| dc.description.abstract | This study investigates how to safeguard the effectiveness and future orientation of monitoring
tools for the environmental sustainability of festivals. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing
tools, stakeholder interviews, and case studies of industry frontrunners, the research
identifies key gaps, barriers, and best practices, culminating in actionable recommendations
for the festival sector.
The findings reveal that current tools for assessing environmental impacts are often fragmented
and lack comprehensiveness. They fail to cover the full spectrum of festival activities
and environmental impacts, leading to incomplete sustainability assessments. To address this,
the scope of these tools should be expanded to include a broader range of activities and impacts.
Several barriers to effective and future-oriented monitoring were identified, including financial
constraints, limited time and resources, insufficient regulatory support, and challenges in engaging
suppliers and partners. Stakeholders also face difficulties in measuring and reporting
on sustainability metrics. Overcoming these barriers requires coordinated efforts from festival
organisers, tool developers, and legislators to create supportive policies, provide financial incentives,
and foster collaborative networks for data sharing and best practices.
Insights from frontrunners in the Dutch festival sector highlight the importance of strong leadership,
clear sustainability goals, and continuous improvement processes. Successful sustainability
initiatives are driven by intrinsic motivations, such as a commitment to environmental
responsibility, and extrinsic pressures, such as stakeholder demands and regulatory requirements.
Integrating sustainability into the core business strategy ensures that it is a fundamental
aspect of event planning and execution.
In conclusion, the effectiveness and future orientation of monitoring tools can be safeguarded
by ensuring they are comprehensive, inclusive of a broad range of activities and impacts, and
supported by a regulatory framework that promotes sustainability. Festival organisers can enhance
these tools by embedding sustainability into their strategic planning and leveraging technology
for accurate and efficient data collection and reporting. Tool developers should create
adaptable and user-friendly platforms to meet the diverse needs of the sector.
This research lays the foundation for developing a standardised protocol for environmental
sustainability assessments for festivals. By identifying relevant activities and impacts and offering
recommendations to overcome barriers, it contributes to establishing more effective monitoring
practices. Furthermore, it provides guidance for festival organisers, tool developers, and
legislators on fostering conditions for sustainable conduct, ultimately supporting a transition
to a more environmentally sustainable festival sector. | |
