We can expect that Pukkelpop and other festivals will continue to look for ways to reduce their ecological footprint.
The 36th edition of Pukkelpop literally kicks off. Pukkelpop, the renowned Limburg music festival, is taking another step towards sustainability by using inland shipping. In a new eco-friendly move, this year the dressing rooms for artists, including those of international pop star Billie Eilish, will be shipped to Kiewit.
Since 2015, the Hasselt music festival Pukkelpop embraced inland shipping for the transport of backstage material. What started with simple transports quickly grew into extensive use of containers in 2016. The following year, in 2017, they even transported the entire main stage by waterway. In the years that followed, the festival focused on decorative containers, which contributed to the unique festival experience in both function and style.
Lydia Peeters, Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, praised the effort from Pukkelpop. “By putting the spotlight on this innovative collaboration, we hope to convince even more companies of the benefits of inland shipping.”
Chris Danckaerts, managing director of De Vlaamse Waterweg nv, added that the expansion of Pukkelpop's capacity, with plans to welcome more festival goers in 2023, need not lead to a proportional increase in emissions: “Thanks to inland shipping, the scale is increases, but the emissions do not grow with it.”
Chokri Mahassine. the organizer of Pukkelpop can be proud of the decision to join the Green Deal. It is a reflection of the larger movement in the festival industry to become more environmentally conscious. This commitment is not only shared by Pukkelpop, but also by many other festivals in Europe and beyond.
At the beginning of this summer, June 23, 89 stakeholders gave their support to the Green Deal Inland Shipping. With this they aim for zero-emission inland shipping by 2050. Pukkelpop has joined this movement as the ninetieth signature, once again emphasizing their commitment to sustainability and innovation. While fans look forward to seeing their favorite artists perform, they can also take pride in participating in an event that is committed to a better future for all.
When opting for inland shipping, companies not only benefit from a significant CO₂ reduction, but also from potential cost savings. In addition, it helps to avoid terminal delays and traffic congestion, which improves logistics efficiency.
With the renewed collaboration and support for initiatives such as the Green Deal, Pukkelpop is committed not only to a better festival experience, but also to a greener and more sustainable future for the region and beyond. Going forward, we can expect Pukkelpop and other festivals to continue to look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and the Green Deal is just the beginning of this journey.
