Festivals GoGreen

People go to festivals to enjoy themselves, so the last thing on their minds is probably how to recycle their drink cans or to party in a sustainable way. But, with more focus on greening festivals across Montenegro, festival organizers are pledging to cut back on plastics and leftover waste. They build stages from eco materials while solar and LED lights are becoming the norm.

The fun does come at a price!

Festivals create enormous amounts of waste, and many music and film festival organizers are now greening their events to minimize their impact to the environment.

Festivals bring thousands of people who will contribute to the local economy but harm the environment as all festivals have ecological footprints. They consume energy, water, damage lands, produce waste and increase CO2 emissions.

So, what are the biggest environmental impacts of festivals and what's being done in Montenegro to overcome them?

The easy ways music and film festivals are going green

Green festivals offer a series of eco-friendly activities and sustainable initiatives to help reduce their impact on the environment. Five of the major festivals in Montenegro in 2018. had an environmental policy in place including:

• use of solar power generators, reduction of waste, water and energy, use of organic food, using local suppliers and locally sources products, providing education about environmental impacts and more!

Travel and transportation

In the tourism sector in Montenegro, transport accounts for most greenhouse gas emissions at 83%, according to the National GHG Inventory. Audience which travels to and from sites tends to make up most of a festival's carbon footprint. Cars and airplanes are the most popular forms of transport to festivals in the country. And major ones now recommend and organize lift sharing and using a shuttle bus to minimize the amount of traffic and thus carbon footprint.

No plastics please!

There are many things festivals are doing to eliminate disposable plastics such as opting for reusable cups, banning drinks sales in plastic and encouraging festival goers to bring refillable water bottles. For example, at a 2300-person event, using biodegradable cups instead of plastic can prevent nearly 1 ton from going into a landfill.

Ecological Venues

The accommodation sector has been making great efforts in greening their facilities and the festival organizers now research the property’s environmental practices in advance of booking. Their priority is eco certified accommodation in the country.

Environmental education

Festivals help promote environmental awareness and educate their audience on the waste reduction and carbon offsetting programs available.

Making the event low carbon

Going low carbon is a way of demonstrating that steps have been taken to measure and reduce the emissions associated with the event’s activities. The emissions which are unavoidable can be offset and may include forestry or donations. In Montenegro festivals taking the green pledge offset their emissions through reforestation or donate EUR 0,50 from every ticket to eco-friendly projects.

Jazz and Rock have never been so Green

Everywhere around the globe, people love to celebrate. And when it comes to celebration, Montenegrin music and film festivals offer something for everyone.

Lake Fest, Niksic

Who would have thought that green was the color of Rock & Roll?

Does the oldest Montenegrin Rock festival hide a wild side? Sure thing.

Lake fest is widely considered the greatest show in Mne. Its unique ‘Campground’ offers A-list music, but also giant eco art structures, late night parties, celebrity appearances, and more. Lake Fest is a green festival committed to producing the concert tour in an environmentally responsible manner. Since 2014. the festival has taken on different initiatives to lessen its impact - by installing solar panels to power lights at the camp site and conducting environmental workshops at the Rock & Recycle Tent during the event.

Recycling bins are installed in all areas of the festival camp, readily available and clearly marked. Shuttles for all visiting performers and audience are provided.

Sea Dance festival, Buljarica

Who doesn’t know Sea Dance?

Arguably Montenegro’s biggest festival - not to mention its wildest party - attracts 45,000 to 60,000 people in three days. Although not exclusively focused on electronic music the festival has a menu for every taste and hosts the biggest names in the today’s scene. With diverse headliners that have ranged from the Prodigy, Sean Paul and Fat boy Slim to John Newman and Nile Rodgers Chic, Dimitri Vegas and Alice Merton, it’s modeled after iconic music festivals like EXIT.

Whether you’re fan of electro or EDM, house or techno, bass or experimental - there will be something for you. The biggest names descend upon the 2km long Buljarica beach - the pearl of untouched nature in Mediterranean, for a weekend of huge-scale production, big beats and beach&boat parties. The festival works with sponsors to promote eco-friendly awareness among the festival goers, who can take Reduce Your Carbon footprint pledge to take all their belongings including garbage home.

Dzada Film Fest, Podgorica

It’s human connections that matter most!

Dzada Film Fest is an independent festival taking place over seven days each year, showcasing the best creative stories from filmmakers worldwide. Held on the city streets and in local parks, it recognizes the need to reduce the environmental footprint of such an event.  The festival’s greening strategy involves use of solar power generators and encouraging film lovers, especially the young ones to bicycle or walk to the event.

One of the most beloved stories of all time The Little Prince was magically brought to life this summer, when children and their parents relaxing on the green lawns at the local park (re) discovered a timeless depiction of childhood wonderment at odds with grown-up disillusionment.

Green Montenegro International Film Festival (GMIFF), Zabljak

GMFF is a world away from big crowds. You’re unlikely to find a more stunning setting for a film festival. Just below the Durmitor Mountain, in the UNESCO protected area - the festival is held under an open sky. A wonderful mix of sustainability, village atmosphere and the sense of escapism. And thaaaaat view!

A truly low carbon event, GMIFF brings new stories from around the world about the most pressing environmental issues of today, using the power of film to inspire action. This August, audiences saw powerful environmental stories like SEED: THE UNTOLD STORY and LANDFILL HARMONIC, also participating in discussions that spark green ideas & reforestation action in the National Park Durmitor, cough by the last year’s wildfires.  

Southern Soul Festival, Ulcinj

Southern Soul Festival - embracing of the world’s diverse cultures, encouraging the breaking down of boundaries through music and movement. This boutique festival features hip and underground names representing a broad selection of musical styles including soul, jazz, funk, house and disco.

Held at one of the most beautiful and the longest sandy beaches on the Mediterranean coast -Velika Plaza, you can dance all day long and then enjoy one of the most amazing sunsets you have ever seen. In additions to the music, you can also find arts, food and drinks, cinema tent, and yoga.

A true millennial festival, it aims to minimize the event's environmental impact using a variety of means, including usage of electronic registration and tickets, biodegradable cups and encouraging exhibitors to reduce the distribution of leaflets.  The festival also raises awareness among festival-goers by encouraging them to make SSF more sustainable by reducing their carbon footprint.

Who wouldn’t dream of a weekend party on a beach in the middle of a long hot summer? Come along in 2019! You will never be disappointed! 

Green Screens - Jazz On, Rock on Greenly!

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism supports greening of summer music and film festivals, as a part of the project “Towards Carbon Neutral Tourism in Montenegro”.

Thank you for your love and support sustaining our Festivals! If you would like more information or assistance, please visit www.lowcarbonmne.me

#GoGreen photo galeries:

Sea Dance Festival, Buljarica

Lake Fest, Nikšić

Green fest, Žabljak