ENERGY

Energy generation is responsible for producing 34% of global Greenhouse Gas emissions

Source: IPCC 6th Assessment Report

Traditionally, energy has been generated through non-renewable fossil fuel based sources such as coal, oil, natural gas and peat. Burning these fuels releases a mix of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, where they get trapped and affect the climate. In addition, the extraction of these resources results in changes to land use, which contributes to biodiversity decline and results in unintended pollution incidents. Hence, energy generation from non-renewable, fossil fuel sources is not sustainable and must be phased out. Moving away from fossil fuels and reducing energy consumption is therefore a key objective for festivals and events which are seeking to be more sustainable.

Sustainable energy is obtained from renewable sources including sunlight, wind, waves, geothermal heat and biomass. Renewable energy sources do not jeopardise the energy needs or climate of future generations, as they reduce dependence on finite fossil fuels and have few or no greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable energy for festivals and events can be obtained by connecting to the national power grid and purchasing power via a green electricity tariff. Alternatively, off-grid sustainable energy systems can be used onsite at festivals, by installing independent systems such as solar panels or wind turbines; or by using biofuel in generators.

Another option is to combine a green electricity grid tariff for centralised areas on site, such as production offices, with small, independent sustainable power sources in remote areas of the site. In combined, permanent systems, it may also be possible to sell surplus power generated from onsite renewable energy systems back into the national grid. Monitoring our energy usage and using energy efficiently by matching capacity to actual power demand, and investing in energy efficiency appliances, also reduces the impact of overall power consumption.