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A Greener Future announce First Speakers and Topics for GEI18

by jummy84 November 6, 2025

written by jummy84

Photography by Chris Cooper/ ShotAway/ www.ShotAway.com/ #shotawaydotcom

“If you work in the live sector and sustainability is your thing, GEI is where it’s at.” Dale Vince OBE

The first speakers and key agenda topics have been announced for the 18th edition of the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI18), which will take place at the Royal Lancaster London on Tuesday, 24th February 2026.

The internationally renowned conference is where music, sport, and cultural events collectively tackle the topics that matter, from climate action and ecosystem restoration, to handling geopolitical pressures, misinformation, and culture wars.

Returning to GEI to explain what it’s like being a black belt in both green comms and putting words into action is Dale Vince OBE, founder of the world’s first green energy company, Ecotricity, and chair of the world’s greenest football club, Forest Green Rovers FC. Dale will be joined by Claire O’Neill, co-founder of their joint venture Grid Faeries, and CEO of AGF, to discuss removing diesel from events alongside many other pressing topics.

Continuing the energy theme and following AEG Europe’s recent announcement regarding their green energy agreement with Ecotricity to supply all their UK venues, GEI will showcase the Live Entertainment Energy Scheme (LEES), a partnership between Ecotricity, LIVE, AGF, and Music Venue Trust, which allows venues and all live sector buildings to access deep green energy at a fraction of the cost whilst simultaneously creating renewables.

Exploring how art can resonate beyond words, GEI18 hosts a discussion giving insight into TAKKUUK, an immersive installation and soundtrack that showcases indigenous life, culture, and climate change in the Arctic, created by BICEP and featuring indigenous artists. EarthSonic, In Place of War, Ninja Tune and the creators contribute to this impressive and moving session.

And the topic of AI and sustainability will make its way onto GEI’s agenda for the first time in 2026. Dr Teresa Moore, GEI co-founder and head of AGFe (A Greener Future Education), will join chair Adrian Bossey and researchers from the Association of Event Management Educators to discuss issues around the social, economic, and environmental impacts of AI on the events industry from a sustainability perspective.

Whilst the focus of GEI is on preventing harm and making the world a better place, adaptation to climate change and the shifting tides is essential. GEI18 will welcome climate change expert Professor Richard Betts MBE from the Met Office to examine the latest climate science, impact on events, and what degree of preparedness is needed. And Artur Mendes returns to provide insight into one of Europe’s most inspiring music events for biodiversity restoration and wider sustainability – Boom Festival in Portugal.

Virgo Sillamaa from European Music Exporters Exchange will share the research findings from the Better Live project, which looks into tour co-programming as a way to decrease carbon footprint mobility while creating smarter tours for artists. The research aims to better understand how culture and sustainability co-exist (or not) in policy across six European countries.

And EarthPercent return as our charity partners, with the ever star-studded and inspiring EarthPercent Hour the icing on the plant-based cake of the conference programme. This will be followed by the sustainably grown cherry on the cake, the International AGF Awards 2026, sponsored by Skydiamond, in which we celebrate the greenest events and venues from across the globe.

The Quick-Fire Innovation Round, a firm favourite on the GEI programme, returns, giving a small selection of delegates the chance to pitch their innovative solution or product to future clients and peers. To apply, click here. Applications close on 15th December.

New for this year, GEI delegates can enjoy free access to London showcase festival Soho Calling on Wednesday, 25th February (the day after GEI) with a host of incredible artists performing at a plethora of great venues across central London. The event is organised by ILMC.

“It’s always very exciting to see the GEI programme gradually taking shape. We’re adding a new room this year, meaning more space for deep dives, as well as a host of new speakers, some previously untouched topics, plus Soho Calling! It’s an invigorating shake up for our 18th edition, and we look forward to sharing space with our fabulous delegates.”

Claire O’Neill

More sessions and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

GEI is the foremost conference for event sustainability. A partnership between green event pioneers A Greener Future (AGF) and the world’s leading platform for the live music and entertainment sector, the International Live Music Conference (ILMC), GEI18 is sponsored by Ecotricity Business, AEG, and The O2.

More information and tickets at agreenerfuture.com

A greener future announce first speakers and topics for gei18

November 6, 2025 0 comments

Events

Sustainably powering events with Aggreko’s greener upgrades

by jummy84 October 2, 2025

written by jummy84

Aggreko is a global leader in delivering temporary power, temperature control and energy solutions that set the stage for some of the most exciting events around the world. As experts in the events, film and TV sectors, Aggreko combines the latest technology and smarter thinking to bring sustainable solutions to the industry.

Over the last few years, Aggreko has made a significant investment in providing newer technologies and techniques such as Stage V generators, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and alternative fuels, which has played a key role in supporting sports, music, and corporate events meet their decarbonisation goals.

Coupled with their consultative approach, Aggreko’s Greener Upgrades range lowers carbon emissions and delivers fuel savings by utilising the latest technology, as demonstrated with some of the best-known organisers around the world.

There were no exceptions when tasked with powering the 2023 Ryder Cup. With 250,000 spectators on site each day and a global broadcast reaching over 3.7 million people, a robust and reliable energy solution was required, that also met the organisers’ objectives of delivering the most sustainable Ryder Cup.

The company combined solar power, batteries, and generators in a hybrid energy solution, supporting not only the main event but also the local infrastructure due to the isolated location of the course. This involved powering 4,106 road lights, in addition to the 104 tower lights installed across the venue.

The Ryder Cup Europe benefited from the resilient uninterrupted power required to put on the global sporting show – as well as an unprecedented cleaner energy supply, achieving one of their most sustainable events to date.

Jono Rose, General Manager, Aggreko Event Services: “We’ve had to employ some innovative thinking using the experts within our team, but making sure we keep the flexible solutions across the course to ensure we can provide the power required but keeping in line with Aggreko’s greener thinking and key pillars.”

The partnership highlighted the opportunities for greener energy in events of all scales, from the planning stages to de-rigging.

Aggreko also provides specialist hire of temperature control equipment to the industry.

Creating a unique and comfortable experience for attendees can require a climate different from that of the event location, which is where Aggreko’s expertise takes centre stage. Their flexible and scalable HVAC solutions include cooling, heating, dehumidification and air handling equipment, which are all rightsized to the application for maximum efficiency.

And through Greener Upgrades, they have also expanded their chiller fleet with models that run on CO₂/R774 an ultra-low GWP refrigerant, and R513A a lower GWP refrigerant.

Finding the balance between comfort for attendees and optimal conditions for equipment is key to a successful event, Aggreko pride themselves on making this possible regardless of the venue, with experience transforming pavilions, rural land, theatres, conference centres, ice rinks, and much more.

Of course, temperature control solutions of this scale require consistent power and can be fully integrated with Aggreko’s generators or battery energy storage systems, as demonstrated at the Ryder Cup.

The span of sustainable practices in the event industry is constantly growing, allowing us to futureproof the spectacular global experiences we know and love, as we transition towards tight net-zero targets.

Aggreko is fully committed to continuing to invest in newer technologies and technologies, that will support their customers in the sector on their decarbonisation journey.

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October 2, 2025 0 comments

Events

A Greener Future announces Green Events & Innovations Conference 2026

by jummy84 September 24, 2025

written by jummy84

Photography by Chris Cooper/ ShotAway/ www.ShotAway.com/ #shotawaydotcom

The 18th edition of the Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI18), returns to the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Tuesday, 24th February 2026.

GEI is the foremost conference for event sustainability – it sees the brightest minds gather to tackle the most poignant and pressing topics relating to event sustainability, climate change, and social action. A partnership between green event pioneers A Greener Future (AGF) and the world’s leading platform for the live music and entertainment sector, the International Live Music Conference (ILMC), GEI18 is sponsored by the world’s first green energy company Ecotricity, AEG and The O2.

The conference includes a programme jam-packed with engaging talks, panels, discussions, and case studies from music and sporting events; a climate-friendly lunch, refreshments throughout the day, and closing drinks. There are second-to-none networking opportunities in the event sustainability space; access to the International AGF Awards, celebrating the best in class for event and venue sustainability; and for the first time, free access to Soho Calling, the music showcase event organised by ILMC.

Topics already slated for discussion at GEI18 include extreme weather and operational impacts; energy; clean water and air; green touring; culture for social change and climate action; boycotts, bans, and lawsuits; and the role of events and culture in countering rising polarisation and intolerance in society by deepening connections.

“People come together at GEI to speak freely, discuss the most important issues impacting our sector, our lives, and our planet – and to be inspired. In the 18 years GEI has been running, we’ve seen an evolution in awareness and understanding of our sector’s impact and our potential. We’re very much looking forward to bringing the community together again in February ’26. The sharing of experiences, ideas, and innovations at GEI helps us to maintain our cool even while the temperatures keeps rising,” says Claire O’Neill, founder and CEO of A Greener Future.

Applications are now open for The Quick-Fire Innovation Round, a firm favourite on the GEI programme that gives a selection of delegates the chance to pitch their innovative solution or product to future clients and peers. To apply, click here.

Once the conference segment of GEI is complete, we round off the day with the International AGF Awards 2026, sponsored by Skydiamond, in which we celebrate the most innovative and greenest events, venues, organisations, and individuals from across the globe over the last 12 months. The awards span ten categories, including the prestigious International Greener Festival Award, which is this year sponsored by Earth Positive Future.

Following the awards ceremony, GEI delegates have free access to London’s newest showcase festival Soho Calling, which takes place across central London and is organised by ILMC.

GEI always features a stellar cast of outstanding speakers, with previous participants including: Brian Eno, Moby, Blaine Harrisson (Mystery Jets), Carly McLachlan (Tyndall Centre), Dale Vince OBE (Ecotricity / Grid Faeries), Danielle Magalhaes (Secretariat to the Climate Framework at UNFCCC), Dr Clair Barnes (World Weather Attribution / Imperial College London), Erik Distler (AEG), Greg Cochrane (journalist and broadcaster), Jacob Collier, Madame Gandhi, Minister for Climate Kerry McCarthy (MP Bristol East), Cathy Runciman (EarthPercent), and artist Declan McKenna.

September 24, 2025 0 comments

Events

Introducing AGFe – A Greener Future Education

by jummy84 September 1, 2025

written by jummy84

Having delivered sustainability training across the globe for over a decade, A Greener Future (AGF) is bringing together its wealth of accumulated knowledge and experience under a brand-new identity.

Together with industry-based research and UK government-recognised powers to accredit university and professional courses, the not-for-profit company is introducing AGFe – A Greener Future Education.

Dedicated to providing practice-led, research-informed, actionable training and education, AGFe will support the efforts of the events industry to decarbonise and meet the challenges of climate change.

AGF pioneered the first framework and certification scheme for music festivals, calculated the first artist tour carbon footprint, and developed and created the first A Greener Arena certification.

AGF’s industry-leading training and education programmes draw upon this pioneering work, together with 20 years of global experience and knowledge developed through helping events, festivals, arenas, suppliers, and artists to become more sustainable and reduce their environmental impact. To date, AGF has trained over 1,000 participants globally through their assessor training online and in-person courses, with courses hosted by universities across the UK and beyond.

With increasing demand from a range of participants with different work experience and backgrounds, AGF recognises that there is a need for more practice-orientated sustainability training. With this in mind, AGFe will be launching a series of training courses in the coming months.

According to Dr Teresa Moore, the head of AGFe and director of AGF:
“AGF has been conscious for some time that there is a sustainability knowledge and skills gap across the cultural and creative sectors, as well as the wider events industry. Without skilled and knowledgeable practitioners, decarbonising the sector will be much slower than it should be. We are acutely aware that time is not on our side regarding climate change.

“With a decade of experience of running highly successful professional training programmes, AGF is uniquely placed to address the knowledge and skills gap and help move the dial.

“A Greener Future Education will provide a focal point for all of our training, education, and research. Over the next year, we will be launching a series of training programmes designed to meet the needs of the sector and to fill the skills gap.

“It is our mission to help upskill the sector’s workforce, and I’m very excited by the opportunities that AGFe will present over the coming years.”

AGFe will continue to provide in-house and bespoke training for organisations in the UK and internationally having previously worked with the Royal Parks, Manchester City Council, Bristol City Council, The Royal Horticultural Society, Circular Culture Mexico, British Council India and staff teams from Bournemouth Arts University, University of the West of England, and Falmouth University.

More info on the AGFe here:

https://www.agreenerfuture.com/agfe

September 1, 2025 0 comments