About the author: Monika is the Program Coordinator for Beyos School at Beyond Sustainability, where she thrives on creativity and passion. To describe her, she is an #experimenter, #passionate individual, and a #dancer. Her superpowers include being an instant solution provider, excelling at stakeholder engagement, and being a natural multi-tasker.
A green festival is not a distinct festival, but an event that includes eco-friendly practices to reduce its impact on the environment. The goal is to bring down its carbon footprint and encourage sustainable practices in different parts of the event. Here’s how it works:
1. Eco-friendly food: Serving food that is organic, locally grown, and sustainably made. Using biodegradable or reusable plates, cups, and utensils instead of plastic.
2. Green commute: Encouraging people to use public transport, carpool, bike, or walk to the event to reduce pollution.
3. Renewable energy: Using solar, wind, or water-powered energy for the event, instead of relying on fossil fuels.
4. Innovative solutions: Using smart, eco-friendly designs for stages, venues, and waste management to reduce the environmental impact.
5. Less waste: Reducing waste by reusing and recycling materials, and avoiding single-use plastics.
6. Protecting nature: No harm to local wildlife or ecosystems, and raising awareness about the need to protect the environment and its creatures.
Why having a green festival is important?
A green festival is important to reduce the CO2 emissions. It helps to address various environmental impacts. It reduces pollution, helps conserve natural resources, promotes awareness and behavioral shifts, and protects the ecosystem. Festivals are a source of joy, but they can also have a significant environmental impact. However, green festivals have consciously taken steps to reduce this impact and make the celebration more sustainable.
Glastonbury Festival in the UK has been a pioneer. It doesn’t cut out the joy but ensures there is music, dance, theatre, and more without compromising on sustainability. They use renewable energy, ban single-use plastics, provide incentives for green travel, and support local charities.
We Love Green, a Paris-based festival, is a prime example of how music, celebration, and eco-consciousness can coexist. The festival is run entirely on renewable energy. The festival promotes a plant-based menu and procures locally.
Recently, YOUROPE- The Europe Festival Association has come up with the ‘European Green Festival Roadmap 2030’. It is based on the SDGs and the EU Deal’s promise to cut 55% of emissions by 2030. It gives a clear set of guidelines for festivals to reduce their environmental impact and address the challenges of climate change.
There has been a noticeable surge in green festivals in India, inspired by the successful implementation of eco-friendly practices in festivals across the West. Sustainability is important while celebrating traditional and cultural events.
Here are some of the green festivals in India:
i) Echoes of Earth has been the most spoken in the list. It happens in Bangalore every year. The eco-friendly music festival celebrates nature, using stages built from recyclable materials, bans single-use plastic, and offers workshops on sustainability.
ii) The famous Ziro festival happens in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. It is an outdoor music festival. It has attracted music lovers across the world. The festival has set a sustainability benchmark by using locally sourced bamboo and wood which has been reused every year. It embraces green philosophy and incorporates local Apatani artisans’ knowledge in building the structures.
iii) Bloom in green festival that takes place in Krishnagiri promotes conscious living. The place welcomes one to dive into an open and imaginative alternative society. The festival has music line-ups and workshops.
iv) Ekatva Festival, supports artisans, homegrown brands, and individuals who contribute to a compassionate and sustainable lifestyle. It welcomes a wide audience, from families and homemakers to professionals, promoting the idea that everyone can play a role in making the planet greener and more harmonious.
In short, a green festival makes sure it has the smallest impact on the environment while promoting eco-friendly practices. The festival encourages eco-friendly products and supports local artisans and businesses, fostering a sustainable economy and community engagement.
Enjoy these green festivals and make a difference by traveling eco-friendly, bringing your reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, and reducing waste. Every small effort counts!
