The Rideau Canal Festival is proud to be a pioneer in the world of green festivals by creating our Aim-For-Zero-Footprint Festival Model. It is based on the principles of creating “zero waste, zero carbon and engaging the community”. This allows us to measure, reduce, offset greenhouse gas emissions as well divert waste from landfills. Thanks to this approach and with the support of our partners, sponsors and festival goers we achieved our goal of a carbon-neutrality since our inception in 2008.

From 2008 to 2010 our per person greenhouse gas emissions decreased and our overall waste diversion increased. In 2008, our waste diversion was 72% and our GHG emissions per person totaled 29.4 tonnes. In 2009, we achieved 75% waste diversion and increased it to 77% in 2010 as well as calculated 16.9 tonnes and 16.7 tonnes of GHG emissions per person, respectively. The festival’s four sites had numerous recycling and organic waste stations along side conventional waste bins and allowed the festival to reach its impressive waste diversion rate.

The festival emissions were offset with carbon credits generated from reforestation and renewable energy projects which were supported by the festival’s Adopt-A-Metre Campaign and by festival sponsors, such as Energy Ottawa and Plasco Energy Group Inc.

This model was developed with the assistance of ecoverde, Zerofotprint and Enigma Research as well as an advisory committee chaired by Board member, David Greenall from Deloitte, with representatives from Parks Canada, the National Capital Commission, the City of Ottawa, the Recycling Council of Ontario, the Ottawa Festival Network, and Ecology Ottawa.

This model was developed with the assistance of ecovox, Zerofootprint Software Inc. and Enigma Research. An advisory committee was also established and chaired by Board member, David Greenall from Deloitte, with representatives from Parks Canada, the National Capital Commission, the City of Ottawa, the Recycling Council of Ontario, the Ottawa Festival Network, and Ecology Ottawa.

The Aim-for-Zero-Footprint Festival Model is interactive and web-based. It provides instructional guidelines and resources to support festivals as they strive to achieve a goal of “zero carbon, zero waste and community engagement”.