Rethinking Sustainability in Events

When people think of sustainability at events, they often focus on technical features like reusable cups, solar-powered stages, or e-tickets. While these are important, they miss a deeper potential: the ability of events to spark long-term cultural change. If done right, festivals and gatherings can be more than moments of enjoyment, they can become movements that reshape how people think, feel, and act in their everyday lives. This blog explores how cultural, and music festivals can do more than entertain by being thoughtfully designed, they can inspire real behavioural change toward sustainability in both organisers and participants. Why Event Organisers Matter More Than You Think Sustainable behaviour at events doesn’t begin with the audience, it starts behind the scenes. The organisers set the tone. Their choices about venue, materials, communication, partnerships, and even pricing shape how participants experience sustainability. If these choices are clear, meaningful, and consist...

In times of crisis, events are often seen as signs of hope. A concert, a cultural festival, or a sports tournament can symbolise a return to normal life and offer emotional relief. During and after COVID-19, many organisers promoted virtual events and hybrid formats to keep people connected. But while these efforts were important, not everyone had equal access to this new normal. This blog looks at how post-crisis events may help some groups recover while leaving others behind. We ask: Who do these events serve and who do they forget? Virtual Inclusion or Digital Divide? During the COVID-19 pandemic, many events moved online. From international conferences to local music shows, organisers embraced digital platforms like Zoom and YouTube Live. These virtual events were praised for being safer and more accessible. However, this shift exposed a deep inequality in access to technology. According to Chun et al. (2024), There are still many people in the world who lacked reliable internet ac...

To explore how large-scale events affect local communities, especially when those communities experience more disruption than benefit. When a big event comes to a city like a music festival, a sports tournament, or an international summit it often brings promises of tourism, income, and cultural celebration. But for many people living nearby, the reality is not so simple. While events may help a city’s image, they can also leave lasting problems for the local community. In this blog, we look at the impact of major events on local people. Do these events really support communities, or do they only serve organisers, sponsors, and visitors? And how can events be fairer to those who call the host city home? The Problem Behind the Celebration Big events often require major changes to public spaces, transport systems, and local policies. In theory, these changes are meant to improve the city. But in practice, they can push out low-income residents, raise prices, and disrupt daily life. A cle...

"You influence the world by what you say and do at events." A sentiment that captures the power, promise, and paradox of the events industry in the age of sustainability. From climate pledges to zero-waste promises, organisers around the world increasingly label their events as "green." But are these events genuinely contributing to environmental sustainability, or simply indulging in greenwashing to appeal to a more eco-conscious audience? This blog critically examines the legitimacy and limitations of so-called "green events" in the contemporary events industry. Using academic insights and real-world examples, it argues that greenwashing is not merely a marketing issue but a systemic risk that undermines the credibility and impact of sustainability efforts. Understanding the Promise: What are Green Events? Green events are broadly defined as those which aim to reduce negative environmental impacts through sustainable planning, operations, and logistics (...