Features
Belgium’s Paradise City Wins Big At A Greener Future Awards UK
As is tradition, the ILMC in London kicked off with A Greener Future’s Green Events & Innovations Conference, Feb. 27, topped off with the International AGF Awards.
Belgium’s Paradise City festival took home two awards, the International Greener Festival Award, as well as the Greener Catering Award. All winners below.
The AGF Award recognizes the most innovative, and impactful sustainability efforts taken by businesses across various categories, including power, water, food, travel and community – and Paradise City festival excelled in all these domains.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of Paradise City’s sustainability efforts:
- Solar-powered infrastructure: The festival’s Contrast Stage, powered by 99.22% solar energy, an initiative spearheaded by Eneco.
- Meat-free food court: Paradise City introduced a completely meat- and fish-free food court in 2023, “significantly reducing the festival’s carbon footprint and aligning with its commitment to ethical and sustainable dining practices,” by the festival’s own admission. This initiative also won the festival the Greener Catering Award.
- Promotion of eco-friendly transport: Paradise City promotes alternative travel options, and has a partnership in place with neighboring Brussels Airport, and provided electric shuttle connections, making over 10,000 attendees to opt for train transport, by its own admission.
During the cermony, AGF CEO Claire O’Neill spoke about all the winners and nominees, emphasizing the critical role of culture in driving positive environmental change. Paradise City Festival’s sustainability manager, Esther Koshari, echoed the sentiment of collective effort, acknowledging the dedicated team behind the festival’s eco-friendly endeavours. “Sustainability is in the DNA of everything we do at Paradise City,” she said, and added, “We extend heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their commendable efforts. While celebrating this milestone, we acknowledge there’s always room for improvement. Rest assured, we remain steadfast in our upward trajectory towards greater sustainability and responsible event practices. We are on the right track and committed to shaping a greener tomorrow for generations to come.”
About the AGF certification process: AGF offers recommendations for immediate and mid-term improvements, strategic emission reductions, and holistic improvement of the venue’s sustainability for people as well as the environment. Following a detailed self assessment bringing together all departments and stakeholders, site audits are completed by AGF assessors. The subsequent report gives the certification level across 10 key areas, setting the baseline KPIs and roadmap for actions, not least to keep climate change within 1.5oC in line with the IPCC recommendations.
Full list of 2024 International AGF Award winners:
International Greener Festival Award – Paradise City (BE)
Greener Transport Award – Rosendal Garden Party (SE)
Circular Event Award – I Land Sound (EE)
Community Action Award – Sonidos Líquidos (ES)
Greener Catering Award – Paradise City (BE)
Pied Piper Award – ØyaFestivalen, (NO)
Greener Power Award – Green Gathering (UK)
Water and Sanitation Award – Boom (PT)
Greener Innovations Award – 6 Degrees by Team Love and re:right design (UK)