BACKGROUND

Vodafone Paredes de Coura is a nationally and internationally recognized music festival that has been increasingly committed to environmental sustainability. Environmental concerns have been present since previous editions, and for Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023, the organization aims to implement a comprehensive set of measures to reduce the event's environmental impact and promote more sustainable practices.

In 2023, Vodafone Paredes de Coura is the festival with the best environmental sustainability practices in the country, recognized by the "Sê-lo Verde" Program of the Environmental Fund of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action.

The measures adopted cover various aspects, from suggesting the use of biodegradable packaging for food to implementing a minimarket without single-use plastics. All the festival's water is drinkable, and complete cleaning and restoration of the forest are ensured. Selective waste collection, including biodegradable waste, is a priority, as well as the installation of cigarette butt collection points to prevent environmental contamination.

The use of reusable cups instead of disposable plastic and paper cups was a pioneering initiative in Portugal that we immediately embraced, contributing to the reduction of waste and the carbon footprint associated with the production, transportation, and management of disposable cups. Promoting conscious water consumption is encouraged through the availability of more than 25 drinking water points and monitoring water consumption during the festival.

Resource consumption reduction is also promoted through the adoption of electronic tickets, the reuse of materials from previous editions, and increased promotion and provision of public transportation.

Education for sustainability is a fundamental component of Vodafone Paredes de Coura, with the implementation of various awareness actions promoted by a team of 14 people located near the camping area. These actions include awareness campaigns for Eco-GIFTS, the creation of a "Sê-lo Verde" program with a dedicated website and app for environmental sustainability, the provision of an informative stand on sustainability practices, and the dissemination of information on public transportation and sustainable routes. It also includes promoting good camping practices and safeguarding the area of Praia Fluvial do Taboão.

This Environmental Best Practices Manual for Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023 aims to guide all stakeholders, from sponsors and suppliers to festival participants themselves, in adopting environmental criteria and promoting sustainable actions. With the involvement of everyone, Vodafone Paredes de Coura intends to leave a positive mark on the environment and serve as an example for other similar events.

OBJECTIVES

The Environmental Best Practices Manual embodies the environmental objectives of Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023:

Reduce environmental impact: The festival is committed to adopting measures aimed at significantly reducing the environmental impact of the event, including decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing natural resource consumption, and minimizing waste generation.

Promote sustainability: We seek to promote sustainable practices at every stage of the festival, from production to visitor participation. The goal is to create a festival that values environmental protection and fosters ecological awareness among participants.

Establish responsible partnerships: The festival aims to establish partnerships with suppliers and sponsors who share a commitment to environmental sustainability. We want to work with companies and organizations that have responsible environmental policies and can contribute to achieving the environmental objectives of Vodafone Paredes de Coura.

Raise awareness and educate: The festival aims to raise awareness and educate participants about the importance of environmental protection. Through awareness-raising actions, the goal is to inform and engage participants in adopting more sustainable practices not only during the festival but also in their daily lives.

Set an example: The festival aims to serve as an example for other similar events, demonstrating that it is possible to organize a large music festival in a sustainable manner. The objective is to inspire other event organizers to adopt responsible environmental practices and contribute to the preservation of the environment.

These objectives are crucial in guiding all actions and decisions related to the sustainability of Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023. With the commitment of all involved, it is hoped to achieve positive results and contribute to a more sustainable future.

ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICES

The Environmental Best Practices Manual of Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023 presents a series of measures and best practices in four main areas: Resources, Energy, Effluents, and Education.

Resources:

• Awareness of the use of biodegradable packaging: The festival seeks to reduce the environmental impact caused by packaging by encouraging all partners to use biodegradable or compostable materials.

• Selective waste collection, including biodegradables: Selective waste collection points are available throughout the festival, including specific areas for separating biodegradable waste.

• Cigarette butt disposal points: Specific collection points are provided for proper disposal of cigarette butts, preventing them from being discarded on the ground.

• Reusable cups: The festival uses reusable cups instead of disposable ones, reducing the amount of plastic waste generated.

• Non-bottled drinkable water: More than 25 drinking water points are created, and information on their availability is provided, encouraging participants to use reusable bottles.

• Monitoring and quantification of water consumption: The festival monitors and quantifies water consumption to identify opportunities for reduction and better water resource management.

• Electronic tickets: The use of electronic tickets reduces the need for paper printing, contributing to the reduction of natural resource consumption.

• Reuse of materials from previous editions: Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023 seeks to reuse materials such as sets, decorations, and equipment from previous editions, reducing the demand for new resources.

• Plastic-free minimarket: Vodafone Paredes de Coura aims to promote sustainability and reduce the festival's environmental impact. One of the measures taken in this regard is the implementation of a single-use plastic-free minimarket in the camping area. Users are provided with a reusable tote bag for their purchases.

Energy:

• Increased promotion of public transportation and agreement with Rede Expressos: Vodafone Paredes de Coura collaborates with the public transportation company Rede Expressos to offer a 25% discount on transportation to festival ticket holders, as well as enhancing the availability of public transportation during the festival, encouraging participants to use more sustainable means of transport.

• Monitoring and quantification of energy consumption: The festival monitors and quantifies energy consumption to identify opportunities for efficiency and reduction.

Education:

• Eco-GIFTS awareness policy: Vodafone Paredes de Coura promotes an awareness policy regarding festival giveaways and gifts, encouraging the choice of sustainable and eco-friendly options.

• Sê-lo Verde program identity - website and app: The festival develops a visual identity and an online platform dedicated to the Sê-lo Verde program, where information about the adopted sustainable practices and tips for active visitor participation are provided.

• Sê-lo Verde stand: A stand dedicated to the Sê-lo Verde program is set up, where educational and environmental awareness activities are carried out for participants.

• Awareness and Camping Support Team: This team supports festival-goers in setting up their camping area, providing information on best environmental practices, preventing behaviors that may create risks of forest fires, ensuring effective waste separation, or avoiding actions that compromise natural heritage.

• Environmental Awareness Team: Raising awareness among campers about the importance of environmental preservation is one of the main objectives of this team. They promote waste reduction and proper recycling, as well as encourage more responsible and sustainable behaviors in all areas of the event.

• Public transportation and route information: Vodafone Paredes de Coura disseminates information about available public transportation and routes to the festival, encouraging the use of these more sustainable travel options.

• Environmental Best Practices Manual: The festival provides a manual with guidelines and environmental best practices for participants, encouraging the adoption of sustainable behaviors during the event.

• Collection of food at the end of the festival and donation to a local IPSS: We organize a food collection action at the end of the festival to reduce food waste and also help the local community.

These are environmental best practices adopted by Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023, demonstrating the festival's commitment to minimizing its environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

CONCLUSION

The Environmental Best Practices Manual of Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023 reflects the festival's commitment to promoting sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. Through the measures adopted in the areas of Resources, Energy, Effluents, and Education, the festival aims to contribute to environmental preservation and the construction of a more sustainable future.

Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023 strives to be an example of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Through the adopted environmental best practices, the festival contributes to environmental preservation, reduces environmental impact, and raises awareness among participants about the importance of sustainability, aiming to inspire other events and individuals to take similar measures and promote a more sustainable and balanced future for all.

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