Although last year was characterised by instability and geopolitical tensions, 25 festivals and events spanning 12 countries and 4 continents demonstrated their commitment to a better, greener future, successfully achieving AGF Certification in 2025.
A Greener Future (AGF)’s mission is to help the event sector become greener, promoting sustainability at events and festivals across the globe. AGF Certification is based on the world’s first and most practical framework for sustainability in the event sector, for those reducing emissions, waste, and enhancing equality and biodiversity.
Events and festivals of all shapes and sizes demonstrated their commitment to sustainability in 2025. These include perennially green fests such as Boom Festival in Portugal and Belgium’s Paradise City – both of which have stitched sustainability into their DNA. Echoes of Earth in India returns with a bang. Whilst events enjoying first-time recognition include the beyond legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, Ultra Music Festival in Miami, and AEG Presents’ brand-new LIDO Festival in London, whose battery powered main stage hosted headliners such as Massive Attack and Charlie xcx.
To be certified, events undertake a thorough assessment including a self-assessment, site visits from independent assessors, and post-event evidence submitted for an independent auditors’ report. The AGF Framework includes 11 key themes, including local environments & community, travel, food, energy, water, materials, EDI, and governance.
“Congratulations to all of the certified events in 2025, who have continued to prioritise their commitment to protecting our planet and each other, despite some so called world leaders demonstrating the opposite intentions. We’re looking forward to coming together and celebrating at GEI and the International AGF Awards in London next month.” Claire O’Neill, CEO, AGF
“The AGF certification played a decisive role in accelerating and structuring our sustainability journey. While the Montreux Jazz Festival had already implemented various initiatives – from waste management to soft mobility and responsible partnerships – these efforts remained fragmented. The certification process came at a pivotal moment, just as we were beginning a more holistic reflection on our environmental, social, and economic impact. It enabled us to align our internal objectives around a shared vision of sustainability, build a clear and measurable roadmap, foster collaborations with committed experts and local partners, and strengthen our credibility with our stakeholders.” Mathieu Jaton, Director, Montreux Jazz Festival
“We’re thrilled to see the industry-leading efforts of LIDO Festival recognised by this prestigious AGF certification. Having independent verification of the outstanding work that the team undertook in 2025 is hugely important and we cannot wait to continue setting a new standard for sustainability in live events through 2026 and beyond.” Sam Booth, Sustainability Director, AEG / LIDO Festival
“It was an honour to finally participate in AGF’s certification programme, something we’ve aspired to do for years! The process challenged us to ask meaningful questions, recognise the impact we’ve made, and identify how we can continue to grow. We’re so proud to have achieved certification from this globally respected organisation and excited to continue participating in the programme in the future.” Vivian Belzaguy, Director of Sustainability, Ultra Music Festival
“Paradise City has always been about more than just music. It’s about building a world – even if only for a weekend – that feels hopeful, positive, and future-minded. Being rated ‘Outstanding’ for the sixth year in a row is both an honour and a responsibility. It reminds us that joyful celebration and climate consciousness can go hand in hand. Every year, we ask ourselves the same question: how can we do better? And with every solution we find, new opportunities for improvement appear too. That constant pursuit of better drives us, and we don’t take our role lightly. If we can set an example for what a sustainable festival can look like, then we’re on the right track.” Lucas Trouessin, Paradise City
Certified Festivals & Events in 2025:
Greener Festival & Event certifications – Outstanding
Boom Festival (PT)
DGTL (NL)
Øyafestivalen (NO)
Paradise City (BE)
Greener Festival & Event certifications – Highly Commended
Green Man (UK)
LIDO Festival (UK)
Montreux Jazz Festival (CH)
Sonidos Líquidos (ES)
Greener Festival & Event certifications – Commended
Copenhagen Film Festival Forum (DK)
Cridem pel Clima (ES)
Echoes of Earth (IN)
Estonian Fashion Festival (EE)
Godiva Festival (UK)
Greener Festival and Event certifications – Improvers
Cordillera Festival (CO)
D’A Festival Cinema Barcelona (ES)
elrow Town Madrid (ES)
Jardín de las Delicias (ES)
Monegros Desert Festival (ES)
Phe Festival (ES)
Primavera Sound Barcelona (ES)
Rockygrass and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (US)
Serielizados International TV Series Festival (ES)
Telluride Bluegrass Festival (US)
Ultra Music Festival (US)
We Out Here (UK)
Certified events and festivals will be presented with their accolades during a special ceremony at the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI18), in partnership with ILMC, which takes place 24th February in London.
All certified events are also automatically nominated for the annual International AGF Awards 2026, sponsored by Skydiamond, which recognise the most innovative and green-aspiring events, venues, organisations, and individuals from across the globe in the last 12 months.
There are more festivals and events currently completing their assessments, which will be announced soon, and assessment applications for 2026 are open. Find out more and apply here.
About AGF Certifications
AGF Certification have been developed over 18 years in consultation with hundreds of events, event services, suppliers, and sustainability experts across the key areas assessed. Each application involves a detailed self-assessment, on-site independent audit, post-event supporting evidence analysis, and improvement recommendations. The assessment includes 11 categories: Governance & Systems, Local Environments, Local Community, Travel & Transport, Energy & Power, Procurement, Food & Beverage, Waste & Recycling, Water & Sanitation, External Reach & Behaviour Change, and Carbon Footprint.
To be awarded AGF Certification, events must apply for an assessment and provide evidence, such as fuel or electricity and water usage, waste transfer notes, transport measurements, procurements policies and traceability, and survey data. Applicants also need to address set requirements, and based on their performance against these, can be given the following grades: Improver, Commended, Highly Commended, and Outstanding. Assessments are completed by trained sustainable event auditors and recommendations are made for improvements year on year. https://www.agreenerfuture.com/
About A Greener Future
AGF is a not-for-profit company committed to helping events, festivals, and venues around the world towards sustainability. AGF provides certification, education and training, consultancy, resources and green riders, facilitating the exchange and implementation of good ideas. They share information about how environmentally efficient methods are currently being employed at events and how the impact on the environment can be limited at future events. They offer independent assessment and verification of sustainability claims through the AGF Certification for festivals, venues, tours, and events; plus sustainability diagnosis and detailed carbon footprinting. www.agreenerfuture.com
About GEI
GEI is the foremost conference for sustainability for the events sector organised in partnership with the worlds leading platform for the live music and entertainment sector, the International Live Music Summit (ILMC) www.agreenerfuture.com/gei
Contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk