Castlemaine State Festival 2009
TowardsCarbonNeutral
TowardsCarbonNeutral
Ø We aim to be “Carbon Accountable” which means the Festival is taking responsibility for the greenhouse gas pollution created during the Festival
The Board recognises the importance of being a socially responsible organisation. We deeply value and are honoured to contribute to the cultural and social richness and vitality of our local and broader community. We also understand and wholeheartedly support the need to create truly sustainable communities across all three of the interrelated dimensions of social/cultural, economic and environmental sustainability. We therefore recognise the pivotal and urgent role of meeting the challenges of climate change and aim to play our part.
We will endeavour to calculate and reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions wherever possible, and then will purchase or create offsets to mitigate any remaining emissions.
Ø Through our website, we aim to contribute our experience to the developing knowledge base about sustainable event management, particularly arts events
Calculation of carbon neutrality is an evolving science and as yet there are no standardised definitions or methodologies. Decisions about what activities to include and how to measure can be different at various festivals and behind each of these decisions are a number of assumptions. The decision was therefore made to make the methodology transparent and available on the website. We don’t have all the answers, but we are a large ten day festival with a broad geographic area and multiple stakeholders and we hope to provide a useful learning experience for ourselves and others.
Ø Reduce Emissions
Ø Measure and survey energy usage and activities
Ø Offset remaining Green House Gas [GHG] emissions
Ø Educate and engage those involved with the Festival and the public through first hand experiences and through our website
The main focus for TowardsCarbonNeutral is on energy usage, transportation and waste management. A few basic principles and tips for water usage and food supply are also included.
Castlemaine State Festival is a large ten day festival with a broad geographic area, multiple locations and multiple stakeholders. What are the boundaries of the Festival’s responsibility?
Around various festivals there is variation in practice as to the elements for which organisers take responsibility. In the planning for TowardsCarbonNeutral, discussion has taken place around the extent to which the various stakeholders and locations are under the direct control of the Festival. Through TowardsCarbonNeutral, Castlemaine State Festival has taken direct responsibility for the emissions generated by all events at programmed Festival events with respect to energy usage, transportation and waste management. Operation of the Festival office for the two year preparation of the festival is also included. Calculation of total emissions and the purchase of offsets are made on this basis.
What of the many other events and activities happening around and outside the Festival program? Private studios are open, local artists add their own performances to the ten day explosion of the arts, eating houses have more patronage. Some of these activities are happening because of the Festival but outside the Festival’s control and some are happening as additional to “business as usual”. Obviously the Festival cannot take responsibility in effect for the impact of the whole of town’s activities during the 10 days of the Festival.
The potential contribution to Greenhouse Gas emissions of these additional activities has also been estimated. Data is being collected and surveys conducted to quantify the additional impact and where possible the validity of decisions and assumptions will be tested.
The TowardsCarbonNeutral Approach
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Locations and Stakeholder Groups
Artists exhibiting work or performing at Festival venues Artists exhibiting at non Festival venues – home studios etc Visitors local Visitors travelling CSF office and staff Local eating houses and accommodation venues Local businesses with no direct Festival involvement Other events and activities not managed by CSF Sponsors Web page readers |
Direct Responsibility Yes Yes
Yes Yes No No
No No
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Potential contribution to GHG Yes Yes
Yes Yes Minimal No
No No |
FUNDING TOWARDSCARBONNEUTRAL
Consistent with being “Carbon Accountable”, the expenses associated with TowardsCarbonNeutral are included as a line item in the Festival Budget, rather than following the practice of a discretionary or fixed additional “green” amount on ticket prices. Running a festival on sustainable principles is therefore recognised as a necessary part of normal business operations.
Additional funding was also generously provided through the Mount Alexander Shire Community Grant Scheme. Refer to TowardsCarbonNeutral Partners
DISCLAIMER
The information on the TowardsCarbonNeutral web pages is intended only to share information on the TowardsCarbonNeutral approach at the Castlemaine State Festival 2009. Neither the Castlemaine State Festival Board nor its Staff claim any particular expertise in climate change management nor do they warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information herein and do not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any outcomes resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any information displayed on the TowardsCarbonNeutral web pages