Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Paragraph: 71
Despite the good intentions and countless initiatives to reduce the environmental impacts of festivals, the...
Conclusion
Despite the good intentions and countless initiatives to reduce the environmental impacts of festivals, the growth of the market has undermined the sector’s efforts to reduce overall emissions, and the legacy of the pandemic presents a further threat to those measures. The Government and local authorities should signal their commitment to emissions targets by holding the festival sector to account on, and supporting, its pledges to reduce emissions, rather than letting it continue to mark its own homework.
Paragraph Reference:
71
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government agrees with the Committee that in order to meet emissions targets, we should support festivals on their pledges to reduce emissions. The Minister for Digital and Culture made clear when giving evidence to the Select Committee that she believed it “is very important that local authorities make sure that they include strict environmental measures within their licensing framework”. This is a proposal that the DCMS will work closely with DEFRA and MHCLG to explore over the coming months. We appreciate the steps that many in the festivals sector are already taking to improve their sustainability credentials. Organisations such as A Greener Festival and Julie’s Bicycle are playing an important role in raising the profile of sustainable event certification. The Association for Independent Festivals (AIF) have also run several high profile campaigns such as the ‘Drastic on Plastic’ and ‘Take your Tent Home’ initiatives in recent years. Ahead of the 2022 festival season, the Government urges festival organisers to work with such organisations and continue to make progress in becoming greener. The Government will continue to examine the role it can play in improving the sustainability of events.