TRAVEL & TRANSPORT

Transport is responsible for producing 15% of global Greenhouse Gas emissions

(Source: IPCC 6th Assessment Report).

Festivals and events nearly always involve a lot of travelling and transport, as staff, crew, performers, the audience and goods and services must travel to and from the festival. Emissions from fossil fuel powered transport are one of the largest contributors to a festival’s Greenhouse Gas emissions. Transport emissions also negatively affect local air quality. Reducing reliance on fossil fuel powered transport is essential to reduce associated emissions, and has the added benefit of protecting our healththrough better air quality and getting exercise from cycling and walking.

Choosing a venue or festival site close to public transport links is a great way to moderate transport emissions from festivals. Communicating the benefits of walking, cycling, public transport, as well as giving incentives and cutting down on parking spacewhile also promoting carpooling - will help get the audience on board with the necessary reduction of fossil fueled means of transportation. Giving performers incentives for choosing public transport like rail or even nightliners instead of flying in artists and crew, will also cut the emissions of the festival significantly. External contractors and suppliers must deliver goods and services. Through effective planning, organisers can suggest options to facilitate zero-emission transport such as bicycle delivery and electric transport. Coordinating deliveries from suppliers located close to each other, as well as choosing local suppliers, will also help lowering the emissions from transport.

Overall, a focused communication with all relevant stakeholders, on being aware of emissions from transport, featuring efficient, low carbon means of transport will help reduce the total emissions of the event relating to travel and transport.