8 August 2024

Zenobē will support the production of Massive Attack’s ground breaking ACT 1.5 event in Clifton Downs, Bristol in what is set to be the lowest carbon show of its size ever staged. The EV fleet and battery storage specialist will provide 20 portable battery units, including up to 15 second-life batteries made from repurposed electric bus batteries that have come to the end of their first, usable life. The portable batteries will be used in place of diesel generators to power lighting and catering facilities at the event. 

Zenobē will also provide eight fully electric double deck buses, in addition to a fleet of buses provided by bus operator Newport Transport to operate an electric shuttle bus service between Bristol Temple Meads station and the venue, before and after the event. All buses will be charged using Zenobē managed charging infrastructure. 

The climate action accelerator event will be the first demonstration of Massive Attack’s collaboration with climate scientists from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to develop a roadmap for the live music industry to make live music events compatible with the 1.5 degree temperature change limit specified in the 2015 Paris Agreement. 

Steven Meersman, Co-Founder, Zenobē, said: “The UK festival community uses in excess of 12 million litres of diesel annually. We are excited to collaborate with Massive Attack to deliver a truly zero emission live event together. Our Second Life Batteries will provide clean power to on-site equipment. At the same time, our first life batteries will power Roberts Travel and Newport Bus’ vehicles to provide a zero emission way to get to and from the venue, continuing a long-standing partnership we have with the operator. This live music event will set a precedent for more carbon-free shows to take place in the years ahead.”

3D (Robert del Naja) of Massive Attack, said: “The ACT 1.5 event in August may be the last time we play Bristol, so we’ve put a lot of attention into making sure the experience is as rich as possible. The show itself is a transgressive leap in our collaboration with Adam Curtis and United Visual Artists that we’re really excited to present. The show production is pioneering in all aspects of decarbonisation and will create a blueprint for the way live shows can be produced. The scale of innovations and emissions reductions will speak for themselves. It’s a special moment for multiple reasons, and we cannot wait to see you all there.”

Professor Carly McLachlan of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, said: “Massive Attack and Act 1.5 have built a community of organisations here – new collaborations, doing things differently, experimenting and learning across power, waste and travel. The local pre-sale, special access for those coming on public transport, extra trains after the show and free electric shuttle buses are all aimed at making the low carbon options affordable, accessible and enjoyable for the audience. It’s wonderful to be part of such a significant and innovative low carbon event. Their imagination and ambition is boundless – it’s an incredible thing to be part of.”

Mark Donne, Lead Producer, ACT 1.5, said: “If you’re listening to the science and you’d like us all to avoid catastrophe, there’s no meaningful alternative to immediately and consistently reducing GHG emissions – from stage to field; we can all do that right now. The response from ticket holders to this experiment has already been incredible, and this August we’ll show that major live music shows can be done differently, collectively, and dynamically.”

Claire O’Neill, CEO of A Greener Future, said: “This gig is seriously pulling out all the stops and has assembled excellent forward-thinking organisations and individuals to make this the lowest carbon event possible, setting a new green standard to aspire to. It’s no small undertaking, and impressive to see what can be achieved when the people in charge really mean it.”

Dale Vince OBE, Founder of Ecotricity, said: “It’s great to be working with Massive Attack and Act 1.5 on this very first event which aims to operate in a way that won’t add to the Climate Crisis. It’s vital that we show how the live music sector can operate this way, not just for the sake of its own footprint and future – but because we can reach music fans this way – as we have at Forest Green Rovers (with football fans) – and show them that what needs doing is possible. I love the ambition and the legacy of change that this event will create.”

All decarbonisation measures for the event were designed and created by the ACT 1.5 project with Massive Attack, and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. The measures, many of them unprecedented, include:
1. 48-hour pre-sale period for Bristol region postcodes.
2. 5 x show special trains operating one hour after the Network Rail schedule is closed – with routes predicated on anonymised ticket holder postcode data.
3. Rail incentivisation scheme offering any ticket holder travelling outside Bristol wristband access to a VIP (VERY IMPORTANT PROCESS) bar and toilets.
4. Entire festival site and all operations powered by 100% renewable energy & battery.
5. Free show electric bus shuttles to and from both Bristol Temple Meads and Parkway.
6. No private vehicle car parks on or adjacent to festival site.
7. Meticulous spec’ing of energy and energy efficient equipment chosen to reduce overall demand.
8. 100% plant-based food outlets, using localised food supply chain.
9. Reusable cup system on all bars, encouraging audience to bring their own reusables containers.
10. Food Waste prevention plan + Redistribution of any surplus food.
11. 100% zero to landfill waste policy.
12. Food waste separation to be composted – all serve ware to be 100% compostable
13. Biomethane / Verified HVO (100% waste product/no virgin land use) vehicle waste removal.
14. 100% compostable toilets.
15. All site infrastructure shared with an existing festival on the same site – no “new build” emissions.
16. Long wheelbase fully electric trucks to assist all build and battery movement.
17. Majority lighting towers solar powered / remainder powered by 100% waste product – RFAS verified HVO fuel.
18. LED and low energy / efficient lighting prioritised for all stage production and artistic lighting.
19. All feasible Massive Attack tour routes taken by rail.
20. All ground transport 100% electric vehicle fleets.
21. All support acts encouraged to travel by rail
22. Supplier Transport 100% Electrified or 100% waste product – RFAS verified drop in HVO fuel. (the show will operate a refuelling tank on site for vehicle departures).
23. Advance prioritising fewest trucks, shortest journeys and lowest mileage. Prioritising lightweight, space efficient and local equipment.

The ACT1.5 show legacy measures include:
24. Creation of a new, permanent climate resilient woodland of 19,150 native oak trees in James Wood, near Taunton – 44 miles from Bristol. The land comprises 85 acres of former farmland and unmanaged woodland and provides education, carbon capture, flood resilience and a rich area of biodiversity.
25. Development of power substation + feeder pillars to offer all festival, event, show and film production activities on Bristol Downs (plus new vehicle charging capacity) electrification via 100% renewable energy. 

Press Contact: zenobemedia@stonehaven.uk.com