Christopher BarrettMassive Attack has unveiled full details of the sustainability measures to be taken at the band’s 25 August, Act 1.5, Bristol event on Clifton Downs to make it the lowest carbon show of its size ever staged.
The Bristol band’s Robert Del Naja said that the production for the show is pioneering in all aspects of decarbonisation and will create a blueprint for the way live shows can be produced.
“The scale of innovations and emissions reductions will speak for themselves,” he said.
The Act 1.5 show will see Ecotricity and the Grid Faeries bring what they claim to be the largest battery yet seen in the UK for a music event. They claim the battery will replace the 2,000 litres of diesel that would otherwise have been needed by diesel generators, saving 5,340kg of carbon emissions and removing the smell and noise of traditional generators.
Ecotricity founder Dale Vince OBE said, “The UK festival community uses in excess of 12 million litres of diesel annually. We are excited to collaborate with Massive Attack to deliver a truly zero emission live event together. Our Second Life Batteries will provide clean power to onsite equipment. At the same time, our first life batteries will power Newport Bus vehicles to provide a zero emission way to get to and from the venue.”
Among the many sustainability measures taken will be the entire festival site and all operations being powered by 100% renewable energy, a zero to landfill waste policy, 100% compostable toilets, and all ground transport being 100% electric.
A Greener Future CEO Claire O’Neil said, “This gig is seriously pulling out all the stops and has assembled excellent forward-thinking organisations and individuals to make this the lowest carbon event possible, setting a new green standard to aspire to. It’s no small undertaking, and impressive to see what can be achieved when the people in charge really mean it.”
The measures in full:
- A 48-hour pre-sale period for Bristol region postcodes.
- Five show special trains operating one hour after the Network Rail schedule is closed – with routes predicated on anonymised ticket holder postcode data.
- Rail incentive scheme, offering any ticket holders travelling outside Bristol wristband access to a VIP (‘very important process’) bar and toilets.
- Entire festival site and all operations powered by 100% renewable energy & battery.
- Free show electric bus shuttles to and from Bristol Temple Meads and Parkway stations.
- No private vehicle car parks on or adjacent to the festival site.
- Meticulous spec’ing of energy and energy efficient equipment chosen to reduce overall demand.
- 100% plant-based food outlets, using localised food supply chain.
- Reusable cup system on all bars, encouraging audience to bring their own reusables containers.
- Food waste prevention plan + redistribution of any surplus food.
- 100% zero to landfill waste policy.
- Food waste separation to be composted – all serve ware to be 100% compostable
- Biomethane / Verified HVO (100% waste product/no virgin land use) vehicle waste removal.
- 100% compostable toilets.
- All site infrastructure shared with an existing festival on the same site – no “new build” emissions.
- Long wheelbase, fully electric, trucks to assist all build and battery movement.
- Lighting 100% solar and electric battery
- LED and low energy efficient lighting prioritised for all stage production and artistic lighting.
- All feasible Massive Attack tour routes taken by rail.
- All ground transport 100% electric vehicle fleets.
- All support acts encouraged to travel by rail
- Supplier transport 100% electrified or 100% waste product – RFAS verified drop in HVO fuel (the show will operate a refuelling tank on site for vehicle departures).
- Advance prioritising fewest trucks, shortest journeys and lowest mileage. Prioritising lightweight, space efficient and local equipment.
- The creation of a new, permanent climate resilient woodland of 19,150 native oak trees in James Wood near Taunton – 44miles from Bristol. The land comprises 85 acres of former farmland and unmanaged woodland and provides education, carbon capture, flood resilience and a rich area of biodiversity.
- Development of power substation + feeder pillars to offer all festival, event, show and film production activities on Bristol Downs (plus new vehicle charging capacity) electrification via 100% renewable energy.
Massive Attack will be supported by acts including Killer Mike, Lankum and Sam Morton on the main stage, while a separate area will host a range of live panel discussions on subjects including climate change, capitalism, Gaza and black history in Bristol.