Goals
This Code of Conduct for sustainable festival culture is a follow-up to the Code of Conduct for sustainable club culture. The goals were adapted for festivals and open airs with stakeholders from the scene as part of the roundtables for green outdoor events of Clubtopia.
Download the English version HERE.
Participating festivals
The following festivals have already commited to the Code of Conduct for sustainable festival culture: Feel Festival, Futur 2 Festival, Wilde Möhre Festival, Prærie Festival, Lusatia Festival, Wumms, Mit Dir Festival, Fluid Festival, Sonnentor Kollektiv, Sea You Festival, Modular Festival, Rocken am Brocken, Orange Blossom Special Festival, Breminale, Chimaera Festival, Kiek Beyond Festival, Burning Stone / Vakant Kollektiv, SNNTG Festival, Entropie Festival, Pinot and Rock, Klangsubstanz Festival, Überland Festival und Good2U.
Communication
1. Sustainability Concept
We follow a sustainability concept that is tailored specifically to festivals and events.
The present Code of Conduct can either be used as a sustainability concept itself or serve as a foundation for developing one. Depending on the specific festival or outdoor event, additional areas of action can be added. The Code of Conduct has been designed in such a way that the selected goals contribute as efficiently as possible to socially responsible environmental and climate protection at the festival or outdoor event, as well as to a sustainable societal transformation.
2. Internal Communication
We will establish a sustainability team dedicated to achieving our sustainability goals.
To fulfil this role, a responsible person or team will be allocated an agreed amount of time, budget, and the authority to initiate key decision-making processes. Referring to them as the “sustainability role”, helps to ease the responsibility of individual persons. The responsible individual or team can change as agreed. The goal is to ensure that the sustainability objectives become part of the team’s philosophy and to embed sustainable practice throughout the entire team.
3. External Communication
We are committed to a sustainable festival scene and encourage open dialogue on this topic. From now on, we will develop a strategy for communicating our sustainability efforts.
With this communication plan, we aim to present our sustainable initiatives in an accessible way to the public. It will outline all activities and channels through which we engage with our employees, involved collectives, guests, artists, suppliers, and other stakeholders (such as the local community, political entities, etc.) to raise awareness and promote sustainability. Already implemented measures and potential savings serve as good reasons to communicate this.
Avoiding Greenhouse Gas Emissions
1. Monitoring
We will establish a monitoring system to track our resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions across all areas, particularly in mobility.
This will help us understand which climate and resource protection measures should take priority for our event. If data is not yet available in specific areas, the first step will be to systematically collect this data.
2. Avoiding and Reducing
We prioritise the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions over local compensation.
Before opting for compensation, we will try to reduce our CO2 emissions through energy-saving measures, the use of renewable energy sources, and the adoption of eco-friendly mobility options.
3. Compensation
If avoiding or reducing greenhouse gas emissions is not possible, we will calculate the total emissions and offset them generously.
When compensating, we ensure that we choose reputable providers who offer solutions that are local (in the immediate area of the festival or open-air event), efficient (timely and with adequate safety buffers), secure (guaranteed for the long term), and transparent (providing visibility of the projects funded, ideally with a “Gold Standard” certification).
Mobility
1. Visitor and Crew Mobility
We encourage environmentally friendly travel options for our visitors, staff, and crew members.
We aim to reduce individual motorised transport and support sustainable travel options such as public transport, cycling, and carpooling.
2. Logistics
We work to reduce our traffic-related greenhouse gas emissions (from own transport activities) and primarily collaborate with local and regional service providers.
By organising efficient pre- and post-production, we avoid unnecessary journeys. Through smart routing, eco-friendly transport options, and traffic reduction, we minimise greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. We also focus on sourcing materials regionally.
3. Booking
We encourage artists to travel in an environmentally friendly way and aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through both internal and external booking.
Internal and external bookers provide information in advance about eco-friendly travel options. Artists will, where possible, travel to the festival site using public transport or shared shuttle services.
Energy
1. Climate-Friendly Power Supply
Where possible, we use existing fixed power connections and purchase green electricity from a provider that meets the standards of the “Grüner Strom Label” or “OK Power Plus Label”.
If a connection to the power grid is not possible, we opt for climate-friendly energy sources such as solar power and gradually phase out the use of diesel or oil-powered electricity and heating sources. We ensure optimal use of devices and reduce energy consumption through sufficiency and efficiency.
2. Lighting
When selecting light sources, we take energy efficiency into account and use LED technology only.
For new purchases of light sources, we choose the most energy-efficient technology with the lowest levels of pollutants. Inefficient light sources (e.g. incandescent bulbs, halogen lamps, and older fluorescent lights) are immediately replaced and properly disposed of.
3. Cooling Systems
In the bars on the festival site and backstage, we use refrigeration units that meet the appropriate climate class and the highest energy efficiency class. We optimise the operation of existing devices and dispose refrigeration units that can no longer be optimised correctly.
For sponsored refrigerators, we contact beverage suppliers to encourage the replacement of inefficient ones or those unsuitable for festival use. We reduce energy consumption by using existing cooling equipment and capacities only to the necessary extent and handle the equipment in an energy-efficient manner.
4. Heating and Air Conditioning
We heat or cool the rooms of permanent buildings (e.g. offices, backstage areas) efficiently, in an environmentally friendly manner, and according to demand.
We do not heat or cool semi-open, temporary structures such as tents or stages. We avoid using gas or blower heaters. In events held on days with temperatures under 12°C, we may use electric infrared heaters if necessary. On hot days, we utilise passive cooling methods and provide enough shaded areas for visitors.
Ressources
1. Saving Water
We treat water as the precious resource it is and aim to reduce our use of drinking water.
Where possible, we provide eco-toilets for visitors and staff that operate without water or chemicals. We implement water-saving measures at all washbasins, showers, toilets and behind the bar.
2. Water Protection
We aim to minimise water pollution across the festival site. We ask all contractors to avoid cleaning products containing microplastics or harmful chemicals. Visitors are encouraged to use eco-friendly hygiene products.
In doing so, we reduce the risk of polluting water sources through chemical residues or microplastics released during washing and showering. We also raise awareness of the environmental impact of urinating outdoors and the contamination of lakes and rivers.
3. Tap Water
We promote the use of tap water as a climate- and resource-friendly alternative to bottled or canned water.
We see water as a public good and install (barrier-free) drinking water points around the festival site.
4. Wood and Paper
We strive to use wood and paper sparingly and to reuse building materials.
When sourcing construction material, we look for those that meet environmental standards such as the “Blauer Engel” or FSC certification. We also ensure that materials can be reused or properly disposed of for recycling after the festival.
Waste and Procurement
1. Waste Reduction
Wherever it is within our control, we aim to avoid waste. Together with our team, we develop a zero-waste strategy.
Before making any purchase, we ask ourselves whether existing resources can be used, repaired or borrowed instead.
2. Waste Separation
From now on we implement a waste separation system that is applied across all areas of the festival, helping us reduce the amount of residual waste.
We ensure clear separation of paper, recyclables, glass and general waste, and dispose of hazardous waste in an environmentally friendly and proper manner. Wherever possible, we also provide bins for organic waste. Additionally, we take further steps to reduce waste overall.
3. Avoiding Plastic
We reduce our plastic waste and eliminate the use of single-use plastics entirely.
During pre-production, we purchase in bulk wherever possible and avoid unnecessary packaging. We also encourage our guests to refrain from bringing or using single-use plastic.
4. Durability
When new purchases are necessary, we prioritise reusability, repairability, and long-lasting products.
We also ensure that any new products meet recognised environmental standards (e.g. “Blauer Engel”). After use, materials should be easy to dispose of responsibly or be recycled. All old equipment (including small devices) is disposed of correctly.
Catering
1. Sustainability Criteria for Catering
We set clear sustainability criteria for our catering services and food stalls. The food and drinks available at our festival are sourced and delivered as sustainably as possible.
We aim to use organic, regional and seasonal produce wherever we can, and we primarily offer vegetarian and vegan options.
2. Reusables over Disposables
At our bars and food stalls, we prioritise reusable over disposable items.
We use reusable containers at our bars, such as deposit cups and refillable bottles. Food for guests, crew and artists is served in reusable dishes.
3. Food Waste
We work to avoid food waste at our food stalls and in crew catering.
Through careful planning, offering different portion sizes and collaborating with food-saving initiatives, we help ensure that surplus food doesn’t end up in the bin.
Nature Conservation
1. Nature and Area Conservation
We respect the locations where we celebrate and aim to leave the festival site or open-air space in a natural state.
We ensure that all waste, both pre-existing and our own, is properly disposed of. Whenever possible, we aim to enhance the festival or open-air area, transforming it into a place where both people and nature feel comfortable.
2. Species Protection
We show consideration for the animals and plants, their habits, breeding times, and resting periods.
To do this, we research in advance and take necessary measures to protect their habitats and avoid disturbing their routines. We focus particularly on critical times, such as breeding seasons and winter dormancy.
3. Soil, Water, and Tree Protection
We avoid pollutants and hazardous substances that could harm the soil and water.
Specifically, we ensure that cigarette butts are fully collected, and hazardous substances like oil, washing water, urine, and similar are kept away from the ground. We protect the bark and roots of trees and prevent soil compaction by vehicles and unnecessary travel.
4. Noise and Light Emissions
We limit noise and light to the necessary minimum, ensuring they are in harmony with the natural environment.
For this, we use insect-friendly lighting and only illuminate areas that genuinely need it. We prioritise lighting that is directed on the ground and avoid using lighting during the daytime whenever possible. Sound systems are only used during sound checks and the event itself to minimise noise exposure and allow nature to have its rest periods.
Social Aspects
1. Awareness Concept
We are developing an internal awareness concept that defines who is part of the awareness team, both internally and externally, and who is responsible for awareness topics during the festival and in everyday work.
We discuss within our team what awareness means to us and how we can achieve it. We use non-violent communication and discrimination-sensitive language both internally and externally.
2. Reducing Inequalities
Through guidelines on the festival grounds, we support the pursuit of reducing inequalities in our society.food stalls, we prioritise reusable over disposable items.
We consider social aspects such as removing barriers, enhancing diversity among visitors, artists, and staff, enabling participation, gender equality, combating racism and sexism, and supporting the LGBTQI+ community.
3. Educational Offerings
We are jointly responsible for the well-being of our visitors, artists, and staff.
Preventive measures, such as providing educational offerings, help us deal with issues like diversity and equality, climate protection, and drug use. During our festival or open-air event, we offer learning and informational opportunities.