SMASH-EVENTS LIFE00 ENV/B/000285 - Sustainable mobility as part of an integrated sustainability approach for large events
Overview
Background & policy context:
Over the past 20 years, large scale events have become more and more popular and widespread leisure destinations. Large summer music festivals, exhibitions, cultural events, sports games etc. may attract several thousands of visitors, sometimes on one day or even one evening. Very often, the places where these events take place are not conceived to receive such large numbers of visitors. Therefore, these events can have a significant environmental impact.
Objectives:
The international “SMASH-EVENTS” project aimed at developing a standard for integrated environmental management for large events, such as cultural events, music festivals, exhibitions, etc. In particular, the project set out to add the aspect of mobility management to already existing practices in reducing the environmental impact of such events.
The impacts of large events on the environment are multiple:
- short term: noise, effects on air quality, other health effects
- long term: production of waste, energy consumption, lasting damage to surroundings and air quality.
The specific objectives of the project were to:
- decrease the short term negative impact of the event on the environment mainly by decreasing noise, nuisance and vehicle emissions;
- decrease the long term negative environmental impact by reducing vehicle emissions, production of waste, and the lasting impacts on the natural environment.
The following specific tools to enhance international co-operation were to be developed:
- a set of tools in the form of a manual that could be used for integrated environmental management, including mobility management, of several kinds of events;
- a proposal of an environmental audit scheme for large events. Demonstration projects were planned to take place in 4 countries: Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
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