Summer is the peak time for events, music festivals, parties and concerts of all kinds. Spain has become one of the countries that organizes the most festivals and welcomes the most people from around the world in what is known as “festival tourism.”
One fact: the concert and festival sector in Spain reached a historic revenue record in 2023 with almost 579 million euros, representing a 26% increase from the previous year.
Increasingly, the number of events concerned with sustainability is growing, not only measuring their impacts, but also implementing actions to reduce their carbon footprint, that of the attending public, water and energy consumption, waste, or the food consumed. However, many organizers do not know where to start.
DEKRA, a world leader in safety and sustainability services, is intensifying its efforts to promote the adoption of sustainable practices at events and festivals in Spain, aligning with the ISO 20121 standards for sustainable event management.
DEKRA offers comprehensive advice to help festivals and events implement personalized sustainable strategies. DEKRA’s team of experts, led by Oriol Barber, works closely with organizers to identify and reduce environmental impact, promoting the use of renewable energies, emissions reduction, and carbon offsetting.
One example is transportation. It is one of the major contributors to carbon footprint. Organizers are increasingly concerned with offering more efficient mobility (shared buses), working on optimizing and/or reducing merchandising, reducing waste, for example, single-use (or compostable) plates and cutlery, or the single-use cups that each participant uses for everything.
This year, for the first time in its 18 editions, all the energy used at Bilbao BBK Live 2024 came from renewable sources. It integrated 130 solar panels and two wind turbines with the aim of generating clean and sustainable energy throughout the event; energy generated whose use has been maximized thanks to storage systems that have allowed optimal use of resources.
Coldplay has set a high standard in the live events industry with its commitment to climate neutrality. They have implemented various green initiatives, including reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energies, etc. In addition, they have offset unavoidable emissions and promoted ecological practices among their followers, such as the eradication of plastic at their concerts, demonstrating that it is possible to enjoy live music while caring for the planet. Coldplay has emitted 47% less carbon emissions on their current world tour compared to their 2016 and 2017 tour.
DEKRA, committed to sustainability, is conducting – on behalf of the German government – a follow-up climate study on UEFA EURO 2024, including an assessment of the environmental impact in the ten host cities. Factors to be investigated include climate action, mobility/transport, and waste, evaluating options to avoid emissions.
Another case is the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which aim to be the most ecological in history. The goal of Paris 2024 is ambitious: to halve the carbon footprint of the Games compared to previous editions (the Tokyo Olympic Games emitted an average of 3.5 million tons of CO2).
In Paris, 95% of the infrastructure is existing or temporary; low-carbon structures, renewable energies, sustainable mobility and catering, athletes will sleep on mattresses made from recycled fishing nets and reinforced cardboard bed bases, etc.
August 15 marks the beginning of the traditional patron saint festivities in many towns in Spain. This festive period is an ideal opportunity to implement sustainable measures to reduce environmental impact. DEKRA firmly believes that celebrations should be memorable not only for their joy and culture, but also for their respect for the environment.
DEKRA is seriously committed and can help other festivals and events follow this example by implementing personalized sustainable strategies.
Concerts and festivals are cultural and economic dynamizers. Despite advances, many cities and event organizers still face significant challenges in creating sustainable events. Common mistakes include inadequate planning, insufficient integration of green technologies, and failures in educating and engaging the public. DEKRA positions itself as a crucial ally in overcoming these obstacles, providing the tools and knowledge needed to achieve sustainability goals.
The issue of errors in the creation of sustainable events by City Councils and promoters is a critical issue. Often, these errors result in events that, although well-intentioned, do not meet their ecological goals. DEKRA is prepared to address these challenges and demonstrate that, with the right guidance, it is possible to achieve truly sustainable events that not only meet expectations, but also educate and mobilize the public towards more responsible practices.
DEKRA is an international organization based in Germany specializing in assessment, inspection, and certification services. Founded in 1925, DEKRA has established itself as one of the leading companies in the field of safety and sustainability. Their focus covers sectors such as automotive, industry, construction, and environment. DEKRA offers services such as audits, product testing, and training to ensure that safety and quality standards are met. With a presence in more than 50 countries, DEKRA is committed to promoting safety and sustainability in various areas globally.
via: MiMub in Spanish