The ESRC Festival of Social Science sponsored event held on March 17th attracted almost one hundred students and others with an interest in sustainable events. They witnessed an invited panel debate the following question with the help of expert witnesses: In an attempt to reduce carbon emissions, should the council stop subsidising festivals and events? The panel consisted of Prof. Max Farrar (Chair), Ms Dinah Clark, Leeds Initiative, Mr Malcolm Lynch, Wrigleys Solicitors LLP, Leeds, Dr Karl Spracklen, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leon Sealey-Huggins, University of Leeds, Anna Tryznova, UKCEM. Witnesses included Councillor John Procter, Executive Board Member for Leisure, Leeds City Council, Zulfi Karim and Sharon Ward from the private sector and Anne Owen from the University of York and various academics from Leeds Metropolitan University. There was broad agreement that community events should continue to be supported. Support for other types of events may involve complex assessments of the audience attracted and the practices adopted by organisers.
