In this student takeover episode  of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton we discuss the global sustainability of the music and entertainment industry, particularly festivals. Together, we explore the environmental impacts and concerns that come with festivals. Join us as we chat about personal experiences and some examples of the profound impacts on sustainability. In our deep dive of the subject, we touch on legislation/policies; the main contributors to environmental damage and the Sustainability Development Goals associated with the factors contributing to the suitability of festivals. However, it is not all doom and gloom, we conclude with what has been and what can be done to work towards being more sustainable. These exciting changes in the industry look promising and should ensure a bright future for festivals to come.

If you would like to find out more about this topic, we have provided some links to reports that you could read:

·      Events and Festivals Contribution for Local Sustainability - https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/3/1520

·      Festivals and social sustainability - https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315186320-6/festivals-social-sustainability-bernadette-quinn

·      Festivals and Sustainability: Reducing energy related greenhouse gas emissions at music festivals - https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/server/api/core/bitstreams/cc369227-ed2e-4d1f-be89-41d8726afb68/content