Reading events help pilot environmental standards. They boost outdoor event sustainability, involving festivals and local authorities.
The project involved many local authorities, including Reading, Bristol, Liverpool, and Manchester. They looked at 60 events in 2022, attended by about 2.3 million people.
These events were diverse including music festivals, sports events, and community gatherings. Reading events joined the pilot program, specifically Reading and Readipop Festivals, East Reading Festival, Reading Water Fest, and Reading Pride.
The pilot showed good results, demonstrating that local assessments boost event sustainability. Outdoor events can become much greener. Councillor John Ennis, who leads on climate strategy in Reading, talked about the buzz.
He explained how the pilot helped festival organizers, encouraging conversations about environmental responsibility. It fostered a sense of being part of a larger movement, working toward a common goal.
The project’s analysis, published in a report, showed strong support for national standards. Event organizers desire environmental criteria to help them meet their goals. Ten local authorities and ninety-six percent of organizers agreed on this.
The events industry designed GECoP after public consultation. Vision for Sustainable Events and Julie’s Bicycle led the pilot project. These groups push climate action, focusing on outdoor events and culture.
The Donut Advisory Toolkit (DATE) helped assess things for the GECoP project. Richard Phillips, who specializes in music and climate at Julie’s Bicycle, participated.
According to Phillips, the project created a blueprint for sustainability policy for outdoor events. Pilot results show a chance for real change, encouraging discussions about environmental sustainability at the local level.
Sixty percent of organizers used new environmental steps, changes directly from the pilot program. Ninety-two percent want to do more and will add sustainable steps next year.
Seven out of ten authorities made changes, enacting stronger environmental rules. The pilot benefited all event sizes by improving the understanding of their impact.
Eighty-three percent of events raised awareness and better understood environmental practices. Eighty percent had more confidence and felt ready to take environmental action.