46 Festival win Greener Festival Award
46 festivals across the UK, Europe, Australia and North America have been awarded a Greener Festival Award for their efforts in reducing their environmental impacts in 2011. The Awards are made by environmental campaign and advice group A Greener Festival and organisers said they were extremely pleased with the results which took place against “very difficult financial pressures in some parts of the festivals sector” and “challenging summer weather” in both hemispheres.
Ben Challis, Co-founder of A Greener Festival and Julie's Bicycle board member said, “one highlight was the real reduction in car use at many festivals as people swapped to coaches, trains, shared cars or even cycled. A downside was the thousands and thousands of tents ands other perfectly reusable camping equipment left behind at festivals in the UK – "what a mess and what a waste”. The Awards scheme is sponsored by Robertson Taylor who specialise in insurance for live events and the music industry.
The winners of the Greener Festival Award 2011 are:
Outstanding
Exceptional and inspirational events which have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, have excellent travel, transport and waste management programmes, protect the environment and minimise water use and communicate this to the public.
Croissant Neuf Summer Party (England)
Falls Festival, Lorne, Victoria (Australia)
Falls Festival, Marion Bay, Tasmania (Australia)
Isle of Wight Festival (England)
Lightning in a Bottle (USA)
Oya Festival (Norway)
Peats Ridge (Australia)
Shambala (England)
Sunrise Celebration (England)
We Love Green (France)
Wood (England)
Woodford Festival (Australia)
Highly commended
Well-managed, environmentally aware festivals which have taken significant steps to reduce waste, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and engage with the audience.
Bestival (England)
Bonnaroo (USA)
Co-operative Cambridge Folk Festival (England)
Glastonbury Festival (England)
Grassroots (Jersey)
Lollapalooza (USA)
Malmo Festival (Sweden)
Island Vibe (Australia)
SOS 4:8 (Spain)
Commended
Well-managed and environmentally aware festivals.
Austin City Limits (USA)
Calgary Folk Music Festival (Canada)
East Coast Bluesfest (Australia)
Festibelly (England)
Heineken Dia de la Musica (Spain)
Ilosaaririock (Finland)
Hadra Trance Festival (France)
The Open Air Festival (Czech Republic)
Rock for People (Czech Republic)
San Sebastián Quincena Musical (Spain)
Sonisphere (England)
Splendour Festival (England)
Splendour in the Grass (Australia)
Summer Sundae Weekender (England)
T-in-the-Park (Scotland)
Waveform (England)
Welcome to the Future (Netherlands)
WomAdelaide (Australia)
Improving
Festivals at the beginning of the green “journey” that can exhibit at least a significant engagement with the process of reducing the event’s environmental impact.
Camp Bestival (England)
Download (England)
Greenbelt Festival (England)
Hard Rock Calling (England)
Lounge on the Farm (England)
Radio 1 Big Weekend (England)
Wireless (England)
Helen Wright, Director of the Greener Festival Awards said, “Events that have chosen to adopt a commitment to reduce their own and their audience's environmental impact are setting a high standard, and a green festival is one that many festival goers now expect. Creative initiatives, individual dedication and organisational commitment are making real a difference in the battle to succeed with the environmental challenges posed by promoting an event. The Greener Festival Awards are now in their fifth year and the results this year demonstrate the measurable progress that our participating festivals have made by embarking on this journey.”
The overall winner of the UK’s Greener Festival Award 2011 will be announced at the UK Festival Awards gala ceremony at the Roundhouse, London, on Tuesday 15th November 2011 along with a host of other awards for the UK’s best and favourite festivals.
James Drury, Managing Director of the UK Festival Awards said, “Festivals can have an important impact on people’s opinions, and it’s inspiring to see how many lead by example on green issues. Recognising the hard work of festivals in making their events more environmentally-friendly is an important part of the UK Festival Awards and I’m excited to find out who’s won!”
