In this first newsletter of 2025 we introduce Vision for Sustainable Events - the new name for Vision: 2025. See below for more details about this change, what we do, and how we help the live events Industry to take action on the climate crisis.

In this newsletter:

• Stefan Edwards, Senior Events Officer at Bristol City Council, about his journey in event sustainability.
• Director of Green Gathering, Em Weirdigan, gives us an insight into the strategy behind the 2024 Green Festival Award win.
• Tim Benson talks Battery Energy Storage Systems and how to use them in progressive power managment planning.
• An overview of upcoming events and news from across the industry. 

Contact bethan@visionsustainableevents.org to share newsletter ideas, stories and queries.

Hundreds of organisations have used the Vision 2025 pledge as a framework for action, but now it’s time to stretch climate ambition to new horizons.

We shift to Vision for Sustainable Events ahead of a year that will see the launch of the Show Must Go On #3, which brings together work from across the sector to create a Climate Transition Plan 2030 for the live events industry: a clear and bold climate vision, providing an evidence base for action and advocacy for Government support. Find out more about Vision's history, network and plans HERE. 

Stefan Edwards is Senior Events Officer at Bristol City Council, he leads on commissioning Bristol Harbour Festival and Bristol Run.  Stefan’s started his career in events as a booking agent and gig-promotor and tour-managing in Europe and America, before becoming Operations Director for Wychwood Festival. Now living in Bristol, Stefan has increasingly specialised in event sustainability and was recently awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to research innovative approaches to decarbonising event power. Read his answers to our 20 monthly Green Leader Questions HERE. 

Last month we spoke to Kevin Mackay,  Sustainability Lead at DF Concerts, read his answers HERE

The Green Gathering won the A Greener Future 'Green Festival Award' at the 2024 UK Festival Awards (UKFA). It's the fourth time that they have received this prestigious title. We asked Em Weirdigan to share her insights into how they continue to improve on the sustainability practices and strategy that once again saw the festival scoop the prize. Read Em's insights HERE.

Chair of Powerful Thinking, Tim Benson, shares his views on making the transition to large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) a reality. Tim shows the range of BESS’ applications through a review of their use at 2024 events and suggests that a dramatic change in how we plan for power management is now required to ensure real progress: this means designing in alternatives as the norm and using the improved emissions data associated with these as a baseline – rather than direct comparison with business-as-usual power management models. Read the full article HERE. 

Photo: Battery Energy Storage System at Lollapalooza, Chicago, 2024

Calling all outdoor Event Organisers! Join onboard:earth, the charity on a mission to move low carbon travel into the heart of live events, for networking drinks and knowledge sharing on how to tackle the impacts of travel, on 4th February 2025, 17:00-19:00, Bristol. 

The gathering is open to event organisers and is arranged for the evening before the Association of Independent Festival (AIF) congress.  It's a chance to connect with other festivals, get a sneak preview of tools and resources to measure, record and understand scope 1-3 travel impacts and celebrate the positive impacts for environmental restoration projects.  RSVP is essential as places are limited. Contact bethan@onboard.earth by 3rd Jan to save your space.

Get an Environmental Champion on your Board of Trustees with Julie's Bicycle and put environmental ambition and responsibility at the centre of your organisation's governance.

Designed for Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) and Investment Principle Support Organisations (IPSOs), the Board Environmental Champions Programme enables Boards to embed environmental responsibility within their organisations at governance level. Find out more and sign up HERE 

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) will host the next Festival Congress on the 5th February 2025 in Bristol with a full day’s conference and an evening networking event.

Event sustainability is always represented in the schedule: this year Hannah Cox, Director of betternotstop and Vision for Sustainable Events Forum member presents, 'Small steps, big impact: 10 cost-effective sustainable ideas that work.'

The programme includes lightning talks, breakout workshops, keynotes, fireside chats and a host of experts and inspiring individuals and organisations from across the festival and event world. Get your tickets HERE.

The 2025 Event Production Show will return to ExCeL London on the 26th and 27th of February 2025.

The full line up for the Event Production Show (EPS) main stage conference has been announced: With key representatives from across the live events ecosystem, including sports, live music, arts and major brand activation agency execs. Read the conference lineup and book your place HERE.

The Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI17) will once again bring together global innovators and sector leaders to share, network, and accelerate environmental and social actions to make impactful changes in all kinds of events. The 17th edition will take place on 25th February 2025 at the Royal Lancaster London. Tickets and programme info HERE. 

Our selected news picks from across the Live Events Industry and beyond, including jobs, events, blogs, reports, and what the Vision: 2025 team has been watching, listening to, and reading this month:

• Green Events Code of Practice (GECoP) for Local Authorities Pilot Project key findings report will be launched next week! Find out more about GECoP HERE. 
• Network of Women in Events (NOWIE) has launched The Big Survey to change and shape policies for a more inclusive, equitable future: HERE
• Lime Venue Portfolio launch new series of ‘E’ Guides on Environmental Event Planning HERE.
• Vok Dams, event marketing specialists, have created the SDG Event Compass, a guide to planning sustainable events using Sustainable Development Goals HERE. 

Our newsletter reaches over 4,800 UK event professionals interested in sustainability. Send jobs, events, resources and articles to feature here to: info@visionsustainableevents.org