LIVE NATION FOR A GREEN NATION

Stefania Campanella and Giulia Miglioli

Who conceived this initiative?
Green Nation, the international department of Live Nation that is dedicated to sustainability, is a worldwide project begun in 2019 which aims to reduce the impact of live events on the environment, and to raise public awareness on the issue of sustainability. Live Nation is responsible for offering performing artists and fans a musical experience that protects our planet.

Why is this important for Live Nation?
In Italy, there is a specific Green Nation team of various professionals who cover multiple areas, from communication to production, to agreements with partners: their goal is to make festivals and tours sustainable. The first directives relating to the environmental charter were implemented in 2018, with medium-long term objectives which, taking into consideration the pause due to the pandemic, will be further developed in the coming years.

How has it evolved over time: what priorities did you have at the beginning and what did you learn while working on it?
International review meetings are organized that involved direct comparison with colleagues from other nations, and there the different approaches on the subject are highlighted according to the laws in place. Live Nation has selected Patricia Yagüe (Head of Sustainability EMEA) to be in charge of coordinating these meetings. She has also developed the company’s first sustainability program at the European level, helping markets to integrate sustainability into all working
aspects with the mission toachieve the environmental objectives established by Green Nation.

What are the measures you have promoted to reduce the impact on the environment of performance events?
We have set up an action plan on several fronts, which are consolidated in guidelines for eco-sustainable Live Nation events:

  1. REDUCTION OF WASTE (WASTE & WATER), according to the provisions
    of the municipalities hosting major events:
    • separate waste according to material (wet, plastic, glass, cans, metal, paper-cardboard, polylaminate) supported by the local service company, delivering bags at the entrance to facilitate collection.
    • arrange containers for separate waste collection in several points that are visible to and usable by visitors
    • arrange containers in refreshment stands, for separate waste collection and where necessary, for used oils
    • uses reusable, compostable material or certified ecological paper at refreshment locations
    • , use dispensers or soaps with packaging in recycled material and with ecological certification in the restrooms
    • use of ecological toilet paper
    • use of ecological paper (hemp paper, seaweed paper, recycled paper or paper with FSC or PEFC certification) for all paper materials used in the promotion of the event
    • Replaces cans or plastic bottles withdispensing liquids on tap
    • use compostable or reusable plates, glasses, cutlery
    • recommend the use, of objects produced with natural, recycled or biodegradable material, of gadgets and merchandising, as long as they are in line with safety standards
    • use of remanufactured cartridges and toner
    • reuse and reintegration of waste, through its transformation
    • use of 100% recycled plastic water bottles
    • where possible, install water saving technologies at the water supply locations
    • use of water bottles in backstage areas
    • make agreements with consortia for the transformation of collected plastic
  2. ENERGY
    • stipulate in contracts the supply of energyto be used from renewable sources
    • use electrical machinery of energy class A or higher for the refreshment and washing locations
    • improving the efficiency of cold rooms and/or generators of new technologies in collaboration with partners
  3. POWER SUPPLY
    • offer organic / vegan / vegetarian / local / gluten-free products in the refreshment locations
    • offer local dishes / km0 by communicating it in the refreshment area
    • enhance, within the refreshment locations, the specific features of the region and products distinguished by any local area brand
  4. TRANSPORT
    • display on-site and in information materials the information necessary to facilitate the choice of alternative means to cars to reach the event/festival (dedicated trains, bus lines, shuttles, tramways, cycle paths to the location
    • promote, and encourage the use of bicycles and public transport to reach the event
    • explore the possibility of using on-site racks and agreements with local bicycle rental service providers
    • promote bus/tram services for visitors
  5. Internal and external COMMUNICATION
    • promote use of good practice in the ecological field, created by the organizersof the event via the web, social media, media and information material through a comprehensive communication plan
    • placement of informationmaterials that promote adherence to use of separate waste collection, water and energy saving, proper nutrition and sustainable lifestyles through training sessions, and / or enjoyable workshops offered to visitors in the afternoon and / or with exhibitions to be displayed in areas suitable and safe to the public.
    • inform and train the staff and the public on the commitments adopted by the environmental field to encourage conscientious attitudes.
    • give clear and reliable information on the services offered for different needs and disabilities (food allergies and intolerances, disabilities, etc.) for greaterinclusion
    • involving partners and sponsors, whenever possible, to promote the message regarding the commitment of the event dedicated to combatting pollution and climate change

Who are the most conscientious Italian artists?
Marco Mengoni.

And among the international ones?
Coldplay and Massive Attack have been working for years to make their international tours sustainable.

And among the international ones?
Coldplay and Massive Attack have been working for years to make their international tours sustainable.

Do you see awareness growing in your audience?
We are working to raise public awareness of the problem, and encouragin and the use of sustainable means of transportation such as trains, bikes, shared cars and shuttles, in order to go in the same green direction. It is not a simple task. We also have to deal with localities that have a different approach but there is a lot of enthusiasm in collaborating with the guidelines that make everything better, when we put them in place. We trust that this consccientiousness will continue to develop and that the path started years ago will soon be realized

Stefania Campanella is Head of Promotion in Live Nation Italy. She oversees the management of all communication channels and promotional tools of the national and international artists’ shows (tours and festivals) in Italy. Within the Green Nation Italy team, Campanella coordinates the relationship with companies and the related communication of special projects dedicated to sustainability.


Giulia Miglioli is Production Manager for Live Nation Italy. After several years of experience in corporate event management, she recently shifted to musical entertainment. In Green Nation she has the role of supervision of production and operations of the project objectives within the country.