UK Music Festivals Pledge to Reduce Emissions As Part Of 10:10 Campaign.

Several high-profile UK festivals have pledged to lower their carbon emissions by 10% this year as part of a global campaign. Reading and Leeds, Latitude and Bestival are among 10 festivals who've signed up to 10:10, a greenhouse gas reduction initiative.

The move towards a more sustainable festival was spurred on after analysis by Oxford University showed that the combined emissions of 500 festivals over one year would create 84,000 tonnes of CO2, the Guardian reported.

Those festivals taking part are committed to tackling the major power consumers on site -- lighting, sound systems and the hundreds of stalls. Helping them meet their target will be Julie's Bicycle, a non-profit company set up to enable creative industries to minimise their carbon footprint.

The first of the 10:10 registered festivals to take place is this weekend's Isle of Wight event. Featuring The Hive, a stage powered by solar energy and bio-diesel, organisers are keen to continue the good work that helped them win A Greener Festival Award last year.

Dealing with the ecological cost of transport is another area where organisers face a huge challenge. Alongside Glastonbury's Car Share Scheme, Latitude is offering revellers the chance to win upgrades if they car share too.

Lovebox have also signed on. Festival founder Tom Findlay told the Guardian that 10:10 made "change feel achievable" while campaign director Eugenie Harvey explained "Cutting carbon isn't all about staying at home and giving stuff up. British summertime's all about getting out there and enjoying it while it lasts. And enjoying it all with 10% less carbon, well, who can argue?"

Other festivals to join 10:10 are T in the Park, The Big Chill, Big Tent, Lounge on the Farm and Hay Literary Festival.