Overview: Sneem Summer Festival is committed to embedding sustainability, inclusion, and environmental awareness into the heart of our festival. Our approach prioritises long-term transformation, deep local partnerships, and cultural programming rooted in nature. This four-year plan aligns with Fáilte Ireland’s Sustainable Festivals Guidelines 2023 and outlines our phased actions and ambitions from 2025 through 2028.

Key Objectives:

• Eliminate single-use plastics and transition to 100% reusable or compostable materials by 2028.

• Generate 30% of the festival’s energy from renewable sources by 2028.

• Reduce overall festival-related waste to landfill by 60% by 2028.

• Engage at least 75% of festival vendors in sustainability training and compliance by 2028.

• Integrate biodiversity education and climate action into all school engagement activities annually.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• % of power supplied by solar generators annually

• % reduction in overall energy usage (compared to 2025 baseline)

• % reduction in water usage (measured through metering and vendor reporting)

• % reduction in landfill waste year-on-year (compared to 2025 baseline)

• % of total emissions (CO2 equivalent) calculated annually using the Fáilte Ireland Carbon Calculator

• % of materials and supplies procured from within 50km of Sneem

• Number of participating students and schools in nature/sustainability workshops

• % of staff and volunteers reporting satisfaction with sustainability policies and working conditions

• % of guests or visitors rating the festival’s sustainability efforts positively in post-event surveys

YEAR 1: FOUNDATION (2025)

Infrastructure and Procurement:

• Procure and begin testing two solar-powered generators.

• Begin eliminating single-use plastics in favour of compostable or reusable serveware.

• Initiate baseline energy, water, and waste audits to guide future planning.

Partnerships and Planning:

• Establish formal reuse collaboration with Dingle Food Festival.

• Launch Sustainability & Biodiversity Advisory Team including Inclusion Sneem and youth reps.

• Participate in the SEAI community energy support programme and schedule a formal audit.

Programme Design:

• Curate 2026 programming with a focus on biodiversity, climate, and outdoor heritage experiences.

• Confirm facilitators aligned with sustainability and Irish-language delivery.

Community Engagement:

• Host one joint sustainability and circular economy meeting with Circular Economy Sneem and Sneem Tidy Towns, including a community dialogue on introducing an opt-in system for reusable coffee cups and promoting alternatives to single-use options.

• Deliver a Nature and Festival Workshop in both Sneem primary schools.

• Invite the local secondary school to collaborate with the festival on nature and sustainability initiatives through a Transition Year engagement project.

Communications and Content:

• Create a content library documenting the sustainability journey (video, photo, social media).

• Launch bilingual blog series: "Why We’re Going Greener."

• Explore the design and installation of permanent, bilingual festival signage for use across all Sneem festivals and other local events. Signage will be made from durable materials such as metal with modular surfaces to allow for interchangeable printed panels, combining reusability with visual impact and clear messaging on sustainability and local heritage.

Governance:

• Establish a draft Sustainability Policy aligned with the UN SDGs.

• Start tracking sustainability costs, carbon impacts, and qualitative outcomes across departments.

YEAR 2: IMPLEMENTATION (2026)

• Operate core stages and infrastructure using solar-powered generators.

• Install additional water-saving fixtures where feasible and promote water conservation signage across event venues.

• Conduct a water efficiency review post-event to inform improvements for 2027.

• Encourage vendors and partners to adopt water-efficient practices and track their usage collaboratively.

• Replace outdated halogen and CFL lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures across all venues.

• Begin replacing older electrical equipment with more energy-efficient alternatives where feasible.

• Explore options for transitioning to a green power contract for any remaining grid-supplied electricity.

• Regularly monitor water usage using metered data from refill stations and vendor usage reports.

• Regularly monitor energy usage, comparing solar and generator outputs with baseline data from 2025.

• Implement a comprehensive waste management plan including clear recycling and composting strategies, with measurement of waste types and volumes collected at each site. Conduct a formal waste audit to assess the types and quantities of waste generated, and use this data to inform reduction targets. Ensure all waste is separated into recyclables, organic, landfill, and other streams, with clear signage and staff guidance in place. Introduce dedicated food waste composting systems across food service areas. Continue eliminating single-use plastics and replace them with compostable or reusable alternatives. Prioritise local sourcing of food, materials, and equipment to reduce transport emissions and support the local economy.

• Eliminate single-use plastics and implement reuse cup and serveware systems.

• Ensure full waste segregation and composting across festival sites.

• Introduce a water conservation plan with metering, existing refill stations, and low-use appliances.

• Promote existing EV charging infrastructure and provide parking guidance for electric vehicles.

• Host nature-based events, biodiversity walks, and Irish-language eco storytelling.

• Launch a sustainability info hub on the website in English and Irish.

• Collect transport data from attendees, partners, and artists to benchmark emissions.

• Conduct a formal Environmental Impact Assessment, including carbon footprint, waste impact, and biodiversity considerations.

• Develop and implement a Risk Mitigation Strategy based on the Environmental Impact Assessment, covering energy reliability, waste mismanagement, extreme weather, and accessibility.

• Publish the first Sustainability & Accessibility Impact Report.

YEAR 3: EXPANSION (2027)

• Increase solar and renewable energy use to 50% of operations.

• Pilot hybrid generator and battery systems.

• Introduce greener artist/staff transport incentives (e.g. carpooling, bike hire).

• Expand reuse systems to signage, dressing, and backstage infrastructure.

• Conduct a full biodiversity audit and establish biodiversity protection zones on site.

• Launch post-festival follow-up campaign to promote Sneem as a year-round eco-destination.

YEAR 4: LEGACY AND LEADERSHIP (2028)

• Transition to 100% reusable or compostable materials.

• Host a national "Sustainable Rural Festivals Forum" in Sneem.

• Launch a biodiversity restoration partnership (e.g. tree planting or wetland conservation).

• Co-commission environmental art with national partners and offer eco-artist residencies.

• Formalise education outreach to schools and youth groups.

• Publish and present a 4-Year Sustainability Legacy Report.