SUSTAINABILITY
A space for music, connection and debate, shaped by the belief that culture drives change and helps build a better future for our city, our industry and our communities. This means acting on the climate and nature emergency in ways that are fair and bring people with us.
We work to reduce our impact year on year, maximise our positive social contribution, challenge what doesn’t do good, and protect the spaces we all come together in.
From production to partnerships, we prioritise working with local, independent and values-led organisations. We design the festival to support Bristol’s creative community and to reflect the city’s history as a place where music and ideas meet.
We strive to create a festival space rooted in respect for each other and for our environment. We believe meaningful change comes through collective action and optimism.
We’ve taken the Vision 2030 Climate Pledge, working alongside festivals across the UK to cut sector emissions by 50% by 2030.
We pledge to:
- Create safe, inclusive and accessible spaces for everyone
- Power the festival without fossil fuels
- Serve ethical, nutritious, local food and drink
- Measure and reduce travel emissions
- Build circular systems that minimise waste and support local businesses
- Champion diversity across artists, audiences and teams
- Invest in climate, nature and social impact beyond the festival
Since FORWARDS began in 2022 we’ve been evolving our knowledge, initiatives and practices across key impact areas. This work is ongoing, and it’s only possible through collaboration with our artists, crew, partners, audiences and the wider Bristol community.
Explore our key impact areas below.
We’ve powered FORWARDS with biofuel since the beginning, while exploring new approaches including hybrid, battery and solar technology. Working closely with our power contractor allows us to monitor efficiency and make improvements while the show is live.
In 2026, our Main Stage will be powered by hydrogen for the first time! Hydrogen produces no direct emissions at the point of use, creating only water vapour.
Every trader on site offers at least one veggie main and uses certified compostable serveware, helping us divert around 2 tonnes of general waste per show. Explore food menus and dietary information here.
This year, we’re introducing The Team Canteen - a space for underrepresented chefs to share dishes, stories and traditions. We champion food justice through debate, and work closely with Team Canteen, a nonprofit that supports people experiencing food insecurity in Bristol. Find out more about them here.
We choose our partners carefully. We don’t work with companies causing climate harm and global injustice. We back independent, values-led organisations, because where we put our money matters.
We create space for grassroots and activist orgs to connect and share their work, find out who here. We also partner with nature restoration organisations to help our audience engage with and protect the places around us, including Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project and Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.
Getting to and from FORWARDS matters. We encourage walking, cycling, scooters, buses and trains wherever possible, and offer all crew free travel on the festival shuttle.
For production deliveries, we track journeys, calculate associated emissions and balance them. We also balance emissions generated by the shuttle. In 2025, we balanced 14.2 Tonnes CO₂e through our partner Onboard:earth.
Our composting + recycling rate is currently 63%, with waste produced amounting to around 0.34 kg per attendee, per day.
For us, circularity is about seeing the potential in what already exists. We reuse and repurpose materials wherever possible - from transforming old film pots into ashtrays, to redistributing surplus food, using mycelium as a soundproofing material, and turning cardboard and Tetra Pak waste into creative installations on site.
FORWARDS takes place on a very special landscape. The Downs sit alongside the Avon Gorge, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and support a range of rare plant species and wildlife.
Our Respect The Downs policy helps us protect this unique environment, and we work to leave the site as we found it. We encourage our community to learn more about and care for the natural spaces around us.
Small actions add up. Help us look after FORWARDS and The Downs:
- Use the correct bins
- Compost your food & serveware
- Choose a plant based meal
- Be mindful of your water use
- Grab a free portable ashtray from the shop or info point
- Attend a talk at the The Information and get inspired to take action
- Return your cups at the bar so they can be reused
- Walk, cycle, take public transport or use our electric festival shuttle
- Respect The Downs and the people around you
These are the choices, collaborations and changes helping us rethink what a festival can be.
Have an idea that could move us forward? Get in touch: sustainability@teamlove.org
