Andrew Lansley is Innovation Manager for Cheltenham Festivals, Senior Academic at the University of Gloucestershire and Campaign & Commercial consultant for Attitude is Everything. He has worked for almost 30 years in cross sector roles including culture, events, academia, politics, broadcast and innovation. Leading on research and project delivery within creative ecosystems, event sustainability & accessibility policy, he specialises in intersectional, regenerative projects around the UK and beyond. His research specialisms are rooted in climate adaptation and climate justice, and has recently written a chapter on how the UK can improve environmental regulations for outdoor events. He is a trustee for Youth Music and Continental Drifts and in his spare time is double bassist for Thrill Collins. Read his answers to our 20 Event Industry Green Leader Questions:
1. What is the proudest sustainability achievement or moment of your career?
Seeing the GECoP report published and launching the Donut Advisory Toolkit for Events. (The DATE Toolkit helps events assess environmental performance in the key areas of Governance, Energy, Travel and Transportation, Food & Drink, Materials and waste, Water and Positive Influence.)
2. What was your worst ever sustainability-related decision, project or initiative and why?
It’s more of an ongoing behaviour than an individual decision but wanting to say ‘yes’ to everything is the worst!
3. What are you excited about implementing this year?
Keeping up with the rapid global expansion in organisations using the DATE toolkit to address their sustainability and accessibility ambitions.
4. Which environmental issue do you most care about?
All 17 SDGs
5. What sustainable change have you made in your personal life that you are most proud of?
Sold my car and never looked back.
6. What do you read, listen to or watch to stay in touch with green issues?
Research and whitepapers.
7. What is the most memorable live performance in your life?
Performing on the Truth Stage at Glastonbury will stay with me forever.
8. Was there a moment you committed to taking action on climate change?
Not a moment, but I recommit every time I see an animal.
9. What is the most important issue to tackle at your events?
Energy, waste and transportation.
10. What do you think is the most significant challenge for the events industry becoming more sustainable?
Overcoming global dominance by the billionaire class who seem intent on fucking it up for the rest of us.
11. Can you share something sustainable from another artist or event or company that inspired you to make a change?
The eco-tax Rob van Wegen introduced for ESNS.
12. What is the secret to your sustainable success?!
I’m convinced I’m a massive failure at everything and use my ongoing, self-imposed emotional trauma to try and improve myself.
13. Tell us something you feel positive about right now that relates to the environment
The UK is a great innovator in environmental practices, I love the community.
14. Tell us a book, film or recent article you feel others should watch/read and why about positive change?
Minority Rules by Ash Sarkar, Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth. Just read them.
15. Can you give people new to sustainability in events a top tip?
Welcome to the frontline! Don’t lose heart, just do what you can: If we can fix environmental challenges in a field of drunk people, then the rest of the world is going to be okay.
16. What is the favourite festival moment of your career?
Every time I bump into a former student with a better job than me.
17. What habit or practice has helped you most in your personal journey in life?
rning to listen. Being comfortable with (and welcoming) critique.
18. Is there anything new or exciting you are planning or changing for the future that you can tell us about?
Nope – so powerful are the NDAs.
19. Will we save the world?
“No one wins, unless we all win” – Feimatta Conteh
20. What would your sustainable super-power be?
Hyper-focused, polymathic obsession.
Follow Andrew Lansley on >> LinkedIn
This Q&A originally appeared in our April 2025 Vision for Sustainable Events newsletter. Sign up to receive monthly event sustainability news, case studies and guest blogs direct to your inbox.