As this year’s global climate summit COP28 draws to a close where nations convened to discuss and negotiate actions to address climate change and its impacts, Belfast’s 4 Corners Festival announced their commitment to carbon neutrality.
Now in its 12th year, the festival was conceived as a way to inspire people from across the city to transform it for the peace and wellbeing of all.
It features innovative events designed to entice people out of their own ‘corners’ of the city and into new places where they will encounter new perspectives, new ideas and hopefully meet new friends.
The return of the festival for 2024 was announced earlier this month revealing the theme for the upcoming event as Our Stories Towards A Culture Of Home.
A central focus of the programme is ensuring that the events are organised and run as sustainably as possible. Part of this commitment is their pledge to not only offset their carbon footprint but also work towards becoming carbon negative.
One of the directors of the 4 Corners Festival, Steven Gregg explained that as an eco conscious festival they understand the importance of sustainability.
“As an eco-conscious festival that understands the impact of our actions on the planet, we have pledged to be a carbon-neutral festival. What this means is we calculate the carbon footprint created by our events and find ways to offset this.”
According to the organisation’s calculations, during the 2023 festival, a total of 5.5 tonnes of CO was incurred. For the coming year’s programme, the festival pledges to offset its carbon footprint by working with organisations such as Belfast Hills Partnership.
“We have donated £100 to the Belfast Hills Partnership to plant trees on our behalf, which not only makes us a carbon neutral festival but a carbon negative one,” explained Steve.
In further efforts to reduce their impact on the environment and not just offset it, organisers of the festival encourage all attendees to make use of public transport where possible.
“Our events are mostly accessible through public transport. We encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with travel routes and consult Translink for their travel arrangements where possible,” he added.
Aside from travel arrangements, those who can’t attend the events in person will be able to avail of select events that will be streamed online on the official 4 Corners Festival YouTube and Facebook accounts.
Tickets for the event will be available to book on the website in early December.
For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com
