ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the method used to approximate the ‘carbon footprint’ of a relatively small, urban music festival. Arts and music festivals, shows, concerts, and similar events are all important leisure and tourist activities, least in terms of the number of people involved. The carbon emissions audit relates to Futuresonic, an annual three day international festival of electronic music and media arts in Manchester that attracts around 10,000 people. The University of Manchester, to help begin its work on measuring, managing and mitigating its contribution to climate change. The communications side of the partnership was assisted by Creative Concern Ltd, a sustainable development communications agency in Manchester. Raising public awareness of the profound implications of climate change, and of the role of everyday consumption and behaviour, thus needs to remain a priority in the challenge of tackling climate change itself. Awareness and attitude change remain important precursors to effective emissions reduction.
