The Greener Festival Awards scheme recognises and rewards festivals who have made significant steps in reducing their environmental impact. A key feature of the Greener Festival Awards scheme is the Independent Report prepared by the Environmental Assessor. This, alongside the Self Assessment submitted by the Festival and any supporting documentation, will form the basis of the Award Committee™s decision. However the Independent Report is critical and guides the Committees decision.
There are four categories of the Greener Festival Award:
- Outstanding for truly outstanding and inspirational events. These need to be exceptional events who have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, have excellent travel, transport and waste management programmes, protect the environment and minimise water use and communicate this to the public.
- Highly Commended for well managed environmentally aware festivals which have taken significant steps to reduce waste, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and engage with the audience.
- Commended for well-managed, environmentally aware festivals.
- Improving for festivals at the beginning of the green journey that can exhibit at least some clear understanding of and competence for the basic principles of green events.
Award Process:
The award process will be handled in South Africa by the Event Greening Forum and the steps can be outlined as follows:
- The festival needs to confirm intention to apply and pay the application fee at least one month prior to their event;
- An independent assessor is appointed usually two passes will be allocated by the festival organisers;
- The independent assessor visits the event and then prepares the independent report;
- The festival submits their self-assessment and supporting documents within two months after the event;
- The assessor submits their report and all supporting documentation they have received within two months after the event;
- The deadline for Awards will be made available on an annual basis and the UK team meets up to do the final assessment.