Ahead of Earthfest 2025, we’ve talked to Georgina McGivern, Co-Founder and Programme Director of Earthfest, who shared insights on what to expect this year, how the festival is evolving, and why climate action needs creativity and community at its core.
The Green Londoner: What inspired the second edition of Earthfest, and how is it building on the success of the first?
Georgina McGivern: The overwhelming energy, creativity, and sense of connection from the first Earthfest showed us that people crave a new way to engage with climate action. Last year, we drew over 8,000+ people in our first year, and this has only emboldened our mission. We saw firsthand how celebrating sustainability through art, music, and community could break through apathy and eco-anxiety. Now in our second year, we’re bolder and more intentional – working with even more non-profits and purpose-driven organisations, we want to spotlight all the amazing work being done in this space and break away from the doom and gloom. Just some of our partners we’re excited to have on board this year include Greenpeace, Ecotricity, Lucy & Yak, and Shelter.
What’s new this year—whether in scale, partners, programming, or ambition?
This year, we’ve expanded programming across more venues, with double the number of workshops and hands-on experiences. We’re introducing the Green Kitchen – a dynamic new space where sustainability meets deliciousness, and a focus on food as culture, connection, and climate action – not just consumption.
We’re also launching the Earthfest Music Summit (check out our interview with curator Darren Henderson to learn more), a bold new programme uniting music and sustainability featuring industry leaders, artists, promoters, and labels tackling the environmental impact of music. Topics include greener touring, sustainable production, eco-merch, artist activism, and the ethics of streaming.
We’ve placed a greater emphasis on youth voices, introducing a ‘Youth Spotlight’ during Industry Day on Friday, where youth activists from Kids Against Plastic will provide their perspective on topics such as sustainable business and AI to an audience of sustainability professionals. It’s something you don’t see at your average climate conference.
What were some key lessons learned from organising the first Earthfest, and how have they shaped this year’s approach?
We learned that authenticity is everything. People are savvy and crave realness, so we doubled down on transparency and created an atmosphere and environment that represents the vibrant local community in Camden. We also learned that accessibility and diversity can’t be afterthoughts – they’re baked into our design, outreach, and programming from day one.
Earthfest aims to be a truly sustainable event—can you walk us through some of the steps you’ve taken to reduce its environmental footprint?
We have a strict greenwashing policy where partners must meet strict sustainability criteria. Our venues are powered by 100% renewable energy, and we’ve slashed single-use materials through reuse and circular economy principles. We’ve implemented comprehensive waste separation stations, carbon tracking, and a partnership with climate experts to offset remaining emissions responsibly. We minimise transport emissions by implementing consolidation hubs and low-carbon transportation for suppliers and providing sustainable travel options for attendees.
In a city full of festivals, why should Londoners make time for Earthfest—and what can they expect from the experience?
Earthfest is not your typical climate event—it’s a vibrant mashup of culture, creativity, and climate optimism. You’ll find live music, immersive installations, hands-on workshops, bold ideas, and street-party energy, all grounded in a shared purpose. It’s a space to meet your people, spark action, and leave feeling energised rather than overwhelmed.
How are you making Earthfest inclusive and accessible for people from all walks of life and levels of climate awareness?
We offer free entry, so cost isn’t a barrier, and our programming is designed for all levels – from climate experts to first-timers curious about sustainability. We engage in community outreach like partnering with local primary schools to host a full day activity out, to ensure we’re not just speaking to the usual suspects but educating our future leaders on the importance of sustainability and climate issues.
How can visitors go beyond just attending—are there ways for them to take action, stay involved, or join the movement after the event?
Visitors can sign up or connect with vetted organisations doing real work across London at Earthfest. We send follow-up emails and host workshops that make it easy to stay engaged after the event. We’re encouraging participation with non-profit partner The London Clean Air Initiative’s projects year-round, plus we’ll also be encouraging our community to keep up the Earthfest spirit and volunteer with The Great Big Green Week, which kicks off on Day 2 of Earthfest.
What’s your longer-term vision for Earthfest—could this become a permanent fixture in London’s green calendar?
Absolutely. Our vision is for Earthfest to become London’s annual hub of climate culture and action – as essential as Pride or Carnival. We’re building a platform that celebrates progress, confronts challenges head-on, and grows with the community. Our true mission is to become a catalyst for lasting change, amplifying bold ideas, and making sustainability a shared cultural touchstone – not just a niche cause for a small group of people.
Georgina McGivern is the Co-Founder and Programme Director of London Clean Air and Earthfest. Georgina is a sustainability advocate passionate about charity and impact work. She has played a key role in growing Earthfest from its inception, championing cleaner air and environmental awareness through community-driven initiatives and impactful events across London.
