Scotland's events sector takes action on sustainability - News

A force for good times

Scotland's music, cultural and sporting events bring people together in some of the country's most iconic places. Delivering these experiences also brings opportunities to reduce their environmental impact.

From powering temporary venues and helping people travel to events to managing food and drink waste, organisers are increasingly focused on cutting carbon emissions.

Across Scotland, event organisers are finding practical ways to reduce emissions and waste while continuing to deliver memorable experiences.

Much more than world-class golf

Major golf events provide an opportunity to showcase not only Scotland's world-famous courses, but also new approaches to lower-carbon event delivery.

This year's Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club saw the DP World Tour reduce its reliance on diesel generators by using hydrogen power, mains electricity and solar energy.

Hydrogen power was used across hospitality areas, the broadcast compound, merchandise outlets, big screens and the Genesis Public Lounge. The DP World Tour estimates these reduced emissions by around 16 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) compared with diesel power.

The initiative, supported by the Scottish Government, forms part of a shared ambition between VisitScotland, the DP World Tour, Scottish Golf, East Lothian Council and the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation to support greener event delivery.

The Genesis Scottish Open, The Renaissance Club, East Lothian. Credit: VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

We have experimented with hydrogen power at our events for four years now but this is our most ambitious roll-out yet, and the first time hydrogen has been used at this scale to power a major sporting event on a greenfield site. Getting to net zero is about embracing new technologies and delivering incremental gains year-after-year.

Maria Grandinetti-Milton, Director of Sustainability at the European Tour group

Sustainability sounds better

Scotland's live music industry is also taking action.

Independent rock festival WinterStorm has been reducing waste since introducing its Reduce Single Use policy in 2017, including the use of reusable tumblers across the event.

The festival continues to build on this work through more sustainable passes and lanyards, careful material choices and staff awareness initiatives.

Each year, WinterStorm also organises a beach clean at Troon Beach, bringing together volunteers, guests and staff to support the local community and environment.

WinterStorm Festival. Credit: Andrew West

Sustainability has been part of the WinterStorm approach for a number of years, and for us it’s about making sensible, practical choices wherever we can rather than looking for one big solution.

We know a music festival will have an environmental impact, but we can make better choices and keep looking for ways to reduce it.

WinterStorm organiser Ian McCaig

Start your sustainable journey

The Genesis Scottish Open and WinterStorm show how events of different sizes can take meaningful action, from trialling lower-carbon technologies to reducing waste and supporting local communities.

For further practical guidance, case studies and tools available for event organisers check out our Business Support Hub for more information as well as our Climate Action Accelerator programme to help support your sustainability journey.

Go to our Business Support Hub