Ireland’s Electric Picnic has announced that this year the main stage of the festival will be connected to the grid and powered by renewable energy.

This marks the first time a festival of its kind in the UK and Ireland will install mains power to reduce its carbon footprint.

The grid power will ultimately reduce carbon emissions associated with powering the main stage of the festival in 2024 and reduce the need to use temporary generators.

The festival’s promoter Festival Republic (FR) will submit a planning application for a substation and if successful, work will begin later this year.

Electric Picnic’s bid for a greener festival reinforces the commitment of FR’s Green Nation Charter to power its festivals with 100% renewable power by 2030.

This reinforces the commitment of FR’s Green Nation Charter to power its festivals with 100% renewable power by 2030

“The installation of our first grid connection is a key contributor to our goal of reducing carbon emissions associated with the festival by 50% by 2030 in line with our Green Nation Charter,” says Melvin Benn, managing director Festival Republic.

“I hope that by leading the way and sharing what we have learned, festival goers can have an amazing time at Electric Picnic safe in the knowledge that we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact on the only planet we have got.”

Thomas Cosby, Stradbally Hall, adds: “This Festival Republic initiative ties in well with the estate’s programme towards carbon neutrality; It complements our existing renewable energy installations, including biomass, hydroelectric, solar and sustainable forestry management.”

Electric Picnic has been staged since 2004 at Stradbally Hall in Stradbally, County Laois, Ireland. The festival returns this year between 16–18 August and while the lineup is yet to be announced, tickets have already sold out.

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Live Nation Entertainment has announced the launch of new guidance that will help artists and their teams develop sustainable tours after live music returns.

The Green Nation Touring Program [sic], part of the Green Nation initiative launched in 2019, will advise Live Nation-promoted artists on how to adopt eco-friendly touring practices that “prioritise people and planet”, according to the company.

The four-pronged approach will focus on:

• Planning: Selecting green venues, maximising tour-routing efficiency, evaluating transport options and more
• Production: Measuring and optimising everything from stage design to power requirements
• Sourcing: A “conscious and equitable” approach towards sourcing merch, catering and other supplies
• Community: Seeking engagement with everyone involved in a tour, from fans to crew to brand partners
• green venue selection, maximize efficient routing, evaluate transportation options, and more

According to a recent sustainability survey, 82% of of Live Nation’s customers globally say they strive to maintain an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. The Green Nation Touring Program will, then, aim to provide concertgoers with sustainable options for attending shows.

“Live Nation has the responsibility to provide artists and fans with

To oversee these efforts, Live Nation has promoted Lucy August-Perna to director of global sustainability. August-Perna has been with Live Nation since 2016, leading programmes to integrate sustainability measures like waste reduction, energy efficiency and fan and employee engagement across the company’s US venues.

To track and measure the impact of the Green Nation Touring Program, Green Nation is establishing standardised measurement tools on a worldwide basis, and has partnered with UK think tank Julie’s Bicycle to collaborate on new tools, resources and a green tour-certification scheme to help adoption of these touring practices.

“Live Nation has the opportunity and the responsibility to provide artists and fans with live music experiences that protect our planet,” says Michael Rapino, president and CEO of the world’s largest live entertainment business.

“We’re inspired by artists who are continually pushing for greener options, and as we develop those best practices the Green Nation Touring Program will help make them standards in the industry so collectively we can all make the biggest impact possible.”

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Live Nation has announced that its global sustainability coalition, Green Nation, is committing to new environmental goals for all its owned and operated venues, clubs, theatres and festivals.

In a new charter published today, the live entertainment behemoth pledges to reduce negative environmental impacts associated with live events. Live Nation events and venues will pilot a range of programmes, establishing the most effective methods and implementing best practice on a global scale.

Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) will be cut by 50% overall across Live Nation’s venues and live events in just over a decade. The company will measure GHG emissions at every venue and event, enabling the establishment of annual reduction targets for each.

Single-use plastics will be phased out by 2021 “at the latest”, as reusable, renewable, certified compostable or at least 30% recycled products will replace single-use items. Plant-based water bottles will be trialled at Live Nation festivals and venues across Europe this year.

General waste reduction goals include ensuring all Live Nation offices, venues and events are zero waste to landfill and have a 50% or higher material recovery rate by 2030.

Another Green Nation aim is for all venues, offices and live events to run on 100% renewable energy over the coming years. All Live Nation buildings and events will operate to certified energy and efficiency standards, as the company increases the share of energy from renewable sources and invests in energy efficiency measures.

The promoter and venue operator will spread its sustainability goals, working with its many partners and sponsors around the world.

“The adverse effects of climate change are undeniable and we want to use our place on the world stage to be part of the solution”

“Hosting over 35,000 concerts and festivals each year, Live Nation has the opportunity and responsibility to provide our artists and fans with a live music experience that protects our planet,” says Live Nation president and chief executive Michael Rapino.

“The adverse effects of climate change are undeniable and we want to use our place on the world stage to be part of the solution. Together our concerts, venues, festivals and offices around the world are setting new sustainability standards for live events.”

Green Nation’s executive board consists of Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn, Live Nation Venues – US Concerts president Tom See and C3 Presents co-founder Charlie Walker, who will lead these initiatives along with support from regional sustainability managers and teams at the local venue and event level.

The new charter builds on Live Nation’s existing environmental efforts, which include its “Sustainability Rocks” recycling programme, the introduction of climate-friendly plant-based food option, the elimination of plastic straws across all US venues, the installation of free water refill stations to reduce single-use bottle waste, and more.

“As the world’s leader in live entertainment, we have a responsibility to preserve the live music experience for generations to come and a tremendous opportunity to use our platform to inspire global environmental action,” reads Live Nation’s position on climate change.

“We will work to reduce the environmental impact of our venues and festivals to ensure we are being responsible global citizens, taking care of the communities where we operate, and doing our part to curb the most harmful impacts of global climate change.”

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