change in the music industry. A first glimpse at the program reveals topics like water management, CSRD legislation, climate justice, sustainability standards, creative conservation, accessibility and inclusivity, and much more – we’re already looking forward!
Tickets for ADE Green are now available – join ADE Green to connect with leading minds and pioneers in sustainability, social change, and the music industry.
No Climate Action Without Us: Survey on Accessibility and Sustainability
In February 2024, Attitude is Everything, along with partners Julie’s Bicycle and A Greener Future, launched No Climate Action Without Us - a toolkit to help make disabled people’s access to live events and festivals more environmentally sustainable.
We’re asking you to use the toolkit at your festivals and live events this summer to identify where accessibility and sustainability initiatives could be better connected. We’d also like you to share your successes, challenges, and ideas for improvement to be included in an updated version of the toolkit due for release in early 2025.
Please fill out this short survey after your festival or event, and let us know how this toolkit helped you! The survey will close on Friday 27th September 2024.
And that wraps up our July updates and news from AGF!
We hope you've been inspired by our commitment to sustainability across various sectors. For the latest updates, be sure to follow us on our social media channels.
Stay tuned for more exciting developments!
