AGF Leads the Charge for Sustainable Live Events
AGF (A Greener Future) stands at the forefront of promoting sustainability in the live events sector. Their AGF Certification represents the world’s first and most thorough standard for eco-friendly practices in festivals and live events, focusing on waste reduction, emission control, and the promotion of equality and biodiversity.
Across the globe, events and festivals of all varieties have demonstrated their dedication to sustainability, achieving certification in 2024. Notable certified events include Les Escales (FR), Bristol Harbour Festival (UK), Paléo Festival (CH), American Express Presents BST Hyde Park (UK), Telluride (US), Sziget Festival (HU), Rosendal Garden Party (SE), UEC Road European Championships (BE), and D’A Film Festival Barcelona (ES). Additionally, Green Gathering (UK), Øyafestivalen (NO), Paradise City (BE), and We Love Green (FR) have each earned ‘outstanding’ certification status.
AGF CEO Claire O’Neill commented, “While global legislation and best practices are evolving, it’s inspiring to witness festivals and events exceed legal requirements to protect biodiversity, reduce emissions, minimize waste, prevent pollution, and foster positive change. These events invite scrutiny to ensure they meet the high standards set by AGF.”
To obtain certification, events undergo a comprehensive evaluation using the AGF Framework, which includes self-assessments, site visits, and the submission of post-event evidence and data for independent review by AGF assessors. The AGF Framework encompasses 11 essential themes, including local ecosystems and community impact, travel, food, energy, water, waste management, equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and governance.
The Øyafestivalen festival expressed, “Øyafestivalen is dedicated to providing one of the most sustainable festival experiences globally, focusing on minimizing negative environmental impacts while maximizing positive contributions to society and the economy. Achieving the Outstanding certification for the 11th time is a significant and motivating acknowledgment of our committed staff and volunteers. We take immense pride in this recognition and remain devoted to our sustainability efforts moving forward.”
Open Air St Gallen festival remarked, “We are thrilled that OpenAir St.Gallen has officially received certification from A Greener Future! Their certification program is considered a benchmark in the event industry for ecological and social sustainability. We believe that our societal sustainability goals can only be achieved collaboratively, which is why it was vital for us to evaluate our international sustainability efforts and identify areas for improvement through exchange.”
They further stated, “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this extensive certification process with their expertise, support, and dedication. Over three months, we collected nearly 200 documents and conducted eleven one-on-one meetings during the festival to assess our international standing in sustainability.”
2024 Certified Sustainable Festivals and Events
Outstanding Certifications:
– Green Gathering (UK)
– Øyafestivalen (NO)
– Paradise City (BE)
– We Love Green (FR)
Highly Commended Certifications:
– American Express Presents BST Hyde Park (UK)
– Cambridge Folk Festival (UK)
– Dockyard (NL)
– Les Escales (FR)
Commended Certifications:
– Bristol Harbour Festival (UK)
– De Zon (NL)
– Green Man (UK)
– HERNAN CATTANEO WEEKEND X BNP (AR)
– Komm Schon Alter (NL)
– Northside (DK)
– Paleo Festival (CH)
– Rosendal Garden Party (SE)
– Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (ES)
– Sziget Festival (HU)
– Open Air St Gallen (CH)
– Uber One presents All Points East (UK)
– Waking Life (PT)
Improvers Certifications:
– Boomtown (UK)
– Brockwell Live (UK)
– D’A Film Festival Barcelona (ES)
– Das Fest (DE)
– elrow Town Madrid (ES)
– elrow Town Marbella (ES)
– European Short Pitch (FR)
– Godiva Festival (UK)
– In-Edit Festival (ES)
– Jardin de las Delicias (ES)
– Lambeth Country Show (UK)
– Monegros Desert Festival (ES)
– Phe festival (ES)
– Primavera Sound Barcelona (ES)
– Rockygrass and Rocky Mountain (US)
– RZM Festival (ES)
– Telluride (US)
– UEC Road European Championships (BE)
– We Out Here (UK)
The International AGF Awards 2025 ceremony will be held during the Green Events & Innovations (GEI17) Conference, in partnership with ILMC, on February 25th in London.
This event, sponsored by Skydiamond, will showcase the most innovative and environmentally conscious global events, venues, organizations, and individuals from the past year.
Last year, the awards featured 27 nominees from 12 countries, with nine winning prestigious accolades. The top honor, the International Greener Festival Award 2024, was awarded to Belgium’s Paradise City, which also received the Greener Catering Award for its vegetarian and locally sourced menus.
More festivals and events are currently undergoing assessments, with results to be announced soon. Applications for 2025 assessments are now open. Learn more and apply here.
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