Sustainability

Eastbourne Borough Council's Events Department work pro-actively in our approach to sustainability at all of our events including Airbourne. We strive to ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of our decision making as opposed to being an afterthought. Airbourne brings a significant number of people into our town over the course of four days and we try our best to make our event carbon friendly.

Events such as Airbourne are key drivers for domestic tourism, promoting the staycation and reducing overseas air travel for UK holidaymakers. 
We are however mindful of our carbon footprint and are working towards a Carbon Neutral Airbourne in a number of ways. 

Reducing Emissions

• Priority given to air displays signed up to carbon offsetting schemes
• Booking of local air displays and contractors to reduce fuel consumption
• Reduction in overall air display assets reducing emissions
• Promotion of travel to the show by public transport and electric vehicles
• Pilot transport utilising only electric vehicles
• Use of mains powered electric where available
• Use of ESSO HVOl00 hydrotreated vegetable oil in generators to reduce emissions by approx. 74%
• Priority given to vendors that do not require electricity

Reducing Waste

• Single use plastic prohibited in trade areas where possible, and promotion of water refill points
• Provision of dry mixed recycling service, with non-recyclable material incinerated to create energy
• Printing of souvenir programme using vegetable based ink and FSC Mix certified materials from FSC certified forests, recycled materials and FSC controlled wood
• Marshal handbook provided as digital version only

Working Towards a Greener Future

• Donation towards local tree planting schemes
• Free exhibition space provided to Eco Action Network for the promotion of sustainable living
• Promotion of STEM activities at the event to support the future of green aviation
• Ongoing research and evaluation through 2022 using ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management and Festival Vision 2025 principles, to improve sustainability and help to inform future event planning across the UK

Eastbourne Borough Council announced a carbon emergency in 2019 and pledged to be carbon neutral by 2030. A group of over 200 volunteers have been set up under the collaborative umbrella of the Eastbourne Eco Action Network. Take a look at their website to find out more about what they are doing.

One of the biggest emissions of carbon into the environment during Airbourne is in fact not the aircraft, contrary to popular belief, but from the vehicles of those who are travelling into the event. We actively encourage utilising the public transport on offer or an electric vehicle to get to our event, and in doing so, doing your bit for the environment.