Green
Policy

Learn how the festivals addressed environmental sustainability, with the development of a green policy and actions that lowered their carbon emissions and environmental impact. The research also examines whether empathy can be inspired by the themes of climate change and migration.

What was done in the research package?
A Green Policy, Behaviour workshops and a Report on Sustainability and Empathy.
When can I take part in it?
Starting in late 2023 the first Green Policy was be developed and later implemented and adjusted to suit all four SOT-festivals. The Report on Sustainability and Empathy was published in the autumn of 2025.
Building a more sustainable model
Faced with undeniable scientific evidence of man-made climate change, we must all do our best to find sustainable alternatives to our current ways. The international classical music industry relies heavily on air-travel, which currently is an unsustainable mode of transportation. New ways of doing business need to be found, ways that preserve the planet whilst creating music and supporting livelihoods.
Co-designing a green policy
In partnership with the University of Galway a working group comprised of various festival collaborators was assembled. Collaborators where audience members, migrants, performers, venue and transport managers, restaurants and caterers, to name a few. The working group examined the festivals' current operations, pinpoint areas for improvement, and helped form a baseline on which the green policy was created. The green policy was later implemented to minimise the events' carbon footprints, as well as measuring the impact on empathy towards the connected challenges of climate change and migration through art and music.

A central feature of this project is the co-design model, which encouraged active participation from all involved parties, leading to sustainable solutions with a higher adoption rate. The co-design approach ensures all perspectives are considered, creating more holistic and effective policies.
Carbon emissions modelling
Accurate measurement of the Project's impact is crucial. This process delivered precise estimates of the carbon reduction of the festivals, particularly focusing on travel, one of the highest generators of carbon emissions. This methodology ensured a more robust and accurate evaluation compared to standard online carbon calculators.
Behaviour change workshops
Further engagement and education was encouraged via Behaviour Change Workshops at each festival, which aimed to foster dialogue about sustainable living and empathetic change in behaviour. By involving a wide cross-section of stakeholders, these forums tried to broaden the conversation on sustainability, climate change and migration and to produce data for the comprehensive evaluation report.
Report
As the project has now concluded, both the Green Commitments and Research Report are available for download below. The report was compiled, encapsulating data from all four festivals and their respective experiences. This pooling of knowledge was chosen to promote continuous learning and improvement, ensuring that each festival could offer the best possible experience in the most sustainable manner. This initiative aims to lead by example, proving that sustainability, culture, and empathy can go hand-in-hand, delivering a transformative impact.

DOWNLOADS

Green Commitments

A list of actions and considerations to be taken by the festivals collaborating under the Songs of Travel umbrella in 2024–2025. Can be implemented by other venues to increase their sustainability.

DOWNLOAD

Research Final Report

A report on how the project developed a sustainable operational model and in communicating the themes of climate change and migration to audiences and festival attendees.

DOWNLOAD
Research Team
Jakob Koranyi
Research coordinator
‍Royal College of Music Stockholm and Fairplay Chamber Music
Jakob Koranyi is a professor of cello at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he also teaches a course in sustainable music life. He is actively looking for ways where music can be a positive force for the climate and environment. Having toured the world extensively, in 2019 Koranyi stopped accepting engagements that require fossil fuelled transportation.
Liz Coleman
University of Galway
Liz Coleman is a Lecturer and researcher at the University of Galway, specializing in atmospheric physics, climate modeling, and air quality forecasting. Her recent research focuses on broad scientific collaboration for environmental protection and effective science communication on environmental issues. Coleman organizes events engaging diverse communities in the west of Ireland to address environmental change, combining scientific knowledge, data, storytelling, and music. She promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and science public engagement, particularly targeting marginalized communities.
Eoghan Clifford
University of Galway
Eoghan Clifford is an Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at the University of Galway, specializing in water/wastewater engineering, transport, and life cycle assessment. His recent research focuses on these topics, along with the marine and aquaculture sectors and technology development. Clifford has co-founded Vortech Water Solutions Ltd., a company manufacturing and selling patented technology and computational services for the wastewater sector. He is an advocate for active travel and mobility for individuals with disabilities, serving on the board of a national disability organization and chairing a local active travel community cooperative. Clifford is an avid cyclist currently based in Nuenen, near Eindhoven.
Denis O’Hora
University of Galway
Denis O’Hora is an experimental psychologist and behavioral scientist affiliated with the University of Galway. His research centres on the dynamics of learning and decision making, with a particular interest in how people adapt to their circumstances. O'Hora utilizes tightly controlled environments and various data collection techniques such as mouse cursor tracking, eyetracking, experimental psychology, and EEG to explore these topics. He is committed to advancing psychological knowledge and applying psychological science effectively to understand and empower people. O'Hora contributes to the development of behavioral solutions for promoting pro-environmental behavior and workplace safety, as well as assisting companies in understanding consumer decision making for sustainable long-term growth.