Sustainable Event Management: A Study of Environmental Sustainability at UK Music Festivals

Abstract

Music festivals are part of a thriving sector within the events industry, offering distinct, unforgettable experiences for music-lovers around the world. However, despite generating numerous societal benefits, the festival industry inevitably has a considerable impact on the environment. It is therefore vital that event organisers take the responsibility to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to minimise negative environmental impacts, and support the sustainable future of festivals and events. The purpose of this study is to identify the major environmental sustainability challenges associated with UK music festivals and the steps that festival organisers are taking in response to these challenges to ensure the sustainable development of the events. Following an in-depth review of relevant literature, key themes and concepts were identified within the context of sustainable event management, shaping the nature of the study. Telephone interviews were conducted as part of a qualitative research strategy, providing a deeper understanding of the topic based on the subjective views and personal experience of the festival organisers. The study presents a comprehensive analysis and discussion of the data collected from the interviews whilst reflecting on the literature review to acknowledge links with previous research and identify any potential areas that may benefit from additional research for future studies. The research successfully highlights the varying environmental sustainability challenges faced by music festival organisers and illustrates the measures that are in place to address these challenges.