Music festivals are increasingly turning to sustainable energy sources, a move that's both challenging and costly.
Suzanne Bearne reports for the BBC.
In short:
- Festivals like Glastonbury and Shambala are pioneering the use of renewable energy sources, including wind turbines and solar panels, to power their events.
- Significant investments are being made in connecting festivals to the national grid and using sustainably sourced hydrogenated vegetable oil for power.
- Efforts are also focused on reducing energy demand, with initiatives like energy tariffs for traders and promoting sustainable transport options for attendees.
Key quote:
"Audiences are increasingly expecting their festivals to take action. The primary driver of ticket sales is still where your friends go, and also the line-up. But audiences are expecting their festivals to be sustainable, so I think there's increasingly a business case for being a more sustainable business."
— Chris Johnson, co-founder of Shambala Festival
Why this matters:
The shift toward sustainable energy in music festivals reflects a growing public demand for environmentally responsible practices and showcases the potential for large-scale events to operate sustainably, impacting both public perception and environmental health.
One Ohio River town that’s using outdoor recreation to boost its economy.
