The Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) welcomed over 400 delegates to the Royal Lancaster London for the 18th edition on 24th February, uniting Industry leaders, artists, indigenous voices, scientists, and more.

The event tackled critical sustainability topics and demonstrated that the events sector is leading the way in innovation, collaboration, and creativity to reduce environmental impacts, and that going green makes financial sense.

Many deep and moving discussions took place throughout the day, demonstrating a united stance on standing up for values, listening, and bringing people together, rather than feeding division.

Dale Vince OBE (Ecotricity) and Kneecap’s manager, Dan Lambert, were hosted by Claire O’Neill (AGF) and gave first-hand insights in Cancel Me, Cancel You: Values, Boycotts and Cancel Culture.  Lambert said “At Coachella, [Kneecap] went to say something no one else was willing to say. But they said something factual and correct. They’re not easy decisions, but you have to make each one on its own merits. If you’re brave enough to speak, actually speak,” adding “it’s far more important for [the band] to have credibility.”

Both reflected on the backlash from powerful figures, politicians, and media, especially when speaking up for Palestine. Despite the kickback and various threats, the duo agreed that taking a stand is more important than all else. “The things we’re saying are truths, and we can’t be prevented from saying them,” Vince concluded.

Vince also joined Chris Packham CBE to introduce Saturday Night Beaver with Ecotalk, in which they discussed ways that we can protect nature. Packham said “At festivals, when they get there and are in a receptive state, it’s a perfect place to say think about that but think about this ,” with Vince going on to slam the impacts of the food industry: “We’re being abused by big food. It cowers our government, and the right wing media assists that.”

In EarthPercent Hour, Anna Calvi said, “A child looks at the world and thinks it’s incredible and that gives you hope, and I think that inspired me to be more proactive.” While David Gray spoke passionately about his fundraising for restoring a salt marsh. “I wanted to do something more direct and relatable.” Adding “I don’t see much evidence of caring for the natural world. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every venue had a [charity that it raised funds for] or was at least involved in raising awareness for what was local to it.”

He continued “So it’s not just a picture of a kingfisher on the website of Live Nation, or whatever, because they gave 50 grand to somebody last year. It’s something much more meaningful. It’s those people taking the time to become involved in something… Without the connection and the love of what’s there, an understanding of taking our place within the world of nature, how are we going to preserve it?”

Delegates were inspired by critically acclaimed immersive audiovisual project TAKKUUK, featuring a mindblowing performance from Katarina Barruk in the endangered indigenous Ume Sámi language, and heard about Sam Fender’s 100% eHGV European Tour, Hannah Cox running 100 marathons in 100 days across a colonial customs line in India, and Ash Perrin’sThe Flying Seagull Project that entertains children in refugee camps and war zones.

AGF launched their digital platform for green event and venue certifications, digitalising 20 years of sustainability expertise in Industry Initiatives: Research and Tools for a Greener Live Sector, alongside industry research case studies. The session closed with Green Deal Circular Festivals handing the reins of its green festival community over to YOUROPE.

Water security was the main topic of Riders on the Storm, which explored climate adaptation for events, with Dr Mohammad Shamsudduha (University College London) stating that “The most underestimated risk to this sector is water stress. We think about being climate neutral. We need to start thinking about being water neutral.” 

Solutions for renewable energy for all venues were discussed in Green Light For Venues: Live Events Energy Scheme (LEES). LEES is a collaboration founded to provide an “energy basket” purchasing model to access affordable renewable energy for venues with Ecotricity. Patricia Yagüe (Live Nation) highlighted that “Sustainability now makes sense financially.” 

In Beyond the Burger Van, hosted by Clare Every (Little London Vegan), Petra Daniëls (Paradise City, Belgium) said, “You can still make money by being plant-based.” Adding, “We should be aware of the possible impact we can make; we can really drive change in a positive way.” In A Greener Tour Round VI, Jamal Chalabi (AGF / Backlash Productions) said a way forward is to “pay the arena for the electricity for the trucks, instead of fossil fuel companies, so it’s a win-win,” and Françoise Cardoso (L-Acoustics) said that “Profit and sustainability go hand in hand.”

The social, economic, and environmental impacts of AI on the industry were also discussed in AI and Sustainability – highlighting the increase in water consumption by using AI. “[It uses up] one bottle of water for every 100 words on Chat GPT, which gives you some sort of scale,” stated A Greener Future’s Dr Teresa Moore.

Elsewhere, industry leaders shared solutions for audience travel and touring emissions, from product manufacturing to lifecycle analysis to slow touring; How to Achieve a 90% Recycling Rate presented insights from LIDO Festival and Radio 2 Big Weekend; Sustainable Cities: Taking Diesel Out Of Events brought together teams from Liverpool UN Accelerator City, Bristol City Council, and Massive Attack’s Act 1.5 to explore real-world initiatives and the critical role cities can play in accelerating the transition to cleaner, greener event ecosystems.

And in Room 3, an additional space for this year, 12 important reports and case studies were presented, including: Touring: Climate & Sustainability Policy Research; Deep Dive Into Toilets: The Loos You Choose; Climate Transition Plan 2030 For UK Outdoor Events; and Big Team’s No Sustainability Without Diversity.

The International AGF Awards sponsored by Skydiamond concluded the day. Madame Gandhi performed an amazing live set before the event, and winners included M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, UK;  DGTL, The Netherlands; and Sam Fender’s People Watching for a 100% electric truck tour. View all winners here.

GEI is a partnership between green event pioneers A Greener Future (AGF) and the world’s leading platform for the live music and entertainment sector, the International Live Music Conference (ILMC), and was kindly supported by Ecotricity Business, TAIT, AEG & The O2.

More information at agreenerfuture.com