99 Problems–But Carbon Neutrality Ain’t One

Via the UN News Center, Jay-Z is headlining the HoveFestival in Norway — a concert that has signed onto the United Nations Environmental Program’s Climate Neutral Network. What does this mean? UNEP explains:

Morten Sandberg, the festival’s organizer, said that the carbon footprint of the 2007 festival accounted for just over 1,300 tons. This was calculated among others by the use of a specially developed online carbon calculator and in close cooperation with CO2-emissions data experts. This year’s carbon footprint is now being quality checked, and we are eager to see the difference and analyze this further in order to learn more about how we can continuously reduce our impact on the climate.

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Participants, including staff and acts, where invited to pay by SMS or credit card for their individual carbon footprint caused by their travel to the festival and during the event’s operations.

The funds are being used to support a methane-into-electricity project on a landfill in China approved by the United Nations as a Clean Development Mechanism project.

Other energy saving measures at the Hovefestival included solar charging points for mobile phones, electric golf carts for on site travelling, and LED lighting systems powered by wind and solar power.

In addition to Hovefestival, a Norwegian Jazz and Blues festival which kicks off today–Canal Street--is also climate neutral. How green are your music habits? Take the Grist Quiz and you’ll be entered to win tickets to Bumbershoot in Seattle.