AGF (A Greener Future) is a leader in helping the global live sector become greener. AGF Certification is the world’s first and most comprehensive standard for sustainability in the live events sector, for festivals and events reducing waste, emissions, and enhancing equality and biodiversity.
Events and festivals from across the globe, of all shapes and sizes, have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and successfully certified events in 2024. These include Les Escales (FR), Bristol Harbour Festival (UK), Paléo Festival (CH), American Express Presents BST Hyde Park (UK), Telluride (US), Sziget Festival (HU), Rosendal Garden Party (SE), UEC Road European Championships (BE), and D’A Film Festival Barcelona (ES), whilst Green Gathering (UK), Øyafestivalen (NO), Paradise City (BE) and We Love Green (FR) each achieved ‘outstanding’ certification.
AGF CEO Claire O’Neill said: “Whilst the world is slowly catching up with legislation and better practices, it is great to see the festivals and events going the extra mile beyond what is legally required to protect and enhance biodiversity; reduce emissions and waste; prevent pollution; and enact positive change. These events are opting to be held to account, inviting detailed external scrutiny to ensure they are making the grade.”
To be certified, events undertake a thorough assessment based upon the AGF Framework, including self-assessment, site visits, and post-event evidence and data submitted to AGF assessors for an independent auditors’ report. The AGF Framework includes 11 key themes, including local ecosystems & community, travel, food, energy, water, waste, EDI, and governance.
Øyafestivalen festival said:
“Øyafestivalen has a mission to diligently deliver one of the most sustainable festival experiences worldwide, employing strategies aimed at minimizing the negative effects and maximizing the positive effects of our festival on the environment, the society and economy. To achieve the Outstanding certification for the 11th time is an important and motivating testament to our hardworking and passionate staff and volunteers. We are so proud of this recognition, and we are wholeheartedly committed to continuing this work in the years ahead.”
Open Air St Gallen festival said:
“We are delighted that OpenAir St.Gallen has been officially certified by A Greener Future! A Greener Future and its certification programme are to a certain extent the gold standard in the event industry – both in terms of ecological and social sustainability. OpenAir St.Gallen is convinced that as a society, our sustainable goals can only be achieved together. That’s why it was important for us to challenge our sustainable engagement internationally and recognize our blind spots to continue to improve through exchange and therefore strengthen our commitment to sustainability, environmental protection and peaceful coexistence.”
“A huge thank you goes to all who have contributed to achieving this extensive certification with experience, support and commitment. In total, almost 200 documents were collected over a period of more than three months and eleven 1:1 meetings were held during the festival to evaluate where OpenAir St.Gallen stands internationally with its sustainable measures.”
Festivals and Events making the grade in 2024 are:
Greener Festival and Event certifications – ‘Outstanding’
Green Gathering (UK)
Øyafestivalen (NO)
Paradise City (BE)
We Love Green (FR)
Greener Festival and Event certifications – ‘Highly Commended’
American Express Presents BST Hyde Park (UK)
Cambridge Folk Festival (UK)
Dockyard (NL)
Les Escales (FR)
Greener Festival and Event certifications – ‘Commended’
Bristol Harbour Festival (UK)
De Zon (NL)
Green Man (UK)
HERNAN CATTANEO WEEKEND X BNP (AR)
Komm Schon Alter (NL)
Northside (DK)
Paleo Festival (CH)
Rosendal Garden Party (SE)
Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (ES)
Sziget Festival (HU)
Open Air St Gallen (CH)
Uber One presents All Points East (UK)
Waking Life (PT)
Greener Festival and Event certifications – ‘Improvers’
Boomtown (UK)
Brockwell Live (UK)
D’A Film Festival Barcelona (ES)
Das Fest (DE)
elrow Town Madrid (ES)
elrow Town Marbella (ES)
European Short Pitch (FR)
Godiva Festival (UK)
In-Edit Festival (ES)
Jardin de las Delicias (ES)
Lambeth Country Show (UK)
Monegros Desert Festival (ES)
Phe festival (ES)
Primavera Sound Barcelona (ES)
Rockygrass and Rocky Mountain (US)
RZM Festival (ES)
Telluride (US)
UEC Road European Championships (BE)
We Out Here (UK)
The International AGF Awards 2025 ceremony will take place during the Green Events & Innovations (GEI17) Conference, in partnership with ILMC, on 25th February in London.
The event is sponsored by Skydiamond and will feature the most innovative and green-aspiring global events, venues, organisations, and individuals from the last 12 months.
Last year’s roll call included 27 nominees from 12 countries, with nine taking home one of our prestigious awards. The top accolade – International Greener Festival Award 2024 – went to Belgium’s Paradise City, who also scooped the Greener Catering Award for their vegetarian and locally sourced menus.
There are more festivals and events currently completing their assessments, which will be announced in due course, and applications for 2025 assessments are open. Find out more and apply here.