Measuring is Knowing is the program with which we map our own footprint. An indispensable step, because without figures you do not know whether you are progressing or fooling yourself.

For this purpose, Lab Vlieland developed the GDCF Monitor for the Green Deal Circular Festivals, in collaboration with Utrecht University, The Revolution Foundation, HaskoningDHV and ITGWO: a festival monitor for climate emissions and material use, built by and for festivals. Around thirty festivals in Europe are now using it.

MEASURING IS ACTUALLY NOT REALLY KNOWING

Let's be honest: this isn't really about measuring. In most cases, CO2e is not measured at all. They are calculations. We collect practical data and multiply it by emission factors for certain products, activities and fuels.

Such an emission factor tells you how much CO2e a liter of diesel emits when you pump it, refine it, transport it and ultimately burn it in your engine. Multiply that by the number of liters you needed to drive to Harlingen, and you know approximately what your journey to ITGWO cost.

That also means: the better the data and emission factors, the closer you get to reality. So when you fill in the visitor survey in a moment, please state the precise number of kilometers and the means of transport you used to get there. It really makes a difference.

BETTER DATA FROM THE CHAIN

The largest part of our footprint is not created directly on our festival grounds, but at suppliers, caterers, artists, performers, partners and visitors. That is why we make agreements with everyone working at the festival about fossil-free transport (at least HVO, preferably electric), residual waste-free working and the delivery of data.

REPORTING

By now, we have a pretty good idea of what our footprint looks like. To make it a bit manageable, we have turned it into an infographic.

These are the most important figures for 2025, expressed in numbers.

On the way to climate positive

Energy: 100% solar energy grid/batteries and green hydrogen

On-site transport: 90% zero emission (construction equipment & internal transport)

External transport: 50% fossil-free (of which 20% zero emission)

Visitor travel: 51% fossil-free vs 49% fossil travelers

Food: largely plant-based and fish (0.4 kg CO2e per meal)

Drinks: largely domestic (within 200 km) and low-carbon drinks (0.45 kg CO2e per liter)

Current unavoidable emissions: 270 + 42 (ferry) tonnes of CO2e removed (Scature / ONCRA + Good Shipping)

Historical emissions: 610 CO2e removed (Festival Forest / ONCRA)

On the way to circular:

Procurement: 90% circular (2nd hand, bio-based, recycled)

Cups and all tableware: 100% reusable

Residual waste: 80 g per visitor per day

Recycling: 95% recycled (5% residual waste)

We will continue using the GDCF Monitor in 2026. After the festival, we will turn that into a report, which we will share here.