The Mallorca Live Festival has won the Contribution to Sustainability award at the Iberian Festival Awards as a recognition of its environmental efforts, particularly for the 2024 edition.
The award was presented during the 9th edition of the Iberian Festival Awards, held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Almancil, Portugal.
We decided to check the festival’s sustainability initiatives and their impact.
Mallorca Live Festival Sustainability Initiatives
The festival’s sustainability efforts in 2024, which contributed to this award, are extensive and multifaceted.
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Carbon footprint reduction | Planted 23 trees at Casa Esment to offset the 2023 festival’s carbon footprint, demonstrating a tangible commitment to carbon neutrality. |
| Energy consumption reduction | Implemented a hybrid battery system at Escenario 3 – Endesa, enhancing energy efficiency during the event. |
| Mobility plan | Facilitated over 22,000 transfers from Palma and the Part Forana, reducing reliance on private vehicles and lowering the carbon footprint associated with attendee travel. |
| Recycling and circularity | Established over 60 recycling points across the venue, with selective waste collection certified by involved agents. Additionally, partnered with Fundación Cleanwave for the collection of reusable hard plastic cups, promoting circular economy principles. |
Beyond these specific 2024 actions, the festival’s ongoing sustainability framework, as outlined on its official website, includes a range of initiatives. Established in 2021, Fundación Mallorca Live Festival is a non-profit entity focused on aligning with Agenda 2030, emphasizing social inclusion and environmental protection.
Key ongoing efforts include:
- Mobility: The “Ven al festi sin malos humos” campaign encourages reduced private vehicle use, offering shuttle buses from various island points to lower the carbon footprint. Booking information for these services is expected to be available soon.
- Water Management: The “No malgastes agua” campaign promotes responsible use of water fountains, addressing water scarcity in Mallorca, a critical issue for the region.
- Cup Return Program: The partnership with Fundación Cleanwave extends to encouraging donations instead of refunds for reusable cups (at 1€ each), with funds supporting environmental education through Social Weekends and coastal regeneration projects like MedGardens, focusing on species such as Posidonia oceánica and Cystoseira S.L.
- Energy Efficiency: The Mallorca Live Festival employs latest-generation generators, LED lighting, and separate lighting circuits to minimize energy consumption, aligning with modern sustainability standards.
- Local Engagement: At least 30% of artists are local, and the Happening Market promotes local businesses and km0 food products, supporting the regional economy and reducing transport emissions.
- Accessibility and Inclusion: Architectural barriers are removed, priority lanes are provided for reduced mobility, and collaborations with Fundación Music For All ensure inclusivity, aligning with social sustainability goals.
- Wastewater and Responsible Consumption: Events use certified tanks for wastewater collection and treatment, while color-coded bins, biodegradable/compostable cups, and potable water points are standard, promoting responsible production and consumption.
The Mallorca Live Festival also encourages audience participation, urging attendees to save water using festival fountains, use sustainable transport options (shuttles, public transport, carpooling, or biking), recycle using color-coded bins, avoid plastic by bringing cloth bags and using reusable cups, and use minimally packaged products.
Community-Focused Aspect
An unexpected but important detail is the community-focused aspect of their initiatives, particularly the cup return program. By channeling donations into environmental education and coastal regeneration, the Mallorca Live Festival not only addresses its operational impact but also invests in long-term environmental and social benefits, such as funding Social Weekends and MedGardens projects. It adds a layer of community engagement that goes beyond typical festival operations.
In its 2024 edition, the Mallorca Live Festival collaborated with sustainable sponsor Endesa to implement significant eco-friendly initiatives. These included deploying a hybrid battery system on Stage 3 to reduce energy consumption and planting 23 trees at Casa Esment to offset the 2023 carbon footprint. Additionally, a comprehensive mobility plan facilitated over 22,000 transfers from Palma and Part Forana, minimizing individual vehicle use. On-site, more than 60 recycling points and multiple cup collection stations ensured effective waste management, in partnership with the Cleanwave Foundation.
The festival’s dedication to sustainability has garnered attention from environmentally conscious artists. Notably, the legendary British band Massive Attack, renowned for their environmental activism, will headline the second day of the upcoming eighth edition, scheduled for June 12-14, 2025, at the Mallorca Live venue in Calvià. Other prominent performers include Iggy Pop, Suede, Nathy Peluso, Bad Gyal, Rigoberta Bandini, Antònia Font, and Dorian.
