Sustainability

Rock im Park isn’t just about unforgettable live moments, it’s also about taking responsibility for our environment and society. That’s why we’re constantly trying to make the festival more sustainable. Starting in 2025, we’re taking things a step further by launching a dedicated sustainability team and implementing strategic sustainability management in line with DIN ISO 20121.

Our focus: Less waste, more green energy, climate-friendly mobility and a festival environment that’s inclusive for everyone. Here, you’ll find out what we’ve already accomplished and what goals we’ve set for 2025. And because change works best when we do it together: Send us your ideas to sustainability@rock-im-park.com! Together, we’ll make Rock im Park future-ready.

Goals for 2025

1. Sustainability Management

Starting 2025, Rock im Park will be supported by a dedicated sustainability team with external consultancy. A key milestone is the implementation of a sustainable event management system based on DIN ISO 20121. This internationally recognized standard provides organizers and businesses with clear guidelines on how to plan and run events in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable way. Certification under this standard demonstrates that sustainability is an essential part of our event planning and operations.

What's planned for 2025:

• Stakeholder analysis and prioritization of key areas for action
• Certification process with independent consultancy to ensure transparency and quality
• Close collaboration with Rock am Ring to efficiently implement sustainability measures

2. Climate-Friendly Mobility

Rock im Park is committed to eco-friendly travel options. Thanks to our partnership with public transportation services, the percentage of Green Camping visitors who travel sustainably has already increased significantly – from 13.5% in 2022 to 26.8% in 2024. To further reduce environmental impact, we’re optimizing the use of construction vehicles and increasingly turning to e-mobility. Electrification of utility vehicles continues to be evaluated – in 2024, up to 20% of our fleet was already electric.

We are moving forward with:

• Free bicycle parking to promote sustainable travel
• Increased communication around climate-friendly travel options
• Further expansion of Green Camping
• 80% of staff scooters are already electric; increased use of bicycles planned
• Gradual electrification of utility vehicles
• Use of CO₂-reduced HVO100 diesel for non-replaceable combustion engines
• Optimized route planning to reduce emissions

3. Sustainable Catering

Our catering partner (GTB Gastro Team Bremen) focuses on environmentally friendly solutions such as reusable cups and a plastic-free food court. The use of single-use plastic is completely banned at our food stands.

Our measures:

• CO₂ labeling of food items
• Expansion of vegetarian and vegan options
• Elimination of single-use plastic, replaced with alternatives made from renewable raw materials

4. Green Energy Supply

Rock im Park is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and increasingly turning to sustainable alternatives, including innovative solutions to reduce energy and improve efficiency.

What we are going to implement:

• Predominant use of certified green electricity
• Diesel generators used only for emergency backup
• Solar-powered lighting at toilets and waste stations
• Creation of a climate balance sheet as a basis for strategically reducing fossil fuel usage

5. Waste Reduction & Recycling

Rock im Park aims to reduce waste volumes by 5% annually. In 2024, the per capita waste was already down to 0.76 kg – significantly below the German national average of 1.5 kg per day (source: German Environment Agency).

That's happening:

• Ban on Tetra Paks and single-use bottles in the event area
• • Ban on single-use plastics across the entire festival grounds
  • 100% reusable cups and expanded use of reusable dishware
  • Installation of water refill stations to encourage reusable bottles
  • Awareness campaigns on waste reduction

• Detailed waste analysis for ongoing optimization
• More collection points and separate food waste collection for biogas production

6. Campingplatz & Green Camping

Green Camping continues to grow – a win-win that not only provides a quieter atmosphere but also promotes resource-conscious behavior.

Our measures for 2025:

• Awareness campaigns for sustainable camping
• Promotion of reusable camping gear
• Collaboration with retailers to promote sustainable products
• Partnership with ‘LEBENS-mittel-RETTEN & mehr e.V.’ for the redistribution of unused food
• Increased number of recycling stations at campsites
• Installation of additional urinals to prevent wild urination and use of eco-friendly high-pressure cleaning instead of chemical toilets
• Promotion of environmentally friendly hygiene products for cleaner wastewater
• Further expansion of Green Camping areas and partnerships with environmental initiatives
• Optimization of waste collection points to improve sorting efficiency

7. Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Social Sustainability

Rock im Park stands for a festival culture that is fair, inclusive, and safe. We’re committed to both environmental and social sustainability and work closely with NGOs to uphold these values. This year, we are developing a Code of Conduct with experts in the fields of diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure our principles are not only written down but actively practiced in our daily operations. We aim to raise awareness about the importance of diversity and to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and respected.

Our measures for 2025:

• On-site Awareness Team & designated Safer Spaces to foster a positive festival culture
• Collaboration with NGOs and organizations to promote social sustainability
• Code of Conduct for Diversity & Inclusion to actively support representation and equality
• Further development of our accessibility concept

Together for a More Sustainable Rock im Park!

Our journey toward greater sustainability has already achieved significant progress. Now, we want to keep moving forward – together with you! Got ideas or suggestions? We'd love to hear them: sustainability@rock-im-park.com

Rock im Park stands for shared experiences, for music, freedom and respect. Our festival is a place where everyone should feel welcome. To achieve this, a considerate and respectful interaction is essential.

This is what we stand for:

I. Taking Responsibility

A respectful and mindful approach toward one another is the foundation of a safe and positive festival experience.

• Respect: Please treat everyone with respect.
• Thoughtfulness: Look out for each other and take responsibility for everyone’s well-being. This includes respecting your own boundaries as well as those of others.

II. Mindful Behavior

Mindfulness creates an environment where everyone feels safe and comfortable.

• Consent: Physical and verbal interaction must always be based on mutual agreement and should never be taken for granted.
• Communication: If something is unclear - ask again. Better to check than to assume. - “No means no.”
• Awareness & Support: Look out for one another. If you experience or witness any form of boundary-crossing behavior, do not hesitate to speak up or contact the designated support services (e.g., WhatsApp hotline).

III. No Place for Discrimination

Demeaning or exclusionary behavior has no place at our festival. This includes comments or actions targeting someone’s appearance, gender, origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, or social and economic status.

Anyone who disregards these principles and violates our community standards may be excluded from the event.

Let’s work together to make Rock im Park a place where everyone can celebrate freely and feel welcome!