During the busy festival season, solutions are tested and implemented, and festivals learn by doing. After the festival, it is time to reflect on the effectivity of the approach and if needed adjust the plans. New insights and opportunities may also result in an update of the plans for the following year or even of the sustainability plan for the longer term. Festivals continuously improve their performance, aiming to become circular and climate neutral. To have success, it is vital that sustainability remains on the agenda of all management meetings, that it is embedded into all daily operations, and that the ownership to contribute is embedded in the entire team. The yearly recurring cycle is summarised in the figure below:

Setting targets for your sustainability plan
By providing a definition for what a circular and climate neutral event ultimately looks like, the model provides a basis for festivals to plan their own sustainable transformation. Therefore, it is important to identify specific priorities and Key Performance Indicators; these priorities and KPI’s may be picked from the goals and targets presented in this model.

Where to start with?
For most events, it will be impossible to do everything at once. So where to start with? Start with those themes where you expect to be able to make big impact by implementing solutions relatively quick, and for themes where there is an urgent need to take action based on regulations. And don’t wait too long to start preparing for the more difficult targets which may require more time; you do not want to be too late when new regulations come in place.

Guidance for a step by step approach

Step-by-step covering all Green House Gas Emission Scopes

Identify measures and actions that contribute to the targets
Various event sustainability tools, including the ‘European Green Festival Roadmap 2030’ and ‘Future Festivals Tools’,  provide concrete measures and actions to be considered for the festivals’ organisations sustainability plan and in the plans for upcoming editions.

Monitoring is vital!
By monitoring, festivals can see where interventions have the highest impact, assess whether targets are achieved, and how strategy and projects need to be revised or refined. Monitoring gives a clear (and developing) image of the climate and material footprint. Monitoring gives organisers insight in their progress for the thematic elements which are included in the model.

GDCF Monitor