Sustainability

As a proud member of Festival City Adelaide (FCA), the peak body for festivals and events in South Australia, Illuminate Adelaide has committed to developing and implementing a Sustainability Action Plan.

In alignment with FCA’s Leading Environmental Sustainability and Responsible Practice – Climate Action Roadmap, this Sustainability Action Plan will help us achieve our environmental sustainability goals.

Our Sustainability Action Plan was implemented across Illuminate Adelaide in 2025 with actions focused on five key themes: Transport, Energy, Food, Waste, and Water.

The plan is supported by FCA and Green Industries SA.

Illuminate Adelaide is focused on recording electricity consumption across programmed events. Tracking and building on our emissions sources inventory is an ongoing project, ultimately assisting us in reducing our environmental impact and supporting re-wilding and biodiversity projects.

Illuminate Adelaide is committed to offsetting its 2025 and 2026 event-wide electricity consumption to contribute towards returning a 133-acre former pastoral property in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula back to nature.

By committing to offsetting our emissions through The Forktree Project, we are supporting the planting of native Gum species, shrubs and trees, which bring essential biodiversity and educational benefits to the region.

Learn more about The Forktree Project here.

• Renewable energy first – many of our installations use renewable energy through a combination of the City of Adelaide’s Carbon Neutral Adelaide program and local carbon offset schemes.

• Installations are either metered, or electricity consumption is reasonably estimated. The carbon emissions associated with the electricity used to run our installations are committed to offset in collaboration with local re-wilding initiative The Forktree Project.

• The carbon emissions from the burning of materials for the performances of Fire Gardens in 2024 was approximately 62 tonnes of CO2 - these emissions were fully offset by Illuminate Adelaide through the tree planting programs of Greening Australia.

• The use of a new initiative battery cell bank generator at Base Camp in 2024 saved 3500L of diesel over 21 days - a 65% reduction in fuel use compared to running a standard generator full time! Read more about it here. In 2025, Illuminate Adelaide was able to operate Base Camp without the use of generators.

• Paperless tickets across all events.

• Promotion of local solar, battery and other solutions to inspire action amongst our audience.

• Waste-free initiatives at our bars and outdoor events with 100% of bin waste diverted from landfill in 2024 and 2025 to compostable, recycling, and energy recovery solutions.

• All compostable or reusable cutlery/crockery at outdoor events.

• Bringing your own bottle rather than a single-use bottle is the best choice you can make for the environment. Between 2022-2025 in collaborations with SA Water, and together with Foodbank SA & NT, we’ve turned the proceeds from sales of BYOB reusable water bottles into a running total of 41,840 meals for those in need in the community.

• Accessible public transport and bike parking at all events.

• Partnering with local organisations.

• Dark design website for lower energy use.

To play your part in making your attendance at Illuminate Adelaide more sustainable, and to assist us in our emissions-reduction ambitions, you can:

Eco-commute: Use public transport or carpool. Walk, bike, tram, or e-scooter between Illuminate Adelaide events within the Adelaide CBD.

Leave no trace: Keep the event sites clean by picking up after yourself. Dispose of rubbish and recyclables properly, even when not near designated bins.

Waste wise: Use the three-bin system wherever available, for proper waste disposal. Be water wise and turn off taps after washing your hands.

Reusable essentials: Bringing your own drink bottle is one of the best ways you can reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. Pack a reusable tote bag, coffee cup, and cutlery. This eliminates the need for single-use items and reduces waste.

Mindful consumption: Minimise food waste by sharing or taking leftovers back home.