These were 2025’s most sustainable music events – EnvironmentJournal

A Greener Future has released its honours list, with the UK and Europe dominating. 

With pressure mounting on the cultural sector to clean up its act – from energy use at gigs to audience travel to biennales – 2025’s most sustainable festivals and music events have been revealed. 

Compiled and awarded by A Greener Future (AGF), those achieving certification from the organisation must comply with ‘the world’s first and most practical framework for sustainability in the event sector’. This covers emissions reduction, waste stream improvements, enhanced equality and biodiversity impact. Key factors also run to local community engagement, food sourcing, water management, and governance.

‘Congratulations to all of the certified events in 2025, who have continued to prioritise their commitment to protecting our planet and each other, despite some so called world leaders demonstrating the opposite intentions’ said Claire O’Neill, CEO at A Greener Future. ‘We’re looking forward to coming together and celebrating at GEI and the International AGF Awards in London next month.’

The following events and festivals have received accreditation for their performance in 2025. All will now be put forward for the International AGF Awards 2026, with winners unveiled on 24th February: 

Greener Festival & Event certifications – Outstanding

Boom Festival (PT)

DGTL (NL)

Øyafestivalen (NO)

Paradise City (BE)

Greener Festival & Event certifications – Highly Commended

Green Man (UK)

LIDO Festival (UK)
Montreux Jazz Festival (CH)

Sonidos Líquidos (ES)

Greener Festival & Event certifications – Commended

Copenhagen Film Festival Forum (DK)

Cridem pel Clima (ES)

Echoes of Earth (IN)

Estonian Fashion Festival (EE)

Godiva Festival (UK)

Greener Festival and Event certifications – Improvers

Cordillera Festival (CO)

D’A Festival Cinema Barcelona (ES)

elrow Town Madrid (ES)

Jardín de las Delicias (ES)

Monegros Desert Festival (ES)

Phe Festival (ES)

Primavera Sound Barcelona (ES)

Rockygrass and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (US)

Serielizados International TV Series Festival (ES)

Telluride Bluegrass Festival (US)

Ultra Music Festival (US)

We Out Here (UK)

Image: AGF / Paradise City

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