Several arenas and venues across the UK and Europe have earned A Greener Future (AGF) certification by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability in 2024.

These include London’s The O2 (cap. 20,000), Glasgow’s OVO Hydro (14,300), Hamburg’s Barclays Arena (15,000), Leeds’ first direct arena (13,781), Berlin’s Uber Arena (17,000) and Uber Eats Music Hall (4,500) and ABBA Voyage London (3,000).

The certification is awarded by A Greener Festival (AGF), a not-for-profit company and sustainability expert, dedicated to helping events, festivals, and venues around the world to become more sustainable.

“We’re really happy to see the increasing uptake of venues aspiring to be greener. What is most important are the actions these venues are taking to improve touring and their impacts on the local and global environment,” says AGF CEO Claire O’Neill.

“These venues have a significant platform which can influence and speed up the green transition of the event sector, something that we so urgently need to do.”

AGF Certification is the world’s first and most comprehensive standard for sustainability in the live events sector, for festivals, events and arenas, reducing waste, emissions, and enhancing equality and biodiversity.

The 5,147-capacity New Lawn Stadium in Gloucestershire, which primarily plays host to the Forest Green Rovers football club, reclaimed its ‘outstanding’ certification and staked its claim as the only venue to earn the distinction.

“Finding sustainable ways to execute live events is essential to the future of our industry”

“Forest Green Rovers are pleased to have once again achieved Outstanding in our annual AGF certification – which is surely the toughest standard in the world today. We were the first to achieve this level and are still the only one – we encourage all other arenas to up their game and join us in the stratosphere of greenness,” says Dale Vince, chairman of the club.

OVO Hydro and The O2 both earned ‘commended’ certifications, with the London arena having a bumper year full of new initiatives from pioneering carbon-removal events to optimising energy efficiency and improving waste management programmes.

“Finding sustainable ways to execute live events, that don’t compromise on the fan or artist experience, is essential to the future of our industry,” says Sam Booth, AEG Europe director of sustainability. “AEG Europe has made huge strides in driving the sustainability agenda in the live industry forward on a global scale, from hosting the world’s first carbon-removed arena events at The O2, to rolling out an in-house reusable cup system across our three German venues.

“We’re so proud to have our achievements across London’s The O2, Berlin’s Uber Arena and Uber Eats Music Hall, and Hamburg’s Barclays Arena recognised by A Greener Future, and are committed to innovating and building on this work as we continue on our path to net zero,” he adds.

“We can’t wait to get further initiatives in place in 2025 to help towards a more sustainable future”

Five venues took home the ‘improver’ certification: ABBA Voyage London, Barclays Arena, first direct arena, Uber Arena, and Uber Eats Music Hall.

“It has been a hugely rewarding process working through AGF’s A Greener Arena certification,” says Kerryn Duckworth, head of operations at first direct arena. “The detailed application process has helped all teams within the arena evaluate our approach to environmental sustainability. It has provided us with a better understanding of what we do well and what areas we can focus on to reduce our emissions and waste further. We can’t wait to get further initiatives in place in 2025 to help towards a more sustainable future.”

To be certified, venues undertake a thorough assessment based upon the AGF Framework, including self-assessment, site visits, and post-event evidence and data submitted to AGF assessors for an independent auditors’ report.

The AGF Framework includes 11 key themes, including local environments & community, travel, food, energy, water, waste, EDI, and governance.

Accolades were recently rolled out for events, with the UK’s Green Gathering, Norway’s Øya Festival, Belgium’s Paradise City, and France’s We Love Green awarded the highest honours.

The International AGF Awards, where certified events across a range of green categories will be crowned, will return on 25 February in London. The awards take place directly after the Green Events & Innovations (GEI17) conference, held in partnership with the ILMC.

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The Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI17) has confirmed more panels and speakers for its upcoming 17th edition.

The leading conference for event sustainability is organised by A Greener Future (AGF) in partnership with the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) and will take place on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 – the day before ILMC – at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.

With a key theme of Biodiversity, Marie Sabot (We Love Green) and Hortense Serret (CESCO/Nabi Ecology) will offer a window into the work of the French festival and its home city of Paris in dealing with the ecological protection and enhancement at the event’s site and surrounding area.

AGG’s Nikita Coulter will present the National Arenas Association (NAA) Green Guide alongside the NAA, while A Greener Tour Round V session will see representatives from various parts of the live ecosystem look for collaborative solutions for improving the impact of touring.

Plus, Dale Vince (Ecotricity/Forest Green Rovers), Roxy Erickson (Music Climate Pact) and Claire O’Neill (AGF/Grid Faeries) will explore the latest technologies and solutions for power and removing diesel from events and film productions.

“We’re very excited with how the programme is shaping up with such important topics for the 17th edition,” says AGF CEO Claire O’Neill. “We’re looking forward to hosting the inspiring GEI community, including this year’s newcomers.”

GEI17 will be rounded off by the International AGF Awards 2025

In addition, extreme weather-related discussions will focus on water and sanitisation with chair Jane Healy (J Healy Productions/Glastonbury/Boomtown Fair), and potential insurance claims, as Steven Howell (Music Insurance Brokers) provides insight into the landscape and considerations for event organisers to be protected and minimise their risks.

Elsewhere, Gabrielle Austen-Browne (Diversity Alliance) will explain how to meaningfully integrate DEIBA into event consciousness and Sanjoy K. Roy (Teamwork Arts) will share information about the sustainability and social actions of Jaipur Literature Festival in India

Meanwhile, following Act 1.5 Expedition One in Liverpool, UK, GEI will look at the future of event sustainability reporting and communication through the lens of public health.

Other speakers so far confirmed include Sangeeta Waldron (Serendipity PR), Dr. Teresa Moore (AGF), Madame Gandhi (artist/activist, US), and John Robb (artist/author).

The full schedule will include discussions, case studies and showcases, along with networking opportunities and a five-star vegan lunch and closing drinks party, while rounding off GEI17 will be the International AGF Awards 2025, sponsored by Skydiamond.

GEI17 is delighted to be once again supported by platinum sponsor Ecotricity and gold sponsor The O2, with Skydiamond as the International AGF Awards sponsor and EarthPercent as charity partner. Various sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities remain.

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Registration for the 17th edition of the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) is now open.

The leading conference for sustainability in the live events sector will return to London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Tuesday 25th February 2025.

The one-day event is a partnership with not-for-profit sustainability specialists A Greener Future (AGF) and the International Live Music Conference (ILMC), which takes place immediately after GEI.

“Things are really heating up, literally and figuratively, in the lead-up to GEI17,” says GEI producer and AGF co-founder Claire O’Neill.

“The events and live sector is feeling the impact of global and national tensions first-hand with growing costs, ethical scrutiny, and uncertainty, but at the same time pulling out the stops on some of the most ambitious green initiatives we’ve ever seen.

“We’re in a time of significant transition, which is sharpening focus and boosting innovation and action”

“We’re in a time of significant transition, which is sharpening focus and boosting innovation and action. The purpose of GEI has always been to do its small part to make the transition that we all have to face, a transformation for good. To be better people, making better choices, creating better experiences, and having the most fun possible during this brief time we get to be alive, together, at the same time, on this beautiful planet.”

GEI17 promises engaging talks, panels, discussions, case studies and networking opportunities. The conference concludes with the annual International AGF Awards Ceremony.

Previous GEI speakers include Brian Eno, Jarvis Cocker, Pat McCabe, Aurora, Dale Vince (Ecotricity), Mark Donne (Act1.5), Cathy Runciman (EarthPercent), Blaine Harrison (Mystery Jets), John Langford (AEG), Carol Scott (TAIT), Em Weirdigan (Green Gathering), Tori Tsui, Mark Stevenson (CUR8), Patricia Yagüe (Live Nation) and Fay Milton (Music Declares Emergency).

Super Early-Bird tickets are now on sale for £139 (€165), which includes access to the conference, the International AGF Awards Ceremony, a drinks reception, plus a five-star lunch.

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AGF (A Greener Future) has hailed ‘significant areas of improvement’ in festival sustainability after surveying more than 40 European events.

The sustainability non-profit today released its Festival Sustainability Report, comprising data analysis on mobility, food & drink, water & sanitation, power & fuel use, waste & recycling, and carbon emissions at events on the continent.

Per the report, significant areas of improvement include an increase in bans on single-use plastic serveware (from 54% in 2022 to 75% in 2023), a reduction in average waste per person per day (from 0.75 kg to 0.5 kg), and more festivals going fully vegan or vegetarian.

The results further highlighted the significant impact of travel and transport, with an increase in reported plane travel. However, the share of domestic artists increased from 61% in 2022 to 68% in 2023 and the average share of attendees using public transport to attend rural festivals increased from 16% to 19%.

After audience transport, food and drink were often found to be the second largest source of emissions and festivals that moved to a fully meat-free event reduced their food-related emissions by over 60% on average.

“We’re on a path to net zero but the path just got steeper, so we need to keep upping our game”

The report also found that an increasing number (38%) of festivals are switching to renewable fuels such as HVO, though AGF points out that these fuels still generate emissions and air pollution. “Reducing overall fuel use and improving the availability and affordability of hybrid, battery, and grid systems remains a key opportunity to decarbonise the sector,” it says. Meanwhile, 15% of festivals used grid electricity for over 90% of their power needs.

Waste per person per day at festivals has been reduced from 0.75kg to 0.5 kg on average, while onsite recycling separation rates increased from 38% (2022) to 46% (2023).

The vast majority (75%) of festivals still use some portable chemical toilets onsite, with just 12% using compost toilets for over 3/4 of their sanitation demand.

The collection of accurate data on build, decor, staging and merchandise materials purchased remains a challenge, according to AGF, as well as engaging with sponsors and hospitality areas to provide the necessary information and to assess their impact. AGF says it is working closely with clients and the sector to bridge these gaps.

“2024 is the 18th year that AGF is assessing festival impacts worldwide,” says Claire O’Neill, CEO, AGF.

“It’s good to see improved understanding, data, and performance from events. We are seeing progress, but more still needs to be done to now additionally adapt to changing and more extreme weather. There is a huge opportunity for collaboration with other sectors such as transport, energy, water and food who all have targets for net zero and protecting ecosystems. New ways of doing things need dynamic and attractive platforms to reach people, which is what festivals are. While progress is good, the background is changing, adversely – we’re on a path to net zero but the path just got steeper, so we need to keep upping our game.”

The full Festival Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.

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Speakers, sessions, exclusive research projects and case studies have been announced for the forthcoming edition of the Green Events & Innovations (GEI) conference.

The leading conference for sustainability in the events sector takes place on 27 February at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel as part of ILMC (the International Live Music Conference).

This year’s event will present the results of two exclusive research projects. The first, Accessibility and Sustainability at Festivals, will feature a unique partnership between AGF, Attitude is Everything, and Julie’s Bicycle. Farah Ahmed (Julie’s Bicycle) and Dr Teresa Moore (AGF) will introduce a toolkit that explores how disabled people’s access to music and live events can be environmentally sustainable.

This will be followed by a discussion featuring Mystery Jets singer and Attitude is Everything patron Blaine Harrison, Feimatta Conteh (Arts Council England), Harry Jones (Accessible Events Ltd), and is chaired by Tori Tsui.

The second session, Influencing Audiences Beyond the Festival, focuses on the influence of green festivals and is based on AGF research undertaken with award-winning UK festival Green Gathering. AGF’s Dr Teresa Moore and Green Gathering’s Em Weirdigan will discuss the findings of the research and how green festivals can positively influence audience attitudes and behaviours beyond the event itself.

Following on from last year’s panel, AEME (Association of Event Management Educators), GEI has again invited the association to bring together a panel of academics to discuss the demand for sustainability skills across the industry in Supporting sustainable employability skills for current and future generations of festival and events managers.

The results of the world’s first carbon-removed gig, featuring The 1975, will be discussed at GEI

In Presenting Ecosystem Collapse – Sponsored by Oil and Gas, Sangeeta Waldron (Serendipity PR) welcomes Luke Howell (Hope Solutions, fellow of IEMA, chartered environmentalist, and strategic sustainability lead for Coldplay and Glastonbury Festival) to discuss with Ed Collins (InfluenceMap) the issue of sponsorship and sustainability.

While Carol Scott (TAIT) and chair of LIVE Green welcomes a panel including Ross Patel (Whole Entertainment, Music Manager Forum) to explore how green clauses can become an integral part of standard industry contracts, and ways of doing business in the next step beyond Green Riders in Contracts for Climate.

In the week before GEI, The O2 will host the world’s first carbon-removed gig, featuring The 1975 in partnership with AGF and carbon-removal experts CUR8. The results of this event will be discussed in The World’s First Carbon-Removed Gig, which features Sam Booth (AEG Europe), Mark Stevenson (CUR8), and AGF’s Claire O’Neill.

Elsewhere in the agenda, acclaimed rapper, musician, nature filmmaker/presenter, zoologist, and activist Louis VI will deliver an impassioned speech in Nature Ain’t A Luxury. Louis VI will be joined by folksinger, activist, and Mercury Music prize nominee Sam Lee to explore the links between music, biodiversity and politics.

Extreme Weather Events: Adapting to the New Climate will highlight the ever-increasing issue of extreme weather events brought about by climate change and will feature the representatives of some of the events that were hit by extreme weather during the festival season of 2023, Yungblud and Massive Attack Tour Manager Jamal Chalabi (AGF / Backlash Productions), alongside Professor Richard Betts (Met Office, University of Exeter).

Returning for 2024 is the ever-popular Quick-Fire Innovation Round, hosted by Abena Fairweather (Legacy Marketplace), which brings the latest ideas and technologies driving sustainability in unique ways. Innovations include everything from blockchain for food traceability, recycled speakers, to biodegradable cable ties and much more.

More info and tickets here.

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A Greener Festival (AGF) has announced the first speakers for its Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI 15), set for 28 February 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The conference will delve into the challenges of delivering green global events, venue construction and operational impacts, genuine carbon removals vs misleading offsets, impactful truthful communications vs greenwashing, and the power and responsibility of using high profiles for positive change.

Dale Vince, founder of the world’s first green electricity company Ecotricity and chairman of ‘the world’s greenest football club’, will discuss the transformation of Forest Green Rovers into the world’s first Vegan football club.

The conference will delve into the challenges of delivering green global events

In addition, major event organiser Rosanna Machado will share the social and environmental ambitions and achievements of HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

Mark Stevenson of CUR8 will deep-dive into credible and durable carbon removals and the pitfalls of offset claims that lack credibility and efficacy.

Plus, award-winning creative Zed Anwar will speak about the importance of creativity when communicating about climate issues and his campaign concept for WWF about brands becoming extinct.

And Andy Cato, regenerative farmer, cofounder of Wildfarmed and one-half of the electronic music band Groove Armada, will give insight into transforming our agricultural practices to support biodiversity and store carbon.

More speakers for GEI 15 will be announced soon. For more information on the conference, or to purchase tickets, click here.

GEI is AGF’s flagship event and is organised in partnership with the ILMC, which takes place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel between 28 February and 3 March.

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Glasgow’s OVO Hydro has been announced as the first arena in the world to achieve A Greener Arena (AGA) certification for its commitment to sustainability.

Awarded by A Greener Festival (AGF), AGA takes a holistic approach to sustainability, not only looking at emissions and environmental impacts but also people, inclusion and wellbeing.

The award was officially presented to the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) venue at today’s Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI), presented by AGF in partnership with the International Live Music Conference (ILMC)

Assessors highlighted the Hydro’s commitment to reducing emissions, enhancing local biodiversity, and being an instrument of positive change on the arena tour circuit. They also praised the venue’s use of 100% renewable electricity, elimination of single use plastic cups at live events saving two million cups per year, campus wide sustainable food strategy and expansion plans for electric vehicle charging points, in addition to its “outstanding” programme for inclusion, health and wellbeing for staff through the dedicated people department.

“Being the first arena in the world to accomplish this is a huge achievement”

“More than ever we are focused on the impact our business has on the planet and are proud to be awarded A Greener Arena certification,” says Debbie McWilliams, the SEC’s director of live entertainment. “Receiving such an accolade is further proof of our commitment to delivering a greener future for our events.

“Being the first arena in the world to accomplish this is a huge achievement and we hope this paves the way for others to follow. It is a significant milestone on our journey towards net zero by 2030, and a real credit to the team who work so passionately on implementing our sustainability strategy.”

Title partner OVO Energy supported the venue’s goal to achieve ‘Greener Arena Certification’ through funding of specific carbon-reduction and environmental initiatives. As part of the assessment, AGF will also share actionable recommendations with the Hydro team that are designed to further evolve the venue’s ongoing certification assessments in years to come.

“We’re delighted for the team at the OVO Hydro, and we hope that this leads the way for more arenas to get involved in the process”

“We’re proud to work with partners who support our commitment to drive progress to zero carbon living,” says James Watts, OVO Energy’s head of PR & sponsorships. “By becoming the world’s first arena to achieve the ‘A Greener Arena’ certification the OVO Hydro is sending a clear signal to the industry that lower-impact live events are possible.

“We will continue to support the OVO Hydro to further reduce its carbon footprint, so fans and artists alike can perform in a venue that’s supporting our collective goal; saving the planet.”

The milestone supports the SEC’s overall sustainability ambitions and adds to the moves it has already made towards reducing its carbon footprint and achieving net zero by 2030.

AGF co-founder Claire O’Neill adds: “A Greener Festival was launched in 2007 and since then we’ve assessed over 1,000 events, tours and venues across five continents, providing the first and only sustainable event certification including on site assessment of practical implementation and independent verification across 11 categories of event analysis, and the first dedicated arena certification. We’re delighted for the team at the OVO Hydro, and we hope that this leads the way for more arenas to get involved in the process.”

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Environmental nonprofit A Greener Festival (AGF) has announced the recipients of the A Greener Festival Award in 2021.

Launched in 2007, the AGF Awards is the gold standard for festivals and events to reduce their environmental impact.

In the latest round of awards, eight events across five countries have been recognised including Paradise City (Belgium), Elrow Town (Netherlands) and Deep Tropics (US).

Recipients received awards across four categories: outstanding, highly commended, commended and improvers.

The festivals and events were awarded based on a rigorous assessment, site visit and post-event analysis of their sustainability actions, with assessors looking at 11 areas, including transport, waste, power, water and local area impacts.

According to AGF, the standards have been developed over 15 years in consultation with 1000s of events, event services, suppliers and sustainability experts across key areas assessed.

The 2021 AGF Awards will be presented during the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI 14) and International Live Music Conference (ILMC 34) on Friday 29 April at the Royal Garden Hotel, London.

“We’re impressed by these events that not only took place but also reduced negative environmental impacts”

AGF CEO Claire O’Neill says: “We’re impressed by these events that not only took place in 2021, which was a feat in itself, but also maintained and developed their actions to reduce negative environmental impacts and enhance positive community impacts.

“We’re happy to be able to award this certification. Record numbers of events worldwide have applied for AGF certification in 2022. This shows the appetite and need for genuine action for sustainability, and the expectation from audiences and local authorities alike for events to prove their minimum environmental standards.”

Gilles De Decker, co-founder of Paradise City Festival, adds: “Claiming you are sustainable means taking responsibility. AGF has been auditing Paradise City Festival for several editions now and it is thanks to their valuable feedback and detailed analysis of the ecological footprint of our festival that we can improve year by year. So this recognition as one of the most sustainable festivals worldwide means a lot to our team.”

Joel Atchinson, regenerative design and co-founder, Deep Tropics, comments: “Working in collaboration with the AGF team was incredibly rewarding and expansive! Even with the great success of producing a climate positive event, the depth of their survey and data collection revealed several blindspots of which we are very grateful to have identified. We feel like our team has a clearer roadmap, and a more refined approach to build on into 2022 and beyond!”

A full list of AGF Award winners for 2021 is below:

Paradise City (Belgium)
“Outstanding” A Greener Festival Award 2021

elrow Town (Netherlands)
“Highly Commended” A Greener Festival Award 2021

Cridem pel Clima (Spain)
“Commended” A Greener Festival Award 2021

Deep Tropics (USA)
“Commended” A Greener Festival Awards 2021

Festival de la Luz (Spain)
“Commended” A Greener Festival Award 2021

Lost Village (UK)
“Improvers” A Greener Festival Award 2021

Madblue (Spain)
“Improvers” A Greener Festival Award 2021

South Summit (Spain)
“Improvers” A Greener Event Award 2021

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Registration is now open for the 13th Green Events & Innovations (GEI) conference, which will take place in a virtual format on 2 March 2021.

The 13th edition of the conference on sustainability in events is presented by A Greener Festival (AGF) in partnership with the International Live Music Conference (ILMC), which is also taking place virtually from 3 to 5 March.

Noting that the number 13 is associated with upheaval and destruction – and with a nod to the pandemic – organisers say GEI13 will honour the theme of transition and transformation.

The conference will reflect on how the industry can be ‘both receptive and active to co-create a better future,’ taking in topics including transport; food systems; equality and inclusivity; health and wellbeing; power systems; design; and materials usage for circularity and more.

“We’ve seen the determination during this difficult year to keep the eye on the ball and come together for sustainability”

Some of the first confirmed speakers include Dale Vince, (Ecotricity, UK); David Ojay (Naam Festival, KE); Tom Schroeder, Paradigm Agency (UK); Gina Perier, Lapee (DK); Gordon Masson, IQ Magazine/ILMC (UK) and Claire O’Neill, AGF (UK).

“We’re really happy to be launching this edition of GEI, be it online,” says Claire O’Neill, AGF co-founder and GEI producer.

“We’ve seen the determination and commitment from all parts of the events industry during this difficult year, to keep the eye on the ball and come together for sustainability, despite the financial hardships we all face.”

GEI13 will welcome industry leaders, professionals, visionaries, governments and all individuals and organisations working to bring environmental and social sustainability to the live events, sports and creative sectors.

The event is now on sale via Ticketsellers, with £35 limited launch price tickets available while they last.

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A Greener Festival (AGF) will now be able to accredit university courses which focus on sustainability in the event and festival industries after gaining official recognition from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa).

The first courses to achieve AGF’s accreditation are Falmouth University’s BA (Hons) sustainable festival management, BA(Hons) sustainable tourism management and BA(Hons) creative events management.

Accreditation by AGF means that students will gain theory and knowledge of current practice required by environmental practitioners in the event industry, both in the UK and internationally.

“AGF has had education at the core of its mission to help events and festivals reduce their environmental impact”

Teresa Moore, AGF director and lead on education and research says: “Since its inception in 2006, AGF has had education at the core of its mission to help events and festivals understand and reduce their environmental impact.

“Over the years AGF has worked closely with a number of universities to help create and deliver course content and at the same time has developed its own, acclaimed environmental assessor training courses for industry professionals.

“Having come from the higher education sector, I understand how invaluable it is to students to know that their degree course is recognised by industry bodies working in their chosen field.”

Adrian Bossey, acting director of the school of entrepreneurship at Falmouth University said: “We are really excited that our innovative degrees are the first in the world to be accredited by AGF and look forward to further developing this pioneering partnership.”

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