Room 1

Moderator:Lucy Noble (AEG Presents)  
Speakers: Christof Huber (YOUROPE / Gadget Entertainment), Jamal Chalabi (A Greener Future), Richard Burnett (KB Event), Vanessa Govinden (Offshoot Tours / Musician)

The fifth iteration of the panel that tackles touring impacts and how the touring ecosystem can better serve artists, productions, audiences, and the planet. From trucking to power, the interplay between promoter, agent, and venue, and a grassroots perspective on reimagining the way we tour. Expect a feisty session.

Room 2

Moderator: Suzanne Bull MBE (Attitude is Everything)
Speakers: Farah Ahmed (Julie’s Bicycle), Maia Barker (Attitude is Everything), Sarah Pickthall (Sync Leadership ), Dr Teresa Moore (A Greener Future),

Join Suzanne Bull MBE, founder of Attitude is Everything, as she and panel members explore what’s new in the updated version of the ‘No Climate Action Without Us’ toolkit – which consists of practical guidance to help the live events industry tackle climate change and accessibility…

Room 2

Moderator: Adrian Bossey (Falmouth University)
Speakers: Dr Karen Davies (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Naheed Akhtar (Research Assistant, Centre for Culture Sport and Events, University of the West of Scotland)

We are once again supporting AEME by providing a platform for new research into issues around environmental and social sustainability by member academics.

This year’s session will focus on issues around EDI, and we are delighted to welcome two more academics who will present their team’s latest research…

Room 1

Moderator:Claire O'Neill (A Greener Future / Grid Faeries)
Speakers: Carly McLachlan (Tyndall Centre, University of Manchester),Dale Vince OBE (Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers FC), and special guest.

Following many years of private climate interventions, in 2021, Massive Attack commissioned an open resource for the music industry: the Roadmap to Super-Low Carbon Live Music, which was produced by climate scientists and industrial analysts from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research…

Room 2

Presenters: Marie Sabot (We Love Green), Hortense Serret (CESCO / Nabi Ecology)

WE LOVE GREEN festival in Paris has launched an innovative study of the festival's impact on local biodiversity. Ecological specialists and researchers associated with the French National Museum of Natural History have implemented concrete study protocols following the 2024 edition of the three-day event…

Room 2

Presenter: Alex Fintoni (A Greener Future)

During this session, AGF will present the summary findings from the last 12 months of AGF assessments and the carbon footprints of festivals assessed. This will include key stats and figures regarding trends in energy use, resource use, waste, food & drink, and transport…

Room 1

Moderator: Greg Cochrane (Journalist and Broadcaster)
Speakers: Dr Clair Barnes (World Weather Attribution / Imperial College London), Erik Distler (AEG), Megan Best (Native Events / Julie’s Bicycle Europe), Steven Howell (Howden Insurance Brokers)

In 2024, climate disasters cost the world $320bn in damage, only half of which was covered by insurance. We've seen increasing extreme and inclement weather events impacting festivals, sports events, and even permanent venues, buildings, and transport networks, from extreme wildfires to the creeping impact of higher or lower rainfall over long periods of time…

Room 2

Presenter: Katrin Wipper (The Changency)
Please note: Session timings are subject to change.

Audience travel accounts for up to 90% of a concert's carbon footprint. So can artists, booking agents, or event organisers actively influence whether an audience travels sustainably? Say hello to Adele’s German residency; potentially shake off the impact of the industry’s ticketing structure on fan travel (hello, Swifties in the US and a nod to Massive Attack); and let’s take a deep dive into TICKET TO RIDE – a project organised by The Changency and Crowd Impact together with German pop-rockers AnnenMayKantereit…

Room 1

Moderator: John Robb (Louder Than War, The Membranes)
Speakers: Adam Hempenstall (Peppermint), Bonnie May (Eat to the Beat / Global Infusion Group), Dale Vince OBE (Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers FC), Tobias Azizah (Meta / Vegetarian Society)

Food and drink are a significant part of the event industry, not only affecting revenue and the overall attendee experience, but climate, biodiversity, and health.

Our expert panel will discuss these impacts, as well as our food systems more broadly, and how we can enhance the experience whilst also caring for the health and wellbeing of our audiences, artists, athletes, and crew, alongside the health and wellbeing of our planet…

Foyer

Complimentary refreshments and unmissable vegan cinnamon buns by Beaten by a Whisker!

We celebrate the end of GEI16 with networking, booze, and vegan balls! (Courtesy of plant-based pioneers Devil’s Kitchen.)

Moderators: Claire O'Neill (A Greener Future) & Louis VI (Nature Ain't A Luxury)

Sponsored by SkyDiamond

We will highlight the outstanding efforts in live event sustainability at the International AGF Awards. These awards recognise those festivals, events, arenas, and suppliers making significant strides in sustainability. The top prize, the International Greener Festival Award, will crown the best of the best.

ROOM: 1

Don’t go anywhere! Remain in the room after the keynote and enjoy a glass of bubbly before the award ceremony that follows.

ROOM: 1

Moderator: Cathy Runciman (EarthPercent)

Speakers: Brian Eno, Jarvis Cocker

Sponsored by EarthPercent

Keynote Conversation with Brian Eno & Jarvis Cocker's "Biophobia"

EarthPercent Hour sees the fantastic Brian Eno return to GEI and Pulp frontman and radio presenter Jarvis Cocker drop in to present “Biophobia.” The Keynote Conversation is hosted by EarthPercent’s Cathy Runciman. Expect some scintillating chat. Definitely not an event to miss!

ROOM: 1

Grab yourself a cuppa, do a spot more networking with sustainability leaders, and prepare yourself for even more engaging panel discussions and insightful presentations, etc.

ROOM: FOYER

Presenter: Alex Fintoni (A Greener Future)

In autumn, AGF released a report demonstrating the carbon impact of festivals and the significant impact that food and drink can have alongside transport on an event’s footprint. During this session, the findings from the last 12 months of AGF assessments and carbon footprints will be revealed, including practical measures, biodiversity actions, and policy.

ROOM: 2

Moderator: Vikki Chapman (Live Nation UK & Ireland)

Speaker: Clive Phillips (Greenbox Events)

Working with festival heavyweights such as Kendal Calling, Shambala, Love Saves the Day, as well as sports and cultural events all over the UK, Greenbox Events have a wealth of experience in managing event waste and most importantly, pride themselves on site segregation and maximising recycling and composting rates. Don't miss this whistle-stop look at the dos and the don'ts and the best methods and advice for reducing waste and maximising recycling.

ROOM: 2

Moderator: Dale Vince OBE (Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers FC)

Speakers: Louis VI (Nature Ain't A Luxury), Sam Lee (Singing With Nightingales), Fay Milton (Music Declares Emergency)

We’re increasingly disconnected from nature, from each other, and from the political systems that govern and determine everything. Meanwhile, the climate crisis charges onward…

ROOM: 1

Moderator: Vikki Chapman (Live Nation UK & Ireland)

Speakers: Glenn Lyons (Mott MacDonald / University of West of England)

Nearly half of all brand-new cars sold in the UK last year were petrol- or diesel-powered-only and will remain in our car fleet until the late 2030s. So, is 50% enough? Is the glass half full or half empty when addressing transport decarbonisation? Is the transition rapid or too slow?…

ROOM: 2

Speaker: Louis VI (Nature Ain't A Luxury)

Rapper/multi-instrumentalist/activist Louis VI talks about how music/art/film and embracing our inner geek is the new tool to reconnecting with nature as a species and bringing those left out, particularly from the Black & Brown diaspora, into climate crisis action in a more authentic and relatable way.

ROOM: 1

Moderator: Adrian Bossey (Falmouth University)

Speakers: Jane Lovell (Canterbury Christ Church University), Andrew Lansley (University of Glocestershire), Dimitri Lera (Edge Hotel School - University of Essex)

The AEME (Association of Event Management Educators) returns to GEI, bringing together a panel of academics to discuss the sustainable employability skills for current and future generations of festival and event managers.

ROOM: 2

Moderator: Dale Vince (Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers F.C.)

Speakers: Andy Mead (Instagrid), Andy Hibberd (Ecotricity / Grid Faeries), Claire O'Neill (A Greener Future), Craig Hardeman (Power Logistics)

At GEI15 we addressed moving award from fossil fuels. A clear need for grid connections, battery and hybrid technology, energy efficiencies and proper spec'ing are key. So what's happened in the last year? What options are available to festivals and outdoor events, from funding, to support, to technology? We hear from green energy and battery technology experts Ecotricity, Grid Faeries and Instagrid.

ROOM: 1

Delicious climate-loving plant-based cuisine and an opportunity to relax and/or network before the afternoon’s panels commence. Plus, a special treat: a Devil’s Kitchen Shiitake Mushroom Burger, topped with a tangy slaw and served in a soft Hobbs House bun made with WILDFARMED’s flour. Get in there.

ROOM: FOYER

Moderator: John Robb (Louder Than War)

Speakers: Carol Scott (TAIT), Pauline Bourdon (Team Love / Soliphilia), Zarya Vrabcheva (Stufish Entertainment Architects)

What do we have in our toolbox today to design stages that mitigate the use of virgin materials, reduce emissions, and start working to the circular economy? What are the pinch points that hold us back and how do we overcome them? What are the new technologies and materials that we should explore and research to help green our stages?…

ROOM: 1

Moderator: Dominique Palmer (Climate Justice Activist/ Speaker, Storyteller/ Writer/ Advocate)

Speakers: Blaine Harrison (Mystery Jets), Feimatta Conteh (Arts Council England), Harry (Angharad) Jones (Team Love / Accessible Events).

There are more than 1 billion disabled people in the global population. Disabled people will experience the impact of climate change more than other groups because the solutions that enable access and support environmental sustainability can often oppose one another…

ROOM: 2

Speakers: Farah Ahmed (Julie’s Bicycle), Dr Teresa Moore (A Greener Future)

Farah Ahmed and Teresa Moore introduce the results of a joint research project between AIE, AGF, and JB, which explores how disabled people’s access to music and live events can be environmentally sustainable

ROOM: 2

Moderator: Patricia Yagüe (Live Nation)

Speakers: Carol Scott (TAIT / LIVE Green), Ross Patel (Whole Entertainment, Music Manager Forum), Tom Schroeder (Wasserman)

The days of sustainability being ‘a nice thing to do (if you have the time/the inclination/can be bothered)’ are very much a thing of the past. We’ve created and executed voluntary green riders, standards, and schemes for nearly two decades.

ROOM: 1

Moderator: Dr Teresa Moore (A Greener Future)

Speakers: Em Weirdigan (Green Gathering), Jak Hill (Green Gathering), Steve Muggeridge (Green Gathering)

We reveal the findings of new research carried out by The Green Gathering in association with A Greener Future and ask whether green festivals positively influence audience behaviours beyond the festival itself. The presentation includes a case study from the award-winning UK Festival Green Gathering.

ROOM: 2

Moderator: Abena Fairweather (Legacy Events)

Speakers: Ellie Kinney (Conflict and Environment Observatory)

More than 5% of global emissions are linked to militaries although countries continue to hide the true scale. But the climate costs of war and militaries can no longer be ignored…

ROOM: 2

Pause, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, network with sustainability leaders, and get ready for an afternoon bursting with engaging panel discussions, insightful presentations, and some surprises.

ROOM: FOYER