Room 1
Hosts: Claire O'Neill (A Greener Future / Grid Faeries), Madame Gandhi (Musician & Activist)

Join us to celebrate all those events that achieved certification in 2024, before presenting the International AGF Awards, in which we recognise those festivals, events, arenas, and suppliers that have made significant strides in sustainability. The top prize, the International Greener Festival Award, will crown the best of the best from 2024. Nominees are chosen through careful assessments, site visits, and analysis by trained auditors.

Room 1

Moderator: Cathy Runciman (EarthPercent)
Speakers: Moby (joining digitally), Declan McKenna, Jason Singh

For the fourth year running, EarthPercent Hour will invite a lineup of incredible speakers to the GEI stage to explore how music and culture can serve the planet…

Foyer

Pause, enjoy a cuppa, network with sustainability leaders and event movers and shakers, and get ready for an afternoon bursting with engaging panel discussions, insightful presentations, and some surprises.

Room 2

Speakers: Jane Healy (J Healy Productions / Glastonbury), Jacob Tompkins (The Water Retail Company)

Water scarcity and security is becoming an increasing issue, whilst sewage continues to overflow into our waterways. How can we conserve water, reduce risk, increase self-sufficiency, and lessen pressure on local towns and sewerage systems whilst simultaneously harnessing vital nutrients and closing the loop? Diving into this vital and urgent topic are Glastonbury Festival and Boomtown’s head of sanitation Jane Healy and Jacob Tompkins of the Water Retail Company.

Room 1

Moderator:Lucy Noble (AEG Presents)  
Speakers: Christof Huber (YOUROPE / Gadget Entertainment), Jamal Chalabi (A Greener Future), Richard Burnett (KB Event), Vanessa Govinden (Offshoot Tours / Musician)

The fifth iteration of the panel that tackles touring impacts and how the touring ecosystem can better serve artists, productions, audiences, and the planet. From trucking to power, the interplay between promoter, agent, and venue, and a grassroots perspective on reimagining the way we tour. Expect a feisty session.

Room 2
Moderator: Abena Fairweather (Legacy Marketplace)
Presenters: Alice Pelly (EarthPercent), Anne Sayer (A Good Thing / AGF), Connor Bryant (Rubbish Ideas), Mathieu Labey (Wheelskeep), Molly Bates (Mycofilter)

GEI delegates present their innovative start-ups, businesses, or inventions to help solve our climate conundrums. This session brings you the latest ideas and technologies driving sustainability in unique ways. 

Room 1

Moderator: Sangeeta Waldron (Serendipity PR & Media Ltd)
Speakers: Madame Gandhi (Musician & Activist), Roshan Netalkar (Swordfish Entertainment / Echoes of Earth), Tongai Makawa (Magamba Network)

Using art, creativity, influence, and the platforms we have for a just, participatory, and green future is crucial in this time of polarisation, uncertainty, and abuses of power. This panel shines a light on some of the inspiring actions and informative experiences of a number of remarkable individuals and networks…

Room 2

Moderator: Dale Vince OBE (Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers FC)
Speakers: Craig Hardeman (Power Logistics), Roxy Erickson (The Fuel Project / Creative Zero),

With insights from The Fuel Project: The Shift report, with Film London, this panel explores how low-carbon technologies can reshape transport and mobile power fleets, with a pragmatic look at how to make the transition fair for all stakeholders. From Grid Faeries x Ecotricity, we discuss what it means to have a ‘deep green energy basket’ in the live sector, and we take a look at the latest trends in both outdoor and permanent power for events, alongside Power Logistics, using the example of Massive Attack’s 100% battery-powered Act 1.5 show on the Bristol Downs last summer.

Foyer

Delicious climate-loving, plant-based cuisine and an opportunity to relax and/or network before the afternoon’s panels commence. Plus, a special treat: a Devil’s Kitchen Shiitake Mushroom Burger, topped with a tangy slaw and served in a soft Hobbs House bun made with WILDFARMED’s flour. Get in there!

Room: 1

Moderator: Claire O'Neill (A Greener Future)
Speaker: Minister for Climate, Kerry McCarthy MP (DESNZ) , Danielle Magalhaes (UNFCCC)

Minister for Climate in the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, and MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy discusses the important role of the events and creative sectors in the transition to net zero, and the interplay between politics, business and culture to both decarbonise our sector and to effect positive change in the remainder of this crucial decade.

Room 2

Moderator: Suzanne Bull MBE (Attitude is Everything)
Speakers: Farah Ahmed (Julie’s Bicycle), Maia Barker (Attitude is Everything), Sarah Pickthall (Sync Leadership ), Dr Teresa Moore (A Greener Future),

Join Suzanne Bull MBE, founder of Attitude is Everything, as she and panel members explore what’s new in the updated version of the ‘No Climate Action Without Us’ toolkit – which consists of practical guidance to help the live events industry tackle climate change and accessibility…

Room 2

Moderator: Adrian Bossey (Falmouth University)
Speakers: Dr Karen Davies (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Naheed Akhtar (Research Assistant, Centre for Culture Sport and Events, University of the West of Scotland)

We are once again supporting AEME by providing a platform for new research into issues around environmental and social sustainability by member academics.

This year’s session will focus on issues around EDI, and we are delighted to welcome two more academics who will present their team’s latest research…

Room 1

Moderator:Claire O'Neill (A Greener Future / Grid Faeries)
Speakers: Carly McLachlan (Tyndall Centre, University of Manchester),Dale Vince OBE (Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers FC), and special guest.

Following many years of private climate interventions, in 2021, Massive Attack commissioned an open resource for the music industry: the Roadmap to Super-Low Carbon Live Music, which was produced by climate scientists and industrial analysts from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research…

Foyer

Pause, enjoy a cuppa, network with sustainability leaders, event movers and shakers, and get ready for an afternoon bursting with engaging panel discussions and insightful presentations.

Room 2

Presenters: Marie Sabot (We Love Green), Hortense Serret (CESCO / Nabi Ecology)

WE LOVE GREEN festival in Paris has launched an innovative study of the festival's impact on local biodiversity. Ecological specialists and researchers associated with the French National Museum of Natural History have implemented concrete study protocols following the 2024 edition of the three-day event…

Room 2

Presenter: Alex Fintoni (A Greener Future)

During this session, AGF will present the summary findings from the last 12 months of AGF assessments and the carbon footprints of festivals assessed. This will include key stats and figures regarding trends in energy use, resource use, waste, food & drink, and transport…

Room 1

Moderator: Greg Cochrane (Journalist and Broadcaster)
Speakers: Dr Clair Barnes (World Weather Attribution / Imperial College London), Erik Distler (AEG), Megan Best (Native Events / Julie’s Bicycle Europe), Steven Howell (Howden Insurance Brokers)

In 2024, climate disasters cost the world $320bn in damage, only half of which was covered by insurance. We've seen increasing extreme and inclement weather events impacting festivals, sports events, and even permanent venues, buildings, and transport networks, from extreme wildfires to the creeping impact of higher or lower rainfall over long periods of time…

Room 4

Hosts: Charlie Forbes (A Greener Future), Wicki Nielsen (A Greener Future)

A chance for our AGF assessors to get together, say hi, and talk about how the year’s assessments went whilst new assessors can find out more about carrying out assessments. We will look at feedback, comments, successes, and challenges from last year, as we start to plan the coming season’s assessments.

Room 2

Presenters: Lee Chadburn (National Ice Centre & Motorpoint Arena Nottingham), Nikita Coulter (A Greener Future)

Discover how the NAA Green Guide, codeveloped with AGF, can help you lead the way in sustainability for live events. In this 20-minute session, we’ll walk you through the guide, explaining its purpose, structure, and how to use it effectively.

Room 2

Presenter: Katrin Wipper (The Changency)
Please note: Session timings are subject to change.

Audience travel accounts for up to 90% of a concert's carbon footprint. So can artists, booking agents, or event organisers actively influence whether an audience travels sustainably? Say hello to Adele’s German residency; potentially shake off the impact of the industry’s ticketing structure on fan travel (hello, Swifties in the US and a nod to Massive Attack); and let’s take a deep dive into TICKET TO RIDE – a project organised by The Changency and Crowd Impact together with German pop-rockers AnnenMayKantereit…

Room 1

Moderator: John Robb (Louder Than War, The Membranes)
Speakers: Adam Hempenstall (Peppermint), Bonnie May (Eat to the Beat / Global Infusion Group), Dale Vince OBE (Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers FC), Tobias Azizah (Meta / Vegetarian Society)

Food and drink are a significant part of the event industry, not only affecting revenue and the overall attendee experience, but climate, biodiversity, and health.

Our expert panel will discuss these impacts, as well as our food systems more broadly, and how we can enhance the experience whilst also caring for the health and wellbeing of our audiences, artists, athletes, and crew, alongside the health and wellbeing of our planet…

Foyer

Complimentary refreshments and unmissable vegan cinnamon buns by Beaten by a Whisker!

We celebrate the end of GEI16 with networking, booze, and vegan balls! (Courtesy of plant-based pioneers Devil’s Kitchen.)

Moderators: Claire O'Neill (A Greener Future) & Louis VI (Nature Ain't A Luxury)

Sponsored by SkyDiamond

We will highlight the outstanding efforts in live event sustainability at the International AGF Awards. These awards recognise those festivals, events, arenas, and suppliers making significant strides in sustainability. The top prize, the International Greener Festival Award, will crown the best of the best.

ROOM: 1

Don’t go anywhere! Remain in the room after the keynote and enjoy a glass of bubbly before the award ceremony that follows.

ROOM: 1

Moderator: Cathy Runciman (EarthPercent)

Speakers: Brian Eno, Jarvis Cocker

Sponsored by EarthPercent

Keynote Conversation with Brian Eno & Jarvis Cocker's "Biophobia"

EarthPercent Hour sees the fantastic Brian Eno return to GEI and Pulp frontman and radio presenter Jarvis Cocker drop in to present “Biophobia.” The Keynote Conversation is hosted by EarthPercent’s Cathy Runciman. Expect some scintillating chat. Definitely not an event to miss!

ROOM: 1

Grab yourself a cuppa, do a spot more networking with sustainability leaders, and prepare yourself for even more engaging panel discussions and insightful presentations, etc.

ROOM: FOYER