UPBEAT Platform weighs in on the industry’s quest for the sustainable, future-proof festivals via its Future Festival Award, handed over each year to a contestant conforming most to the platform’s green criteria. Partly located in a leafy park it tends to keeping its carbon-footprint low during production; mindful of sustainable transport; supporting diversity and making gender-conscious choices in programming as well as within its staff, Music Meeting Festival stands as a great example. Winning the highest vote of 16 UPBEAT members, Music Meeting Festival came first from among the 6 contestants. Music Meeting, running since 1985, pioneered many sustainable practices: its founder Wim Westerveld has worked hard to establish a European network to make touring more sustainable; it has kept its merch-production, digital and carbon footprint low, only allowing recycled drinking cups on-site; also minimizing artist- and staff travel wherever possible. The festival is engaged with local minority communities and keeps its lineup and staff balanced in terms of gender and background.
