A Greener Festival expands awards to venues and events

Two new international awards will recognise and encourage environmental sustainability at cultural events and venues, following their launch on Monday to coincide with United Nations’ World Environment Day.

The non-profit organisation behind the Greener Festival Award is expanding its assessment and accreditation scheme to venues and events, including theatre productions, conferences and multi-venue city events.

The ‘Greener Event’ and ‘Greener Venue’ awards involve independent site assessment, verification and certification of environmental actions. Participating organisations will receive tailored recommendations about ways to reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable.

Claire O’Neill, Co-Founder of A Greener Festival, said: “There are very tangible opportunities for events and venues to save resources and money through actions that benefit the environment. There is an expressed interest and now overwhelming response that events want to find and act on these opportunities and share best practice.”

Ten events have already signed up to be assessed including the Spring Performing Arts Festival in the Netherlands and the Festival & Outdoor Events Show in the UK.

Since 2007, A Greener Festival has assessed over 400 festivals across five continents, including Glastonbury Festival and Primavera Sound in Spain.

UK Music is supporting the awards and Director of Communications Anthony Barnes said: “The music sector has long been keenly aware of its environmental responsibilities and the need for sustainability, often leading from the front and frequently using its sway to communicate the message to the concert-going public.

“UK Music applauds and supports A Greener Festival and The Greener Event Award for highlighting the good work that is being done – and making sure everyone puts a little more thought into the issues.”