A Sustainable Royal Pageant
Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant took place on Sunday 5th June 2022, telling the story of The Queen's 70-year reign and our transforming society.The Platinum Jubilee Pageant set out to achieve excellence in inclusivity, accessibility, diversity, environmental sustainability, creativity and celebration. A Greener Festival were involved from the very beginning of the project providing sustainability leadership and consultancy services as well as an in-depth carbon analysis of the organisation's emissions.AGF are delighted to share highlights of the positive sustainability actions and recommendations delivered through our work with the Jubilee Pageant over the last year. Sustainability highlights are provided below, and the full Executive Summary can be found here.Sustainability Highlights12,500 water bottles avoided though reusable bottles and water refill usage.0 Waste to landfill.Maximum mains power usage and 100% renewable diesel used in all event generators.100% carbon emissions removed using durable afforestation, soil carbon storage, cross-laminated timber for construction, high grade biochar, enhanced weathering and direct air capture.2600 surplus meals collected and donated to local communities100% Plant Based food for performers and crew.100% compostable serveware.24.14 tonnes CO2e avoided (a reduction of 25.9% of event production emissions), through multiple avoidance strategies.Social Outreach Highlights19 Schools from 15 locations and 615 children engaged in creative projects 44 Schools and 516 children took part in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) challenge to create an environmentally friendly sustainable street party celebration for EDT Industrial Cadets.A partnership with Creative Access ensured we focused on inclusive recruitment to support a more representative, accessible and inclusive creative economy. We provided 6 internships within key pageant departments.Sustainability Policy & Framework HighlightsAGFs Greener Event Framework was applied to drive commitments across all aspects of the event.A Pageant Sustainability Policy to reflect the values and intentions of the organisation and event.Ecological and human impacts considered for all material use.Biodiversity impact assessments and bat surveys in the local area.A no domestic flight policy was implemented for all pre-production staff.Implementation of ambitious Food & Beverage Sustainability Charter.Focus on health & wellbeing through multiple environmental and social programmes.Equality Diversity, and Inclusion Policies and Survey.Key RecommendationsEnsure sustainability is considered at the earliest opportunity and embedded in every aspect of the event.Build partnerships with local agencies (transport, councils etc) who have shared sustainable and low carbon ambitions.Take a lifecycle approach to material usage, understanding what can be reused, recycled, and planning for items afterlife.Focus on those activities that are expected to have the most greenhouse gas emissions.Implement systems to capture data and inform decision making throughout and beyond the event.Develop strong policy framework and communications plans.Extend sustainability strategies through to contractors, exhibitors, artist and performers through contractual obligations.