SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability at Audio Obscura

At Audio Obscura, we believe unforgettable events should leave lasting memories, not a lasting environmental impact.

Every year we transform iconic locations into immersive experiences where music, culture and heritage come together. Protecting those spaces is just as important as creating them. That’s why sustainability is embedded in every stage of our productions, from planning and build-up to the final breakdown.

Rather than making promises, we measure our impact, learn from the results and continuously improve. Every edition is another step towards creating more circular, low-impact events.

Our Impact in 2025

ADE 2025 marked another important milestone in our sustainability journey. Despite hosting more shows and welcoming around 20,000 visitors, we succeeded in reducing our environmental impact across several key areas.

20% reduction in direct CO₂ emissions

Compared to ADE 2024

  • Direct festival emissions decreased from 52 to 42 tonnes CO₂e (-20%)

  • Total emissions, including indirect emissions, decreased from 62 to 61 tonnes CO₂e, despite the festival growing in size.

This demonstrates that growth and sustainability can go hand in hand when decisions are driven by data.

Our Focus Areas

Energy

One of the biggest achievements of ADE 2025 was eliminating diesel generators for powering the event.

Instead, the festival operated using a green electricity grid connection, significantly reducing emissions from energy production.

Highlights

  • Zero diesel generators used for festival power

  • Transition to renewable grid electricity

  • Working towards 100% renewable energy for build-up, show days and breakdown

  • Continuous monitoring of energy consumption to identify future improvements

Resources

Festivals use thousands of materials in just a few days. Our ambition is to keep those materials in circulation for as long as possible.

In 2025 we strengthened our recycling systems, improved waste separation and expanded our deposit return programm

Results

  • 720 kg aluminium cans recycled

  • 600 kg cardboard recycled

  • 560 kg drink cartons recycled

  • 400 kg plastics and cups recycled

  • More than 21,000 cans returned

  • More than 1,500 bottles returned

  • €4,250 in deposit refunds generated through returned packaging

Although heavy rainfall increased the total amount of waste during ADE, almost all recyclable materials were successfully separated and recovered.

Food

Food choices have a significant environmental impact.

For ADE 2025 we worked with local vendors where possible and introduced lower-impact menu options without compromising on quality.

The biggest change came from replacing beef burgers with chicken burgers, resulting in a significant reduction in food-related emissions.

Highlights

  • Approximately 50% reduction in food-related CO₂ emissions

  • Increased focus on local food suppliers

  • More vegetarian options available

  • Biodegradable food packaging introduced to reduce plastic waste

Highlights

Transportation remains one of the largest contributors to festival emissions.

We actively encourage visitors, artists and suppliers to choose lower-carbon travel options whenever possible.

Several international artists travelled by train instead of flying, helping us significantly reduce emissions from artist transport.

Results

  • 50% reduction in artist travel emissions

  • More artists travelled internationally by train

  • Continued focus on encouraging visitors to travel by bicycle or public transport

  • Increased use of lower-emission machinery during production

Looking Ahead

Our ambition is clear: to become one of Europe’s leading examples of sustainable event production.

Every edition provides new insights that help us improve. In the coming years we will continue to invest in:

  • Expanding reusable cup systems

  • Increasing vegetarian and low-impact food options

  • Encouraging train travel for artists and visitors

  • Further reducing transport emissions

  • Smarter energy management and renewable power solutions

  • Circular material management across all Audio Obscura events