As part of our mission to maintain the culture of surfing, as an expression, art and lifestyle. We ensure the festival and all of our event partners follow the best environmental practices starting with a sustainability policy that aims to offset carbon emissions, minimise energy usage and eradicate single use plastics.
The BBSF Sustainability Report measures both the Social & Environmental impact that occurs during the running of the Byron Bay Surf Festival and the effect that it has on local beaches, parks, people and infrastructure
SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE
Our Commitment to Sustainability
At the Byron Bay Surf Festival (BBSF), our mission is to celebrate surfing as a profound expression, art form and lifestyle. As part of this commitment, we prioritise environmental stewardship by implementing rigorous sustainability practices across all our events and partnerships. Our sustainability policy focuses on three core areas: offsetting carbon emissions, minimising energy consumption and minimising waste.
Sustainability Report
Our Sustainability Report provides a comprehensive assessment of both the environmental and social impacts of the BBSF. Our report evaluates how our Festival influences the environment, including local beaches, parks, infrastructure and the community.
Our Sustainability Pledge
Sustainability is at the heart of the BBSF. It reflects our dedication to a better world through targeted, measurable and continuously reviewed efforts. We welcome input and collaboration from everyone who shares our vision for a sustainable future. Please contact our Sustainability Consultancy, The CN Agency, for more information.
We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, local environmental groups and our volunteers. Additionally, we recognise the Byron Shire Council’s commitment to sustainability and their goal of achieving a landfill-free and carbon-neutral status by 2025. These collective efforts help us minimise Festival waste and divert it from landfills.
We acknowledge the Arakwal people, the Minjungbal people and the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters where our Festival takes place. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and are grateful for their involvement in the Festival.
Our 2024 Sustainability Goals
- Measure and Offset Emissions: Calculate and offset the CO2e emissions from ticketed surfers’ travel through Sea Trees, raising awareness of travel impacts on the environment. Measure and communicate the Event’s activity carbon emission summary to educate attendees about CO2e, the event’s main emission sources and how they can help reduce CO2 impacts.
- Renewable Energy: Whenever possible, utilise renewable energy sources to power Festival operations on the beach.
- Collaborate with Local NGOs: Partner with Byron Bay’s environmental protection agencies to promote local actions that safeguard our coastlines and marine life from pollution.
- Daily Beach Clean-ups: Conduct daily clean-ups at surfing event locations and advocate for the Take 3 for the Sea Byron, Balloon Free Byron Shire and Butt Free Byron Shire initiatives.
- Waste Management: We aim for minimal waste creation and divert over 75% of all waste from landfill. We reuse event equipment to minimise consumption and waste. Provide waste options for: Landfill, Earn & Return (benefiting local NGOs), Organics (for composting) and Recycling.
- Promote Reusables: Work with our sponsors, event partners and event participants to promote plastic free and support the Byron Loves BYO campaign. We encourage the use of reusable packaging, containers, water bottles and coffee cups at the Festival.
Join us in our journey toward a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment and community.
John Finlay
Chairman – Byron Bay Surf Festival