Festival organisers need to optimise travel options - both for attendees and artists

'Only the cultural sector is capable of having such an impact on people's imaginations,' says David Irle, independent eco-advisor and co-author of the book 'Decarbonizing Culture'. Photo: AFP

Often called out for having a heavy environmental impact, the festival industry is in the midst of a green self-reckoning. It is increasingly looking to reduce its carbon footprint by implementing concrete steps at festivals - large-scale events that typically consume a lot of CO2. A task more complicated than it seems.

A new report from Greener Future, a not-for-profit association that helps various players in the world of live music become more sustainable, gives festival organisers some ideas on areas for improvement. It reveals that audience travel is responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions at European and British festivals.