With festivals on the horizon, many are busy brushing last year’s mud off their wellies and planning what bands they’ll see. But with audience travel making up two-thirds of the sector’s carbon emissions, how we get to our favourite festivals has a huge environmental impact.
There are 500 festivals in Britain, which researchers at Oxford University estimate emits 84,000 tons of C02 in to the atmosphere. According to Julie’s Bicycle, an organisation set up to help the music industry reduce its carbon footprint, moving people to and from festivals contributes 68% of the festival sector’s total emissions – around 45,000 tons.
A number of festivals are looking at ways to reduce their impact, with varying degrees of success. However if you’re an individual who wants to enjoy a summer festival without creating a huge carbon footprint, what can you do?
Cycling
In 2011 Glastonbury Festival launched their cycling initiative to encourage people to leave their cars at home. The festival did their best to encourage people to travel by bike, including providing designated camping, free lock ups and even a bag carrying service. However anyone who knows the area around Glastonbury will appreciate that cycling those Somerset hills would be tough at the best of times, not to mention after four days battling the elements with little sleep. But those who like a bit of a challenge might consider giving it a go when the festival returns next year.
Bus
An easier way to travel to a festival might be by bus. Most major festivals heavily promote bus services, and some subsidise the cost, making it by far the cheapest travel option.
Car
Of course for many travelling by car might be the only way to go. However increasing occupancy of your car can greatly reduce emissions. Plus teaming up with other people is a great way to make new friends. So why not share the space in your car, or find a spare spot through Liftshare or Freewheelers, two online communities that put car sharing just a click away.
Trains
With more British festival promoters starting projects overseas, where the beer is cheap and the weather good, it isn’t just Jay-Z who will soon be flying in to festivals. The environmental impact of this could be huge. But fortunately cross continent train travel is becoming increasingly popular, and companies such as Loco2 are taking the pain out of European train bookings (details about specific festivals can be found on their forums).
Ethical insurance
The ETA has been voted the most ethical insurance company in Britain for the second year running by the Good Shopping Guide.
Beating household-name insurance companies such as John Lewis and the Co-op, the ETA earned an ethical company index score of 89.
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Twenty six years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, travel insurance and breakdown cover while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
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