Stuart WoodA new report examining the environmental impact of the UK events industry has been released, ahead of World Environment Day on 5 June.
It says that the industry uses an estimated 380 million litres of diesel every year, costing an estimated £230m.
That diesel use contributes to 1.2 billion kilograms of CO2e emissions every year, approximately the same as the country of Malta.
The report was put together by Hope Solutions and power management specialists ZAP Concepts, using data from A Greener Festival, Julie’s Bicycle, Powerful Thinking and data collected from ZAP.
It also found that diesel use in generators at events equates to nearly 1.5% of total UK diesel use, and that diesel generators are often not optimised for efficiency. The average efficiency of generators was between 10-20%, with the ideal range being 50-70%.
Unoptimised diesel generators emit seven times more pollutants than power sources connected to the grid.
Luke Howell, founder & director Hope Solutions, said: “Our findings show event sites in green spaces have worse air quality than inner-city areas, indicating a huge hidden contributor to the growing public health epidemic from air pollution.
“We are releasing this report to open up the conversation with the industry to effect positive and practical change, without diminishing customer experience. For the organisers, every litre of diesel not used is saving money and contributing to the fight against climate change.”
Rob Scully, head of operations, ZAP Concepts UK, added: “On average the UK event industry could reduce diesel consumption by 40% without risking any loss of power, any blackouts or any detrimental effect on the quality of the events.
“Venue managers and event managers should take professional advice in order to properly direct their power contractor and ensure that available power is matched to actual demand and where possible introduce renewables and other alternatives.
“The show must go on but it could go on in a far more sustainable manner, without risking people’s health and without risking the planet.”
The full report can be viewed here.