Climate Action & Sustainability

We are committed to programming and developing work that offers fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of our ecological surroundings. In 2026, we programmed CHOP by Cian Kinsella. CHOP is a dangerously funny, wildly absurd descent into fragile masculinity, environmental collapse, and the insatiable hunger for more. From 2023-2025, we commissioned and developed the project Cycles with artists Michelle Browne and Eszter Némethi, exploring our connection to place and time through language and ecology, leading to a collective 13km cycle through the Carlow landscape. We will continue to programme and support the development of work that opens the imagination and connects us to place.

We have made changes to how we deliver events:

• All our generators on-site in 2026 were run on HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) fuel instead of diesel, creating a clean air environment for our audience and hugely reducing our carbon emissions.
• We used a solar-powered battery to power the sound system for our on-street events.
• Dooley Motors provided us with an electric car for the run of the 2026 festival, allowing us to do pick-ups and drop-offs without any emissions.
• All the bar cups provided were compostable, and compost bins were placed by the bar.
• We offered separate bins for waste, recycling and compost.
• We encouraged all our vendors to provide compostable foodware and avoid food waste.
• We are tracking our emissions using a carbon calculator provided by Carlow business Vision Green.

What can you do?

Please consider:

• Using public transport, or walk or cycle to our events. You can find out about bus and train timetables and how to get to Carlow here
• Bringing reusable foodware like keep cups
• Choosing vegetarian or vegan options
• Donating to Carlow Arts Festival to support our continued actions in sustainability