For the first time, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras largest events are 100% carbon-offset in 2019 thanks to a new partnership with Australia’s greenest energy retailer, Powershop.
The festival’s three largest events, Fair Day, Party and the world famous Mardi Gras Parade – catering for a combined audience of over 600,000 – are carbon-offset making it carbon neutral. These changes will mean the carbon footprint of the festival is reduced.
Powershop CEO Ed McManus believes that this new partnership will be another great step forward for the iconic event. “What’s exciting about this partnership is it allows the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to share its positive energy – not just with hundreds of thousands of Australians every year – but now with the environment too.”
Mardi Gras Arts CEO, Terese Casu said, “Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has always been a leader in the issues that matter the most to the community so going carbon neutral was a natural fit. We’re so pleased to be able to carbon offset our major events, which are some of the largest in Australia. We hope that other significant events in arts and sport can learn from the work we’re doing with Powershop.”
The new partnership ensures the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras achieves certification against the Australian Government’s National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS), making it one of the few national public events to be carbon offset.
Launching on Friday 15 February and concluding on Sunday 3 March, the two-week Mardi Gras program is set to be bigger, bolder and more diverse in its representation of the LGBTQI+ community. Jam-packed with more than 100 community events, dance parties, theatre and music performances and family- focused fun, the festival culminates with the iconic Parade on Saturday 2 March.