#InTheNews: AGF's Latest Sustainability Updates
Hello sustainability champions!
Welcome to our latest roundup of green goodness from A Greener Future and beyond. In this edition, we're diving into our recent accomplishments, from the outcomes of Assessor Training to mentions in the press, including our part in dropping a 500 tonnes of carbon during “The 1975” gigs at O2.
Plus, we'll be taking a peek at the latest sustainability reports from festivals, we were assessing in 2023, highlighting the strides they've made towards a greener future. Stay tuned as we introduce you to our newest green-minded members, adding even more power to our sustainability squad.
So, grab your favourite eco-friendly mug and let's get down to business!
Reflecting on the amazing turnout at last week's AGF Assessor Training
Reflecting on the amazing turnout at last week's AGF Assessor Training! A big shoutout to all the attendees for their enthusiasm towards event sustainability. A heartfelt thank you to our fantastic host, Oxford Brookes University!
This 2-day intensive course has been developed drawing upon A Greener Future’s 18 years as industry leaders helping events around the world to become more sustainable. The course is designed to take participants through key environmental impacts created by events, current solutions, and good practice. It's perfect for event professionals, local authorities, academics, and those wishing to become Assessors for AGF.
Did you miss the in-person training?
No worries! You can still sign up for our online AGF Assessor training, taking place on Monday 3rd of June.
O2 REMOVES 500+ TONNES OF CARBON DURING THE 1975 GIGS
Source: IQ Magazine, image © Luke Dyson
At A Greener Future, our commitment to sustainability continues to capture attention, as evidenced by our recent mentions in the press. We're thrilled to share our part in dropping 500 tonnes of carbon during the 1975 gigs at O2, a testament to our dedication to environmental initiatives within the entertainment industry, which was shared in IQ Magazine
The O2 in London has announced that more than 545.9 tonnes of carbon were extracted across The 1975’s four headline concerts in February. The shows marked the world’s first carbon-removed arena events and took place in collaboration with carbon removal experts CUR8 and our sustainable event specialists at A Greener Future. Using a portfolio of “scientifically verifiable” carbon removal methods (including enhanced rock weathering and biochar), The O2 (owned by AEG Europe) and CUR8 physically extracted the 136.46 tonnes of carbon generated by each event from the atmosphere and durably stored it out of harm’s way.
Well, here are the official results of this impactful collaboration between AEG Europe, CUR8, and us at A Greener Future - Read more here.
Further commenting on the results, Mark Stevenson, co-founder and chief impact officer at CUR8 said:
“The real heroes here are the teams at AEG Europe and A Greener Future, who are working to reduce emissions as much as possible and then committing to remove the rest – and in doing so, helping fund the carbon removals operating system that the planet (and every organization on it) will need to reach net-zero. Importantly, The O2 and A Greener Future have demonstrated the art of the possible.”
In 2023, notable festivals like Forwards and We Love Green made significant strides towards a greener future, as highlighted in their sustainability reports.
FORWARDS 2023 SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT REPORT
FORWARDS, known for its dedication to sustainability, released its latest 2023 sustainability report. The report showcased the festival's commitment to environmental stewardship, outlining efforts to minimise its carbon footprint, promote recycling and waste management, and engage with the local community. FORWARDS' sustainability initiatives were met with praise, with the report serving as a testament to its ongoing commitment to a more sustainable event industry.
In their sustainability report, FORWARDS expressed their goal to play a valuable role in implementing forward-thinking changes and initiatives that support local businesses, the creative industries and wider society to take action on the climate change emergency already in motion. They aspire to have a lasting positive impact, harnessing the power of live events to bring people together for incredible music moments and inspire change.
A quote from the report emphasizes their commitment:
“We recognise that our event will inevitably have an impact on the environment. However, our ambition is to mitigate these impacts, innovate, and ultimately protect our local environment and festival spaces so that future generations can experience them.”
We Love Green - CARBON FOOTPRINT REPORT
We Love Green Festival places a strong emphasis on balancing cultural and social impact with minimal environmental impact at each edition. In 2023, after nearly a year of work, the festival was able to quantify its impact through its Carbon Footprint report.
Refining calculations, setting requirements for suppliers and artists to provide data, and seeking guidance from AGF resulted in a reliable outcome: the 2023 Carbon Balance amounted to 10 kg CO2e per festival attendee, compared to 14.6 kg CO2e in 2022.
The transition to a 100% vegetarian offering played a significant role in this reduction, with catering emissions decreasing by over six times from the previous year. The Carbon Footprint report, conducted with AGF's guidance, details methodologies, results, observations and analyses.
Moreover, it outlines a plan of action for ongoing improvement, including a biodiversity study launched in February 2024 to measure the festival's impact on the surrounding environment.
Welcome our new member
We're delighted to welcome Event Wine Solution as our newest member! Event Wine Solutions’ commitment to its products’ quality, diversity, and sustainability has been at the heart of its ethos for 10 years. Read more about them in our special blog post.
Interested in learning more about AGF membership, its benefits and the different types available?
Head over to our membership page for more information!
That's a wrap for today's sustainability news roundup! Remember to follow our social media channels for the latest updates and stay tuned for exciting projects on the horizon.
Together, let's keep pushing boundaries and creating a greener future.
Until next time!
