Business of sustainable festivals to be explored

New sustainability summit for cultural and creative industries.

How Ireland’s music festivals and outdoor shows along with theatre, film and other cultural events and initiatives can contribute towards increased sustainability and protecting the environment will be discussed at a major summit in April.

The REALISE Summit will bring together leaders from diverse sectors and creative realms, including festivals and events, film, theatre, visual arts and design along with State agencies, funding organisations and policymakers in a bid to explore more environmentally responsible practices throughout various cultural and creative sectors.

The one-day event, which takes place in the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in Kilmainham on April 10th, is organised by Native Events and Julie’s Bicycle Europe and is being supported by the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPOS), IMMA, and Dublin City Council.

Native Events has worked on sustainability projects with such major events as Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, Reading, Body & Soul, Latitude and Creamfields.

Climate action in the fields

“We are seeing 100s of projects happening all over the island from local community level to initiatives in film and TV, festivals and events and in theatre and the arts”, explained Megan Best of Native Events, adding:

“In the creative industries, there are pockets of brilliant climate action happening – in energy efficiency, biodiversity enhancement, materials re-use – it’s popping up everywhere.”

But, she said: “No one is bringing them all together, to discuss common challenges and to share knowledge. All of this action needs to be coordinated, linked and networked so it can be accelerated. That’s why we’re hosting this event. We want to bring them all together under one roof to realise a creative force. The summit is the first of its kind and we’ll be aiming to do it every year.”

The summit will focus on environmental sustainability and regenerative principles in Ireland’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). The programme has been carefully designed to be inclusive, providing engagement both for leaders in this space and for those just starting out on their environmental sustainability journey.

“At IMMA, we believe that art has the power to inspire new ways of thinking, and that creativity is essential in shaping a more sustainable world,” said Lisa Fitzsimons, Strategy & Sustainability Lead, IMMA.

“Hosting the REALISE Summit at IMMA is a natural fit—this gathering brings together the bold ideas, collaborative energy, and regenerative practices that our cultural sector urgently needs. We’re delighted to partner on this important initiative, providing a space where artists, practitioners, and leaders can connect, learn, and take meaningful action together.”

The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPOs) have come on board as Native’s Circular Economy Partner. The aim is to showcase best practices in the circular economy, employing a zero waste approach with modular stage dressing and decor created from salvaged materials, and reusable serveware and branding.

“REALISE will help advance waste prevention and climate action within the Cultural and Creative Industry Sector in Ireland while also having the potential to impact longer term public awareness of the role of business and citizens in building an effective circular economy,” said Dr Joanne Rourke, Resource Efficiency Officer, Regional Waste Management Planning Offices.

“In its ambition to accelerate and promote a reuse and zero-waste ethos and practice within this important sector, the event strongly aligns with the objectives of the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy to influence sustainable consumption and optimise circularity. We are proud to be the Circular Economy Partner for the Summit.”

Main image at top: Photo by Alexandrina Tofan on Unsplash