As part of its ambitious three-year Green Roadmap towards net zero, Shambala Festival (capacity: 20,000) has placed travel & transport at the heart of its sustainability strategy.
Key Initiatives & Impact
- Sustainable Travel Subsidies: Every sustainable travel ticket was subsidised by £50, making low-carbon options more affordable and appealing to festival-goers.
- Funding Environmental Restoration via Vehicle Passes: A compulsory carbon levy was introduced for all public vehicle passes, and all ticket holders were encouraged to donate to onboard.earth.
- Rail Traveller Package: In 2023, a new subsidised rail package was launched, promoting train travel
- Shared Travel Support: Pre-pitched tents were provided to those using shared travel packages, making sustainable choices more practical.
- Crew & Artist Transport: A fleet of city-based coaches ensured lower-impact travel for crew, while multiple prompts encouraged artists and crew members to donate to acknowledge unavoidable emissions.
- Supplier & Logistics Tracking: The festival began measuring supplier and structure transport emissions, introducing balance checkpoints.
- Low-Emission Festival Operations: Almost all site vehicles, including buggies and telehandlers, ran on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, reducing emissions by 90%.
Shambala’s commitment to transparency is reflected in its annual Interactive Impact Report, detailing its progress and challenges. Read more about Shambala’s Travel Initiatives.
This case study is part of the Green Travel and Transport Guide for Festivals and Events 2025 (coming soon)