Festival Republic to bring renewable power to UK festivals under new project

nme.com:

Reading & Leeds, Latitude and more – has teamed up with Music Declares Emergency in an effort to bring renewable power to UK festival sites.The project aims to drive grid connections to festivals nationwide and begin the transition of the UK outdoor live sector to grid power, per a press release.

It will ultimately reduce carbon emissions for the sector in relation to temporary power generation.Funded by Festival Republic, the collaboration falls under the ongoing No Music On A Dead Planet climate campaign which has previously won support from the likes of Billie Eilish, Foals and Brian Eno.Festival Republic will support the project closely with the aim of presenting fully renewably powered, grid-connected stages at three of its events for the 2023 festival season.

It will also help create a pathway for other promoters and event organisers to follow suit.The grant marks a key moment in the transformation of the UK outdoor live music portfolio and reinforces the commitment of Festival Republic to playing a leading role in creating a greener and more sustainable future for live music in the UK and beyond.For the first time, Reading & Leeds this year will be powered by 100 per cent HVO biofuel – a renewable form of fuel that has 90 per cent less carbon equivalent emissions than regular diesel.A priority car park for Reading car sharers with GoCarShare will also be launched, as will a paper cup and rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) bottle deposit return scheme and a ‘Take Your Tent Home’ campaign.

Additionally, no virgin single-use plastic will be sold at the festival (all bottles are rPET).The Youth Climate Justice Coalition – made up of Climate Live, Fridays For Future, Teach The Future and XR Youth – is due to.