News

World Green award for Splendour

3 November 2011

Nottingham's Splendour festival has once again been named one of the top green festivals in the world.

It is one of 18 festivals commended for their environmental efforts in the prestigious Greener Festival Award 2011.

This year Splendour, which is organised by Nottingham City Council in partnership with DHP, achieved a 50 per cent reduction in its carbon footprint. Carbon emissions were 4.1 tons this year compared to 8.74 tonnes in 2010.

Other green achievements were:

  • an increase in recycling of glass, card and paper, plastic and cans;
  • more traders using environmental and ethical products and biodegradable containers and utensils; an increase in Fair Trade products and produce;
  • noise kept within the correct levels;
  • promotion of public transport to get to and from the site, including the use of an ethanol-fuelled bus and a shuttle bus between Wollaton Park and the city centre.
  • protection of wildlife on the site, including the Wollaton Park deer herd.
As well as leaving cars at home, there was community help in on the day. Volunteers from Wollaton Hall Youth Football Club collected plastic beer mugs and cans.

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council's Portfolio holder for Energy and Sustainability, said: "We know Splendour is a great festival and we are very proud of the contribution it makes to Nottingham. This year's festival was the most successful yet, attracting a maximum 20,000 visitors but we still managed to cut by half its carbon footprint by working with other organisations, traders and of course, the public.

"It shows that people are concerned about their environment and keen to support green issues if they are provided with the facilities to do so. And it once again highlights Nottingham's success as a green city."

The awards are made by environmental campaign and advice group A Greener Festival. A total of 46 events across the UK, Europe, Australia and North America have been named Greener Festivals for their green efforts to reduce their environmental impact. Twelve festival were rated outstanding, nine were highly commended and seven were classed as improving.To gain the accolade, each festival must complete a detailed 53-part questionnaire, submit relevant information about their carbon footprint, traffic plans and waste and recycling management schemes. An independent environmental audited of the festival completed the awards scheme.

Organisers said they were extremely pleased with the results, which took place against very difficult financial pressures at some festivals and poor summer weather in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Ben Challis, Co-founder of A Greener Festival said: "One highlight was the real reduction in car use at many festivals as people swapped to coaches, trains, shared cars or even cycled. A downside was the thousands and thousands of tents and other perfectly reusable camping equipment left behind at festivals in the UK. What a mess and what a waste".

Helen Wright, the Greener Festival Awards Director said "This has been another amazing and inspiring year for the Greener Festival Awards and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed - from our own dedicated environmental volunteers to green waste teams, traders, event organisers, production teams, interns, sustainability managers, audiences.... the list is endless. Events that have chosen to adopt a commitment to reduce their own and their audience's environmental impact are setting a high standard, and a green festival is one that many festival goers now expect. Creative initiatives, individual dedication and organisational commitment are making real a difference in the battle to succeed with the environmental challenges posed by promoting an event. The Greener Festival Awards are now in their fifth year and the results this year demonstrate the measurable progress that our participating festivals have made by embarking on this journey. Amazing! Thank you."

Source:www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk|

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