When you think of music festivals or concerts in the US, Coachella or Lollapalooza may come to mind, but what about the amount of waste that’s created from these events? People attending these events produce 53,000 tons of waste each year, the equivalent of 450 blue whales.
There are currently more than 800 music festivals in the US, and 32 million people attend at least one music festival yearly. Many concerts and music festivals have now pledged to become sustainable. As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, the call for sustainable practices in the entertainment industry has grown louder.
According to Forbes, 87 percent of consumers favor a company when it actively endorses social or environmental causes. Sustainable event management can aid in a path towards a brighter future for both humanity and our planet.
The Music Climate Pact is a global platform that does just that and is initiated by the UK’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) in collaboration with UK record labels association the BPI, as a response to COP26 and the urgent call for collective action to combat the climate crisis. This unique opportunity will help artists and audiences engage with climate issues. There’s an answer to sustainability and event management and it’s an Event Sustainability Management System.
What is an Event Sustainability Management System (ISO 20121:2024)?
This standard allows your company to minimize environmental and economic impacts, enhance performance, and secure unwavering support from stakeholders embracing aspects of environmental, social, and financial impacts. Using this standard is an essential benefit for the entertainment industry, considering geographical, cultural, and social factors.
Sustainability is not a trend, but a crucial responsibility the entertainment industry must bear. Concerts and festivals have the potential to inspire positive change globally. The 2030 agenda allows companies support to meet goals for sustainability. It’s a plan of action for people, the planet, and prosperity.
Event organizers can harmonize the melody of music with a symphony of sustainability, leaving behind a legacy of environmental consciousness for generations to come.
Together, let’s hit the right key and create a greener, more sustainable world through the magic of music, festivals, and community.
Follow along for the next blog in the series, "The future is now: Creating our sustainable planet together".
